3 Ways Managers Can Excel in Project Management

3 Ways Managers Can Excel in Project Management

Every company can benefit from successful project management practices. Approximately 70 percent of corporate reports tend to fail or achieve marginal success, mainly due to the approach taken to project management, according to statistics.

For any business, implementing the right project management practices and personnel is critical to achieving success in their endeavors. On the bright side, many businesses are recognizing the value of good project management and, more importantly, the role that management plays in achieving that success.

Almost three-quarters of projects fail because management does not get involved, says Capterra. Even if you are a manager not specialized in project management, it helps to know a few tips to excel in the project management arena and set yourself (and your team) apart.

Make Risk Management A Priority For Yourself And Your Team

Being able to manage the risks your project faces guarantees the chances of your project succeeding. While most project managers tend to delegate risk management to junior teammates, it is also important that project managers know how to assess and mitigate risks during the project life cycle.

Start by clarifying the boundaries of your project and identifying any risks early on. You should also analyze and categorize these risks according to their threat levels before crafting a contingency plan for each – regardless of their perceived threat level.

Related: 5 Ways Project Management Helps

Get Your Team – And Yourself – The Right Training 

While there are a whole host of project management tools on the market today to help any manager, there are still several key skills and methodologies you will need to become familiar with for successful project management. Professional short and project management courses like the Project Management Professional or Prince2 Agile course can provide valuable insight into important aspects of project management like cost management, risk management, and quality management. 

These courses can provide much-needed training for your team members and yourself, as a manager with limited project management skills. It is also important that you provide adequate support for the employees that undertakes project management training such as mentorship and access to professional resources, including the PMP practice exam and other sample questions and study aids. In PMI’s annual survey, it was found that 68 percent of businesses said they outsourced or contracted their project managers. Providing access to project management training courses like these can help your business keep these roles in-house and achieve better project delivery qualities at the same time.

Invest In Tools For Better Resource And Time Management

With the right project management tools, the process can be much easier and more efficient. Time management is one of the key components of delivering a successful project. Mismanagement of time by yourself or your team members can not only lead to delays in completion but can also increase your project costs. The same goes for resource management. Inefficient resource allocation leads to wastage, inefficiencies, and higher costs. 

To ensure you have efficient time and resource management, it is recommended that you have a clear schedule and the right project management tools. Some of the main tools used for time management during projects include Scoro, Clarizen, and Replicon. Finally, team leaders should ensure that all team members are well trained in the use of any project management software before beginning the project.

Also, be sure to establish clear guidelines for communication within your team. Having clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and communication guidelines eliminates any chance of miscommunication or assumptions. It also helps to optimize project timelines and provide directions for your team members.

Project management skills are not just for project managers anymore. These skills are proving to be a vital skill set for any manager in today’s workplace. Whether it is for an immediate project or one in the upcoming future, you can be guaranteed to enjoy the benefits.