A staggering amount of projects go over-budget or exceed deadlines. A closer look at these faulty projects will show that they failed on several fronts – from lack of professional planning to poor communication levels at all stages in the project. This article will share 6 tips to make sure all projects at your organization are successfully completed within deadlines.
Step 1: Study the project thoroughly
It’s important you learn about the project and the significance attached to it by the client. This will help you answer the following questions:
• What is the goal of the project and how big is it?
• How will this project benefit a client?
• Where does this project stand as far as your organization goes?
• Are there adequate resources available to complete this project?
Make sure you have satisfactory answers to the questions above before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Prepare a concrete project plan
This is the most important phase in a project. A detailed plan will list important milestones in your project along with members assigned and their roles. Make sure you assign generous deadlines that give your team quality breathing space. Get the client’s approval on your plan.
After this, hold sessions with your team and the senior management to explain your plan in detail. The plan will provide all members in your team a clear idea of what is expected of them. Ensure you don’t deviate from the original plan and you will be on the path to successful project completion.
Step 3: Daily monitoring of work assigned after project begins
Managing a project is no easy task. It requires a lot of dedication and effort. You will have to monitor tasks on a daily basis. This will ensure that you are not lagging behind in any task. It will also help you assign more resources to a task that’s taking longer to complete than usual.
Document every step of the project – it will come in handy for future projects.
Step 4: Keep the client informed on a predetermined basis
Reach an understanding on how you would update the client about project developments. Sending two emails in a week is ideal. Be honest with the client and provide him/her with all kinds of updates – positive and negative.
Buy time and extend a deadline by consulting with the client whenever the need arises.
Step 5: Perform testing at regular intervals
You will have to test the project’s deliverables at regular intervals to make sure everything is going according to plan. This will help you avoid heartache at the closing stages of your project. Perform remedial action immediately if you find anything amiss during testing.
Step 6: Final project delivery
The most anticipated moment in a project is its completion! It can be a moment of immense joy or disappointment. Make sure the final solution meet’s the client’s expectations. Follow Steps 1-5 religiously to ensure everything ends smoothly.
Every project offers lessons to be learned. Absorb the positives and learn from the negatives so that you are better prepared for your next project.
Author Bio:- Hi, I am Susan Smith. By profession I have been in the promotional product business for the last 7 years now. Currently I am in charge of Promo Direct online marketing & promotion. Promo Direct brings nearly 20 years of experience into this industry.
