Setting a Goal to Plan the Work
How to define goals for creating and maintaining the plan
As a project initiates, or even prior to initiation, an agreement of how the plan will be created and maintained needs to be defined. This is different than developing project goals. It is also different than defining the project methodology. Invest in setting, communicating, executing, and committing to goals for planning itself.
Some barriers for setting plan goals include:
-The people who contribute to the plan don't understand their role
-At the early stages of a project, there may not be a 'project' at all and therefore a lack of clarity that something needs to be planned
-A bridge between higher level strategy and the need for a plan may not be obvious
As a project initiates, or even prior to initiation, an agreement of how the plan will be created and maintained needs to be defined. This is different than developing project goals. It is also different than defining the project methodology. Invest in setting, communicating, executing, and committing to goals for planning itself.
Some barriers for setting plan goals include:
-The people who contribute to the plan don't understand their role
-At the early stages of a project, there may not be a 'project' at all and therefore a lack of clarity that something needs to be planned
-A bridge between higher level strategy and the need for a plan may not be obvious
-Competing priorities prevent the right people from allocating time to plan
-Budgets do not account for the time and effort it takes to plan
-Urgency and eagerness to work quickly may cause proper planning to be skipped altogether
-Budgets do not account for the time and effort it takes to plan
-Urgency and eagerness to work quickly may cause proper planning to be skipped altogether
Most project methodologies provide guidelines for initiating and controlling the project. Reinforce these methods with a Pledge to develop the plan.
Communicating Goals
Setting a Goal to Work the Plan
Finally, a commitment to how actual work against the plan will commence is needed. This is the foundation of a project team's ability to determine progress against the plan and the Estimate to Complete (ETC). This should fall in line with the project methodology, including a clear agreement on what part of the methodology is included / excluded.
Communicating Goals
How to build a team to define goals for a plan
Once plan goals are agreed, it is important to communicate the goals and ensure impacted people understand their roles. This goes a long way to breaking through planning barriers. As part of project initiation, you should have key stakeholders, contributors, and decision makers defined. This is the team that needs to understand plan goals. A face-to-face 'kick off' planning meeting is best. Second best is a real-time video or web conference. Plan goals should not be communicated in email exclusively. Use email as a follow up reminder.
Once plan goals are agreed, it is important to communicate the goals and ensure impacted people understand their roles. This goes a long way to breaking through planning barriers. As part of project initiation, you should have key stakeholders, contributors, and decision makers defined. This is the team that needs to understand plan goals. A face-to-face 'kick off' planning meeting is best. Second best is a real-time video or web conference. Plan goals should not be communicated in email exclusively. Use email as a follow up reminder.
How to define goals for executing work defined by the plan
Once goals are set for creating and maintaining the plan, set goals to define how to actually work the plan. These goals should be agreed in advance of work commencing and may fall in line with the chosen project methodology. Even if a methodology is available and agreed, goals for committing to exactly how the project will (or will not) follow the methodology is critical.
Committing GoalsOnce goals are set for creating and maintaining the plan, set goals to define how to actually work the plan. These goals should be agreed in advance of work commencing and may fall in line with the chosen project methodology. Even if a methodology is available and agreed, goals for committing to exactly how the project will (or will not) follow the methodology is critical.
How to agree to goals to work the plan
Finally, a commitment to how actual work against the plan will commence is needed. This is the foundation of a project team's ability to determine progress against the plan and the Estimate to Complete (ETC). This should fall in line with the project methodology, including a clear agreement on what part of the methodology is included / excluded.
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DeleteTag: PM203A55. Let me share all of you about #5 Tips for Project Management Success,, I hope you enjoy it
1. Plan your day using time management techniques
As a project manager, time management skills are essential because you are dealing with a wide range of tasks that demand a quick turnaround time. Planning your day will go a long way in keeping you organized and increasing your productivity. Assist your task planning by using project management software which helps you track the work of you and your team.
If you are not very tech savvy, a simple to-do list can also be a great organizational tool. Prioritize your most important tasks by putting them at the top of the list and less important ones at the bottom. Having a visual plan of your daily tasks helps to keep you on track and aware of time.
Related post: Free ebook 104 secrets to become a great project manager
2. Include stakeholders in important project conversations
While you will have plenty of responsibilities regarding the project, don’t neglect your clients.
Good communication is essential is keeping both parties informed of project progression, curtailing scope creep, and apprised of changing requirements. Some clients may have different expectations when it comes to communication, so make sure to establish the frequency and type of communication (like emails, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations) at the beginning of your project.
Establishing communication expectations early helps alleviate stakeholder uncertainty about communication frequency and delivery.
3. Regularly communicate with your team
Daily team communication helps keep misunderstandings and unclear requirements under control. Keeping your team informed in every step of the project is essential to project management success.
For example, a study published by Procedia Technology found that good communication skills were the cornerstone of project management. The study examined over 300 “construction project managers, architects, construction managers, engineers and quantity surveyors” and their successes and failures on various construction projects.
4. Anticipate project setbacks
Even the best-laid plans often go awry.
Remember that even with a high amount of planning and attention to detail, your project may still encounter some challenges. Pay attention to complaints from stakeholders or colleagues, and other warning signs, like a missed deadline or cost overrun, that there may be a problem.
Preventing a crisis will keep your project running smoothly, save you a lot of time, and keep you, your team, and your stakeholders confident in progressing with the project.
Unfortunately not every complication can be avoided. Crisis management skills are essential for dealing with the unexpected. Project managers need to be flexible and pragmatic. Improvise and make sharp decisions when needed.
Related post: 92 free project management templates
5. Stay focused on the details
A common problem project managers encounter is having the project aims not aligned with the organization’s objectives. A great project manager will strategize a plan for the project to lead back to the overall success of the business.
Know your project’s scope by heart and avoid wandering outside of the project’s requirements. It’s too easy to get lost in minor details and forget what your focus is, so a well-planned project scope is essential for success.
And final, you should use KPI to measure effectiveness of the project, here are full list: 76 project management KPIs
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ReplyDeleteVery nice article.I really liked your description regarding how to set a project goal.Keep posting.
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