Simple Project Management

There are lots of courses and qualifications for would-be project managers and it would be impossible to detail all the possible processes and paperwork in 300 words. However there are some key principles…

Strategy can be summarised as 1) Where are we now 2) Where do we want to be 3) How do we get there.

Inevitably Projects are a means of implementation: either defining or delivering the above. What is needed first is a clear understanding and communication of the issues. There is no point in going quickly if it is in the wrong direction!

However there is little to be gained from too much analysis. Visions are great, but they need tasks, time- table and management to become reality. The key to success is having some form of structure.

Simplistically a project should have stages: Beginning (initiation), Middle (implementation) and End (closure) and will have various reports and checks to ensure who does what, how and when. As the saying goes: “What gets measured gets done”.

The most challenging aspects of change is usually due to a lack of resources: time, money, or people and the people element might be due to competence, capacity or commitment. Projects must be about empowering people: it is not sufficient to give someone a new system or process, you much teach them how to use it. However teaching can become preaching (and incur resistance) if you cannot answer the stakeholders question: “What’s in it for me?”.

If there is no motivation or benefit to change them plonking a new system or process onto someone’s desk is going to have disappointing results. The truth is that real success comes from engagement of all the stakeholders, winning “hearts and minds” in order to secure the right talent and temperament for team success.

Please use the comments box below to let me know, what you think, and how you feel about this?

Tim Rogers
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Skype - timhjrogers