active UAC logo blueT yellowG HD
  • Home Page
  • GrowCon

Project Management 101 – Part II

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Project Management 101 – Part II

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

10 Valuable Tips and Techniques

A daily planner.Last week we talked about the four elements you must attend to when managing a project: resources, timeline, scope, and budget. While you don’t necessarily have to manage each project as rigorously as many corporate teams do, you can benefit from some of the tips and techniques project managers use. Here are ten things they do to ensure successful completion of a project:

1. Return to the mission statement and objectives oftenEvery major project has a mission statement and coordinating objectives. These are to help remind you of the project’s importance, enabling you to focus your efforts as the team moves through critical tasks. You should return to these often and remind yourself (and your team) of what you’re trying to accomplish.2. Don’t schedule tasks longer than six weeksTasks that long will be difficult to manage and will most likely slow the team down. Tasks longer than six weeks can generally be broken into smaller tasks.3. Closely monitor critical tasksCritical tasks are those that absolutely must be completed in order for the project to be successful. You must continually monitor these tasks in order to ensure that the project will be completed according to your timeline.4. Ensure team members start tasks as quickly as possibleBecause you assign start dates to tasks you’ll often have team members who wait until those dates arrive before they start working on tasks. However, starting tasks as soon as possible is the best way to buy extra time and complete a project early. Closely manage your team members to remind them to start their tasks as quickly as possible.5. Pad your deadlinesIt’s important to give yourself amble time to complete tasks. Assigning unrealistic deadlines will only cause unnecessary stress and tension among team members. When possible, pad your deadlines with extra time.6. Hold regular team meetingsTo maintain team morale and keep everyone focused on the project’s importance, you should hold regular team meetings. This is where you talk about questions and concerns team members may have.7. Watch for obstaclesIf you’re not careful your project may run into an obstacle you haven’t planned for. You need to be on the lookout and prepare for obstacles with contingency plans.8. Determine milestonesDetermining milestones can help you mark your progress as you move through the project. They will enable you to assess your success.9. Have deliverables for every milestoneA good way to determine your milestones is to find points within the project that have deliverables, or tangible pieces to the project. For example, if you’re setting up the books for a new client, one deliverable may be the payroll.10. Meet to evaluate the project after it’s been completedThe best way to learn from a project is to meet at the completion to determine how successful the experience was. You can’t learn from your mistakes if you don’t take the time to acknowledge them. And you also can’t note the accomplishments if you don’t take the time to celebrate them. You’ll find that projects become easier the more you follow this process.

You don’t have to apply the principles of project management perfectly in order to enjoy the benefits. Pick and choose which tips and techniques feel comfortable to you, and see how they improve your internal processes. Your newfound efficiency and productivity may surprise you.

author avatar
Roger Knecht

Table of Contents

I Want Answers!

Screenshot 2024 03 21 at 110604 AM 1

Fill out this form to speak with an advisor or request an application. We will reach back out to you very shortly!

Or give us a call at:

Categories

Recent Articles

Recommended Reads

Tax Preparation Course

Enroll Today Speak to An Advisor About How it works Testimonials Course Details Coaches Curriculum FAQs Apply Today More than just a Tax Preparation Course We focus on hitting your income & career goals. If

Read More »

Professional Bookkeeper Certification Course

Get The Skills To Be A Bookkeeping & Accounting Professional     What is our Professional Bookkeeper™ Certification?   Many professions use designations and certifications to identify their areas of expertise. It recognizes individuals as

Read More »

Become An Enrolled Agent, EA

Become An Enrolled Agent, EA https://vimeo.com/1025315486 An enrolled agent is a tax practitioner who is licensed with the Internal Revenue Service to represent clients before the IRS. An enrolled agent is the highest credential awarded

Read More »
QuickBooks Specialist Certificationjpg

QuickBooks Certification

Get the Skills to Be a QuickBooks Specialist QuickBooks Specialist™ Certification The Professional Bookkeeper’s Guide to QuickBooks is designed to teach anybody how to use QuickBooks. Whether or not you consider yourself a bookkeeping professional,

Read More »

Accountant Certification Programs

Get Certified in Accounting, Bookkeeping, Tax Prep, QuickBooks etc. Enhance & Grow Your Business Knowledge in as little as 4 Weeks with Our Accountant Certification Programs From employers to clients, everyone likes a financial professional

Read More »