It’s true that every project has its unique objective and the purpose of one project is not similar to another. They vary from each other in terms of cost, magnitude, purpose and timeline, yet all of them have some common features and if you can explore the lessons learned from one project you can utilize them in another perspective, provided that the circumstances permit you to do so.
Thus, here are some project management best practices that have been learned over the years and can be utilized for years to come.
Best practices of project management
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- The team members should be dedicated towards the goal of the project. It is the skills and strengths of the individuals involved at any project that will decide whether a project will be a successful one or not. All of them must be motivated to achieve the project goals.
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- The project manager plays a vital role as he or she should have enough knowledge about their team members. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each member will equip the manager for handling any work by assigning the right task to the right person.
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- There is huge difference between a champion team and a team of champions! While the former will lead to a successful project in the latter one ego conflicts will stop the team from achieving the project goal.
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- It’s necessary to know who are the decision makers. Although such individuals may not be available always but having communication with them will always pay off positively.
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- Do not expect that top managers will always spoon feed you, rather utilize your own knowledge and skills to complete any assignment assigned to you.
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- There is no tomorrow in project management. It’s necessary to take action as soon as possible, obviously after judging all the aspects of the project.
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- One should be proactive to their approach. Just being reactive won’t work for long run success.
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- When you find that things are not going on as they were planned, one should not take heed behind excuses. Rather work on it and plan out alternatives that will help in completing the work in hand. By blaming, you just welcome hostility. Instead, think how one can make the team work.
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- Change is inevitable and be open to it. Sometimes you may find that whatever you have learned over the years of experience is not correct under specific situations.
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- Resources are important and hence know about the available resources. Just do not confine to your own team but to those too that are at discretion of others. People love to help others with the hope that they may need it too.
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- For reporting purposes, paperwork and documentation are important. However, while making decisions it is important that only data is not considered as they may change over a span of time.
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- Give attention to what your customers want. What are the objectives of the project? Before making any significant change you must consult with your customer. Make sure that customers are satisfied with each change.
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- Leaders should be respected and their decisions must be followed. If you do not like any idea and feel that you have better ideas, voice your idea. However, still if the action is decided then do not grudge over it instead work hard, as the project objective is most important.
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- All known facts must be kept in mind. But do not try to fit them to nay situation. They may seem normal for any situation but it is not necessary that the fact you are thinking about will fit to the
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- Take risks. Calculated risks must be taken as although it is true that ships are safe in harbor, but then they are not made for that!
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- Make your support line, especially to which you can turn when things go wrong.
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- For your advantage it is always important that you use modern technology and time tested skills.
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- Do not keep information to yourself only. Share with others who need it. When shared with the right person the information can be utilized properly for making the project a successful one.
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- Communication is vital for success in any project. Good communication may stop a failure and convert it into success. Whatever the mistake is, recovery is possible provided that there is proper communication.
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- Do not rush into decisions blindly. Prior to decision making it is necessary that everything is judged properly and then decision is taken. Decision taken after proper thoughts and judgment will stop many unwanted circumstances in future.
Conclusion
These are just few project management best practices that will help you complete any project, whatever is the nature of the project. If everything is documented properly for future team reference it will help others too to complete the projects.