There’s a world of difference between projects that are taken on and carried out willy-nilly, and those that are planned with precision and finesse. If you want your project to run smoothly, hit targets and deadlines and achieve your goal, you’re going to have to put in the groundwork! Being a super successful project manager isn’t just down to talent. Follow our top 5 tips for a smooth, successful project.

Plan Your Project
Putting time and thought into the planning of the project is the first and most critical step. While it might be tempting to plough ahead when enthusiasm is at its peak, retreat and have a think about realistic timelines and goals and set definitive deadlines for each.

It’s All About The People
Having the right team in place to implement the project is another necessity when planning. The right people with the right skills assigned to a project will ensure a project is carried out as smoothly as possible.

Communicating With The Team
Having an in-depth discussion regarding responsibilities, expectations and deadlines is the next step. Have everyone’s roles laid out clearly and plainly, making sure everyone understands what’s expected of them. Have brief update meetings on a daily or weekly basis to ensure the project’s progress and so that any problems that arise are addressed on time.

Organize, Prioritize and Be Flexible
Having a management tool in place can be invaluable, allowing a clean, no-nonsense and organized approach to managing a project. Get the biggest jobs done first – that way, should issues arise, you will have time to iron them out. Everything may not go perfectly to plan, but being ready and alert to change will ensure everything runs smoothly.

Stay Motivated and Keep Your Eye on The Prize
Keep you and your team motivated by giving them regular updates and providing constructive feedback on how their work is going. While giving them the autonomy to get creative will lead to a more effective and enthusiastic team. Do remember that as an essential part of project management, keeping your eye on the end result is the key to keeping things moving.

PMP® Certification made easy with MTC
http://mtceduhub.com/smart-project-manager/