Project Management Made Easy: Tips for New Managers

So, it’s better to stock up on a few tips if you are taking your first project in your office. Though you are good as a team member, additional responsibilities fall on your shoulders when the project is in your hands. From dividing the project to assigning it to your team and wrapping it up – you should be alert always to any predicaments that arise during the completion of the project. 

• Understand the end and goal of the project

Before you jump on to dividing and assigning the project to your team, understand the end goal of your project. It helps you to focus on the task completion without getting side-tracked. Have a vision of the goal and devise a plan on how you plan to finish it. 

Also, understand that you are not alone and that you can always take advice from your superiors. However, make sure to have a considerable plan with your whenever you want to discuss it with others. 

Before starting the project, make a note of what tools and software you want to use so that it becomes easy for you to assign and order work to your team members. 

• Be considerate and open to your team and family

When you are working on a project, you tend to get lost in it. You will lose the track of time and you may miss the important events in your family. Or you may work on your system without knowing whether the day has come to an end. Working in this way is unhealthy as your brain is always on overdrive. 

Remember to take breaks in between and be considerate to yourself. When your mind is relaxed and focused, you will project the same to your team as well. And you will be working in sync with the project timeline which helps you to finish the project before the deadline. Always tell them what’s going on with your family so they what to expect from you if you happen to be working late. It’s important to maintain peace both at home and office for successful project completion. 

• Know how to manage risks

No project exists without risks. Risk management is something that you should know and be capable to handle risks whenever they arise in the project. You can take up a course on risk management before you handle a project on your own. 

Bonus read: 6 common challenges in project management

• Try to avoid being too perfect

Instead of achieving perfectionism in what you do, focus on realistic goals and work as per the project timeline. When you try to be perfect, your mind won’t adjust to unforeseen circumstances or other negative influences on the project. And it will affect the way you work and there are high chances of a decrease in productivity. Always try to be open to the changes that occur during the project work and adapt to those changes.  

• Time management is an important

If you’re a perfectionist, try your methods in time management. Managing your time effectively will bring you control over your project. You can estimate the time taken by each task in the project even though there will be unknown risks involved. 

When you manage your time effectively, you can spend ample time at home which brings peace to your mind. It further enhances your work skills which increases the scope of your efficient work. So before you take on a project, make sure to learn time management skills. 

• Avoid doing too many tasks at one time

Time management is not always about multitasking. Though you feel you can do two or more things at one time, our brains are not wired to do so. We can perform efficiently at most two tasks at a time. So chose those two tasks carefully and focus on completing both. Too much multi-tasking can take a toll on your brain affecting your work capabilities.  

• Be aware of project management methodologies

As a project manager, you need to know various project management methodologies like agile, scrum, etc. Knowing about them will make the dividing easy and you will have easy access to the tasks assigned to all the team members. 

Conclusion

When you want to excel as a project manager, it takes more than having knowledge of technical skills. You need to have leadership qualities that help you to take control of your role. You can acquire this by looking at the inspirational persons in your office or by taking up courses on it. Whatever you do, you need to be well prepared for the manager role before you handle the project on your own. 

Also read: Improve project management skills at work

Author Bio:

Hello, I’m Erika Rhein, a professional writer, blogger, and passionate traveller. I write on diverse niches, including home improvement, lifestyle, and fashion. I always aim to present users with valuable and instructive articles in a compelling format, endeavouring to achieve a difference through my writing.