It doesn’t matter if you are working as part of a team developing a new internal software or a construction crew helping build large new buildings, project management is a crucial step to your success. In fact, the construction industry, in particular, is growing quite rapidly. In 2017, they added over 200,000 jobs.
Managing projects across teams of people can be challenging and exciting. Let’s take a look at some of the most powerful tips we have learned that translate well in any industry or country.
Understand Every Facet of the Project
This is the most crucial step to a successful project. Let’s take an example from everyday life to get a better idea of what is going on here. Most people don’t bother to plan out their day or week. Want to know why? Because they “don’t have time.” However, study after study shows that daily and weekly planning increases productivity, allowing people to get more done in less time! It is estimated that daily planning can give a person up to two hours of extra time in the day.
The same is true for successful project management. Understanding a project inside and out before launching into the actual work can not only speed up project completion time, but it also helps keep everyone on the same page and moving towards the same goal, which increases motivation and moral.
Find a Qualified Project Manager
Outsourcing your project management needs can be the best thing you can do for your project. Having a qualified project manager to oversee the entire project will ensure that all of the pieces are progressing as they should be. A qualified project manager will also be able to think critically and overcome roadblocks and obstacles as they come up, pivoting the project as necessary. This will free up your time to continue focusing on the big picture for your organization as the project progresses.
Define and Celebrate Critical Milestones
This is especially true for longer projects that will take more time and energy. Defining critical milestones will help give people who are working on the project small goals to work towards throughout the process. Celebrate these milestones as they are completed and recognize the employees and members of the group who have helped to make that milestone happen. One of the best ways to keep people having fun and engaged is by giving them clear and achievable goals to work towards and celebrating those goals when they accomplish them.
Establish Clear Lines of Communication
Having clear lines of communication is key to project management. However, the type of communication within a specific project group might be different than a traditional corporate-style communication hierarchy. For effective project management, ensure that when roadblocks or questions come up, people can quickly and easily communicate with those who have the authority within the project group to make a decision. This will keep everyone working efficiently and effectively.
Use a Project Management Tool
We are living in the 21st Century. With that comes a plethora of technology that can help make project management much more effective. Communication is key right? So use efficient tools for communication, video calls, and task and project management. Using technology can enhance your ability to effectively manage projects. In particular, having the proper project management tools is crucial to project management success.
Start your effective project management journey by contacting The Project Group Consulting today. The expert team at The Project Group Consulting has the experience, resources, and tools to ensure that your project goes as smoothly as possible.
Pamela began her professional career in the broadcast industry while attending Tarleton State University. After graduating with a B.S. in Speech Communication in 1997, she worked at several radio stations in management roles focusing on continuity, music and production as well as serving as an on-air talent continuously for more than ten years. In 2010, Pamela accepted a position as the Assistant Marketing and Development Director for the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX. Helping to promote, market and develop the City of Richardson’s performing arts center, she succeeded in implementing and managing all social media marketing as well as creating and directing a first-ever student art exhibit, further strengthening her marketing and organizational talents.
Jason Krueger is the Director of Ranch and Real Estate Development for The Project Group Consulting, LLC. Jason has been managing and developing ranches for greater than 14 years, and has extensive sales management experience in the construction industry dating back to the late 90s. He is also a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Bryant began his career at Crepaco warehouse in parts distribution and pump assembly. Then he progressed to field installation for process and ammonia systems where he oversaw welding and fitting both sanitary tubing and ammonia piping systems.He then moved to San Antonio, spent a year as a contract fabricator with H-E-B Foods working for Sanitary Welding Services. At the end of his contract he returned to the DFW area with Alloy Equipment doing installation, crew management, and scheduling. There he remained through the buyout by Statco Fabrication and Engineering, which resulted in his 25 combined years with them moving into engineering and sales departments.
With more than 25 years in the food and beverage industry and extensive experience as a project manager, Tony has planned and led multi-million dollar projects relating to system upgrades, equipment installation, water quality, validations and process improvements. Some of his areas of expertise include project planning, quality assurance, process analysis, manufacturing systems, process design and problem resolution.
Tim is an electrical and control systems engineer with more than ten years of experience in a wide variety of industries. Project experience includes working with clients in the water/wastewater fields, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food and beverage industries. Prior to his engineering work, Tim was a licensed water treatment plant operator in Texas. Tim’s strengths are process engineering, control system design, conveyor system design, and project management. He received his B. S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. In his spare time, Tim enjoys working on cars, golfing, and billiards.
Michael has thirty-five years of diversified experience in project management and engineering, equipment and systems design, and manufacturing and production. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University.