30 quick-fire project management tips you’re sure to benefit from

As a project manager, your work life is very fast paced and you are going to be interacting with a lot of people. No matter whether you are considering a career in project management or you are about to start your first job in this capacity, these quick-fire tips should help you, whether you are an apprentice or an old hand at project management.

  1. You are only as good as your team, so make sure you assess skills and experience carefully when choosing your project team.
  2. Project management training is important throughout all stages of your career. You should never stop learning.
  3. Don’t be too proud to ask for help.
  4. Master the art of delegation. You can’t do everything yourself.
  5. Taking on a project management apprenticeship is a good way to get your foot on the career ladder.
  6. You must always plan for risks. Things rarely go as you intend them to.
  7. Be honest and transparent at all times. Don’t lie if the project is behind the deadline.
  8. Assign tasks based on skills rather than giving them out to the first person available.
  9. Don’t favour team members. It will disrupt the harmony of the group.
  10. Choose the right communication method for the subject being discussed. You don’t need to hold a meeting for everything. Sometimes a short email, quick video chat or phone call will do just as well.
  11. Don’t forget to say thank you. It costs nothing yet makes a huge difference to your team members and appreciated team members do tend to stay loyal.
  12. Create a list of tasks to complete for the following day before you leave the office.
  13. Set a period throughout the day to check emails, rather than responding as and when they come in.
  14. Don’t waste time.  A project manager’s job is never finished.
  15. Always listen to what people are saying, rather than simply waiting for your moment to speak.
  16. Review every project so you can learn for the next one. Even if something has gone wrong.
  17. Deliver feedback based on the person you are talking to and the nature of what you are going to say.
  18. Agree overspends up front.
  19. Don’t overpromise and under deliver.
  20. Don’t make assumptions. Deal with facts and ensure there is a solid reason for the decisions that are made.
  21. Evidence is everything.
  22. Fail to plan, and you will definitely plan to fail.
  23. Keep open lines of communication with everyone involved in the project.
  24. Make use of project management software to streamline your processes.
  25. Get to grips with change management. There are bound to be changes throughout the project.
  26. Accept that you can be wrong at times, and admit when you are. Your team will respect you for it.
  27. Be mindful of scoop creep. When a change is requested, assess the impact on quality, time and budget and relay this to the client before proceeding.
  28. Set a time for meetings and stick to it. No one likes tardiness.
  29. Only invite people to meetings that are impacted by the outcome.
  30. Respect the cultures and national holidays of your remote team members – they will thank you for it.

So there you have it – 30 quick tips to make your project management job easier. Why not try some of these tips out for yourself – you might be surprised at the difference it makes to your next project, and the way you feel about project management in general.

Julie Lord

I have a Masters degree in PPE (UK) and now research and write as a freelancer on a variety of subjects such as personal finance, home improvements and work-life balance.

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