When it comes to project management, a PM’s resolutions are no different than any other person's resolutions. In the ever evolving world of project management, it’s important to stay on top of your game, ahead of your deadlines and in sync with your project teams. But of course, like Murphy’s Law, ‘anything that can go wrong will go wrong.’
Bad times don’t last - goodbye negativity, hello abundant PM universe! We want to help you do more than just set your goals, we want to help you accomplish them.
Attitude is Everything
via GIPHY
If you are tired of the hard-knock life of failed projects and missed deadlines, it’s time for a change. Think of it as a domino effect – you can either stop the dominoes from falling or you can sit and watch in frustration. Attitude is everything and it only takes a little willingness to make the change.
How to accomplish this:
Learn to accept the things that you cannot change, put your game face on and move on. A positive attitude will not only help you let go of the bad episode, but it will also give you a clear head to point out the good and move forward with your projects. With a good attitude, you’ll find yourself being more productive and more fun to be around, thus creating a perfectly flowing harmonious working atmosphere. People want to be around good energy, productive people, so when you succeed, your team succeeds. Feeling the good vibes yet?
Get Organized
via GIPHY
Another thing to let go – clutter. We all have different workstyles and ways to function in our own space. However, getting rid of the extra clutter is also a good way to get rid of the mind clutter. Overwhelming desks equal overwhelming stress.
How to accomplish this:
Clean out your desk or your entire office. Throw away what you don’t need, file away what you do need and watch how much less overwhelmed you feel when working at your desk.
Plan Ahead
via GIPHY
The best way to stay on top of your game is to plan ahead. Project managers are experts at planning but planning for the unforeseen is often the pitfall. Murphy’s Law - scope creep, micro managing stakeholders, or demanding clients have proven that no project is ready to deploy without a ‘plan b.’ Although you may not see every obstacle on the road, planning ahead means having a feasible alternative route that will not heavily compromise your project lifecycle.
How to accomplish this:
Brainstorm. Gather your team and plan together on the many ways to accomplish each task. Be open to ideas and have open lines of communication to cover all details. Make sure everyone is on the same page and have your back plan ready to go if the ‘fire drill’ mode goes off.
Communication First
Ok, I said no specific order, but you agree that communication is only the biggest form of conflict resolution, right? Great!
via GIPHY
Communication is key in all aspects of life, but when you’re a project manager, communication is more than just key. A project manager's job consist of constant communication between executives, stakeholders, team members and clients. At all communication levels throughout the project lifecycle, it’s no surprise some things might fall between the cracks. When we talk about communication, we are referring to more than communicating the project status.
How to accomplish this:
The best way to accomplish this is to listen. Ironic? You can’t expect to be a good communicator if you don’t learn to listen before you speak. By listening to what is being said and expected, you open the door to a plethora of opportunities and accomplishments. Listen to your executives, listen to your clients, but most importantly, listen to your team members. Allowing them time to collaborate and be heard will build the trust relationship you want. When trust runs deep, communication follows.
Feeling inspired? Share your project management resolutions in the comments below and your action plan to accomplish them!