Project Management Pitfalls to Avoid
Over the last nine weeks we have written a series of blog posts highlighting nine major project management pitfalls. All projects suffer from three basic constraints:
- Cost of the project
- Time to test and implement
- Project Scope, or more importantly scope creep
We have discussed real-world issues that we all have to deal with, how we can avoid these issues in our business and complete our projects on time and on budget. The project failure points were not in any particular order and for completion we have summarised them all in one post. Enjoy!
Project Management Pitfall #1 – Inaccurate Scheduling
When we sit down and start building a project, we need to sit down with the SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) to solidify our estimated times for each portion of the project. You really need to stress to the people giving you the estimates that they need to be accurate. Read More
Project Management Pitfall #2 – Lack of Project Management Tools
Get the right project management tool. If you have a large project team of 20+ members with projects that span multiple cost centers or some other outsourced vendors and freelancers. You want to consider choosing a project management tool that provides the ability to function over multiple, non-standard platforms and has a Web-based interface or online portal. Read More
Project Mamagement Pitfall #3 – Assuming for the SME’s Role
You’re the project manager, you’re not the developer, software engineer or the network expert. Provide your project team with accurate and clear expectations that have been given to you by the stakeholders or project champions. Your job is not to know how to do their job – your job is to deliver the expectations to the experts and see the project through to completion. Read More
Project Managment Pitfall #4 – Being Too Passive
Be the Alpha Male or Female — take charge and be assertive. If someone is not meeting your needs, remove them from the team. Don’t worry about hurting feelings or walking on eggshells around members of your team. Do what the role calls for and take charge and manage the project. Read More
Project Management Pitfall #5 – Making Assumptions
As project managers and team leaders we need to ensure that everything is spelled out clearly and concisely for each team member. Before a meeting ends, call out each team member by name and ask the simple question: “Are there any questions or concerns?” Read More
Project Management Pitfall #6 – Failing to Follow Up
Walk the team floor and make sure you constantly remind everyone of delivery dates and project goals. As project managers, it’s up to us to emphasise the priority of assigned goals and follow up often to ensure they are getting done correctly and on-time. Read More
Project Management Pitfall #7 – Scope Creep
Every single project I’ve ever worked on suffered from scope creep in one form or another. Remember to define the project specifically with clear goals. Understand the Quality requirements presented to you by the stakeholders and project champions and stay on target. Read More
Project Management Pitfall #8 – No Pilot Phase
Pilot your project like you want it to fail. Pick the worst-case scenarios, pilot the project, and don’t be afraid to pull the plug when it fails. Read More
Project Management Pitfall #9 – Incomplete Sign-off
Handle the project sign-off as if you are preparing for a day in court. Get real signatures and real paper from each stakeholder and your project champion. Celebrate the project completion if you have a small budget for it, and be sure to file the paperwork. Read More
Here at JMR Consulting UK Ltd, we have worked very successfully with some of our major clients to deliver fairly complex business projects and we are experts in robust project management disciplines. We promote the use of project management best practices on all our projects. If you want advice or help with your projects or project tools and software, please contact us. To find out more about how we can help you with project management, please get in touch by using the contact form, sending an email to info@jmruk.com or calling us on 0845 052 0900.
Tags: project management, project management lessons, project management pitfall