Project managers don’t always get the recognition they deserve. It takes a lot of spinning plates to keep a project on track from start to finish. Managing everything from budgets, deadlines and team members to anticipating potential roadblocks can be challenging. With no magic formula for successful project management, we rely on effective frameworks to ensure lucrative projects see the light of day. In this article we explore the power of effective project management processes in driving success of current and future projects.
The Hero’s Framework
To help bring a project to life, we propose adapting the following project management process to compliment your individual organisation and operations. Each stage is curated to mitigate risk and ensure project success from start to finish.
1. Initiation
In the initial phase of the project life cycle, define the project’s purpose, objectives, and scope. Identify the clients and stakeholders and their needs. This sets the foundation for the entire project and ensures everyone is aligned and on a clear path to accomplish the project’s goals and objectives.
2. Planning
We use this time to create a project plan, which includes a detailed breakdown and forecast of each team member’s roles, responsibilities, and deadlines. The planning stage involves a great deal of collaboration and communication among stakeholders and project team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
3. Execution
In this stage, team members are assigned their tasks and responsibilities and begin working on specific project deliverables (defined in the initiation stage). It’s vital to manage these workflows, pinpointing any issues or risks, then adjusting the project plan, as needed. If adjustments are made all team members must be kept in the loop as the project progresses.
4. Monitoring and Control
During this stage, make use of innovative tools and techniques to monitor project progress against the original project plan. If roadblocks occur, identifying potential issues and taking corrective actions is key to keeping the project on track.
It’s easier for your team to operate at a top-level with the right project management and monitoring software. From well established businesses to effective start-up project management, without the right tools you’re going to struggle. For advice on the best technologies and software, our expert team can provide the ideal solution for your organisation.
5. Closure
When the project comes to an end, it’s time to finalise project deliverables and conduct a final project review.The closing stage is critical as it provides an opportunity to evaluate the project’s success, identify lessons learned, and apply them to future projects.
Are Effective Managers the True Heroes of a Project?
An effective project manager demonstrates strong leadership to both the project team and the larger stakeholder groups. By driving success in every phase of a project, project managers are able to achieve the following:
Realistic Project Planning
Too often, organisations overestimate how quickly they can achieve deliverables, underestimate the costs, or both—a recipe for failure. A good project manager will consider the big picture and set realistic and achievable goals, within the defined scope, budgets, and timelines.
Clear Focus and Objectives
Unclear focus can lead to scope creep, missed deadlines, and overspending. Project managers help organisations to hone in on their priorities to make sure objectives don’t get muddled.
Strategic Alignment
Strategic alignment at every level of the project ensures your initiatives continue to drive your organisation forward. As project managers oversee the planning and execution of a project, they help ensure the project’s overall goals and its subsequent tasks and milestones all align with the organisation’s strategy and stakeholders.
Well-Managed Process
Project management is a proactive process that seeks to help the right people do the right tasks at the right time. By breaking the project into a clear process of assigned tasks, milestones, and deadlines, project managers can direct their teams more efficiently and react to issues with greater agility.
Quality Control
Your project could meet all parameters for time and budget, but if the quality standards aren’t met, it will be deemed a failure. Unfortunately, this is an all-too-easy trap to fall into. That’s where project managers come in. They not only manage deadlines and objectives, but they also keep an eye on how well project tasks are executed and ensure the specified requirements are met.
Reduced costs
Even with the added cost of investing in a project manager, organisations stand to gain much more. Project management reduces project costs by improving efficiency, mitigating risks, and optimizing resources. Additionally, once a project team or department creates cost-effective project management phases, they can reuse these processes in future projects.
“Operations keeps the lights on, strategy provides a light at the end of the tunnel, but project management is the train engine that moves the organisation forward.” – Joy Gumz
If your project is in need of an expert leader or your current project managers could benefit from guidance or more refined processes, Cubility is here to help!
As a management and technology consultancy, we specialise in partnering with businesses to address operational challenges, enhance compliance, and effectively navigate project management. Our team brings a wealth of technical and operational expertise, along with proven project execution skills, to ensure the success of every project we undertake. No matter the size or scope of your project, our managerial frameworks can be customised to suit your organisation’s unique needs. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if your business requires assistance—we’re eager to collaborate with you!
