How to Manage a Project
With Project Managers heading up our own executive search processes, we know the essential role the Project Manager plays in determining the outcome of a project. The Project Manager is ultimately responsible for the project and held accountable for the outcome. A Project Manager needs to be organized, clear, knowledgeable, and progressive.
About.com “How to Manage a Project” by John Reh offers 13 recommendations on how to manage a project:
Define the Scope
Determine Available Resources
Check the Timeline
Assemble Your Project Team
List the Big Steps
List the Smaller Steps
Develop a Preliminary Plan
Create Your Baseline Plan
Request Project Adjustments
Work Your Plan, But Don’t Die For It
Monitor Your Team’s Progress
Document Everything
Keep Everyone Informed
When managing a project the leader needs to execute direction to all team members in order to give them clear job duties and deadlines; the whole group needs to be informed of the goals, deadlines, and projected outcome. The optimal work environment is created by the Project Manager to produce team members comfortable and confident to express their concerns and ideas. The Project Manager needs to know who is working on which sections of the project and offer guidance and feedback along the way. The Project Manager is responsible for maintaining and keeping the team focused on the big picture for the project.
Although the task of a Project Manager may seem daunting by the expectations put on them, there is great reward in the managing position. When you have a hardworking team contributes to the project, you can have a smooth flowing process that delivers quality results.
