Project management can be considered almost an art. From start to finish, multiple moving parts and people involved can make it difficult to keep on track. Most projects go bad because there is a breakdown in communication between team members or there’s a lack of planning on the part of the project manager. So how can you make sure your projects are completed without a hitch? We’ve come up with the top three project management mistakes and our advice on how to avoid them.
Mistake No 1: Putting the wrong manager in charge.
One project manager isn’t going to be the right manager for every project. Project managers are often chosen based on their availability for the project — not necessarily their skill set. Putting the wrong manager on a project can mean failure even before it gets off the ground.
The solution: Instead of taking the easy way out, really look at the available project managers and chose the one that has the skills to get the project done right.
Mistake No. 2: Lacking communication.
Communication can be one of the most important factors in successfully managing and executing a project. Often times, when there isn’t enough talking happening, misunderstandings arise. As a result, deadlines are missed, time is misused, projects fall apart and dollars are wasted.
The solution: Project managers should have a set date and time for the team to meet each week. During these meetings, everyone should come prepared to give a detailed update as to where things stand from the week prior and their plans for the week ahead. Doing so will keep everyone on the same page and aware of others’ priorities.
Mistake No. 3: Micromanaging.
Don’t babysit your employees. No one likes to have a manager at their desk every moment of the day asking for updates.
The solution: Rather than constantly checking up on your team, use software that can allow employees to proactively provide updates and remind them of tasks and deadlines. This will allow you to take a more hands off approach to project management while still ensuring that things will stay on track or alert you when deadlines are missed.
Mistakes are inevitable, but by being aware of the most common ones and putting processes in place to avoid them, you can make sure your project runs smoothly and on time.
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