How To Be A Top Notch Project Manager
Sunday, July 28, 2019, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
When you accept the job of project manager, you have to be absolutely sure and 100% clear of your role of being one.
Maybe you are seasoned manager in general but as a first-time project manager, you, with the help of your senior manager, must define what your function and role ought to be.
The ultimate goal obviously is to deliver the project on time, within budget and to the customer’s satisfaction.
You must strive to be a top-notch project manager.
Therefore, you need to specify clearly upfront what must be delivered by the project. You need to produce it within the schedule and budget assigned.
To make the deliverable possible and on time within budget, you have to be responsible as a top-notch project manager for the following roles as well.
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Recruit the best
We all know that great projects are delivered by a great team. Your role is to recruit the best people you can find, within your organization as well as from outside.
Make sure that their skill sets don’t completely overlap one another. They must be perfectly complimentary in their experience and abilities to do their individual jobs satisfactorily.
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Motivate and lead
You need to motivate and lead so that everyone working on the project knows what is to be done. Make sure that every task is done on time.
Have contingency plans in the event of schedule slippage so you can get back on track. Be positive and supportive towards your team so they know you care. You need to lead by example and motivate others to do the same.
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Manage project budget
Make sure that you don’t spend more than the project is budgeted for. Carefully list every expense and make sure they are budgeted upfront.
There may be some expenses that are not budgeted. Tell your client as soon as possible to avoid complications down the road.
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Control change
When you define the scope of the project upfront and get it signed off by the client, you must resist to change rules in the middle of the game, so to speak.
If it’s absolutely and positively necessary to make the changes, then update your schedule and budget and sign it off by the client.
Many project managers are beaten up by clients if the project is late or over budget because of the changes. So control change when you see it.
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Communicate
You must leave channels of communication open between you, your seniors and the client. They will know if the project is on time or late when you communicate with the concerned parties regularly.
Communicate the project status to your team, project sponsor and client every week of the project life cycle. Always document the status accurately.
In a Nutshell
If you want to be a top-notch project manager, you must accommodate the above roles to further your experience and good standing within and outside your organization.
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This column is © copyright to www.Method123.com and originally appeared in their weekly project management tip newsletter.
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