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Blog
Jo-Ann Whatling

There is no secret that guarantees success. When it comes to the success or failure of projects, it all depends on how well they’re managed. Read this blog to discover what makes for successful project management.

Open communication is key

Communication is one of the vital elements that determine the success of a project, it ensures that the project runs smoothly and achieves its goals.

Having open channels of communication gives everyone the freedom to share progress updates and ensures all parties are informed – avoiding confusion and conflict. It’s also a great way to share ideas and suggestions to make sure the team is working efficiently.

It’s not just the responsibility of the managers and leaders, everyone in the project must be engaged in communication. This is a great way to build trust in a team which in turn allows them to all work together strongly.

Outlining Scope and Project Objectives

A project scope is a summary of the project, so everyone involved understands the goals and work required. It is the central pillar that holds projects together.

It is crucial to clearly define the project scope in a single statement and have it in writing. A strong project scope statement should cover the following:

  • Project requirements
  • Project deliverables
  • Intended outcome/result

Communicating Roles and Expectations

To prevent conflicts, you need to define what role each person has. This should be clarified early on to ensure effective communication and conflict management. Listed below are some key figures across projects.

Project Manager

A project manager will:

  • Set up a framework for activities
  • Negotiate with the higher-ups
  • Set milestones
  • Ensures they are met with proper budget management.

Team Leader

The team leader serves as a model for subordinates to follow. They supervise all activities, identify problems, and provide solutions. Their team management strategies and conflict management skills should be par excellence.

Team Members

It’s the team members’ responsibility to achieve the project’s overall objectives and work on specific deliverables. A team equipped with expansive knowledge and expertise makes a dream team!

Monitoring Progress

Good leadership is demonstrated when progress is carefully monitored, ensuring minimum obstacles and staying updated on the team’s performance. This involves the following:

  • Quality control on tasks and deliverables
  • Updating the Project Manager about important deadlines
  • Encouraging transparency and accountability by communicating risks and solutions

Setting Up Project Reviews

This stage comes after the project has concluded. To conduct project reviews, several aspects need to be considered:

Transparency

Honest feedback should be encouraged by everyone involved.

Objectivity

Focus on areas where performance is lacking and come up with strategies to improve.

Motivation

Highlight the positive aspects. Note the areas which contributed most towards success and see the factors behind them. Work to sustain those factors.

Conclusion

Ultimately, effective leadership and efficient team collaboration decide the fate of all projects. Always ensure there is open communication between everyone and that everyone is working together to achieve the objectives of the project.

To see how we can help your business today, get in touch with one of our friendly account managers, who will be more than happy to help!

 

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