Project Management is about continuous learning. Whether it's related to changing technology, production practices or client management, a Project Manager will never stop absorbing new information. As a PM evolves with their career, there are a few fundamental skills that will be required for survival - skills that will help mitigate the most severe risks and the most trying clients. Unfortunately, not all Project Managers will be 'naturals' when it comes to these fundamentals, but effort and practice can go a long way to honing this arsenal of ability.
Finesse: OK - this is the most difficult and intangible skill to describe. In this context, it refers to the delicate, nimble management of people. People can be clients, production teams, external vendors, or your employer. A Project Manager will need to finesse each of these people at various points throughout a project life cycle for different reasons. Being able to finesse can help develop stronger relationships, trust, credibility and a sense of competency. Most importantly, a Project Manager will use finesse to continuously focus people, keeping them on track towards objectives and deliverables. Project Managers who are great organizers but poor finessers will fall short of the mark. People skills are an absolute requirement - particularly when dealing with difficult client management issues.
Time management: Without this skill, a Project Manager may as well throw in the towel. The job itself is about managing time for large groups of people over long periods, working towards an end deliverable. If you are unable to prioritize and manage time, you will struggle with your own workload, and fail at delivering projects within expected time frames.
Multi-tasking: I've written about this before because it is part and parcel of any Project Management role. The secret is in prioritizing and focusing on a single task at a time, regardless of how long your to-do list is. You can learn some tips about multi-tasking in this blog entry.
If you're able to fine tune these three skills, you will be better equipped to tackle any challenge you face. Your confidence will increase and your clients will appreciate your capacity to manage their business. Most importantly, these are skills that will help in your own life and in any other career you choose.
Showing posts with label multi-tasking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label multi-tasking. Show all posts
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Dealing With the Stress of Project Management
Project Management is a stressful and demanding position. In a typical agency, a Project Manager is often caught between the end client, the internal development team, and their own senior management group. The job can be compared to juggling - there are always multiple things to tend to, and if you drop one ball, you'll tend to drop them all. Deadlines, quotes, scope creep, resourcing and quality are a few examples of issues that will require constant attention. The pace rarely slows but the demands often increase. So how can a Project Manager cope with the stress day after day? Below are a few simple tactics.
Focus: Multi-tasking is a part of daily life, and the key to working through a variety of responsibilities is to focus on a single item at a time. Not only will this ensure you give adequate attention to each item on your plate, it will reduce your sense of being overwhelmed by breaking down your to-do list into smaller, more manageable chunks. Looking at the big picture doesn't always work - when you're multi-tasking, the big picture can be discouraging. Remember - you can only accomplish one thing at a time. Create to-do lists and prioritize each task for yourself. Make this a habit and stick with it. As new items get added to your list, re-prioritize and focus.
Delegate: Project Managers are universally bad at delegating. Most are perfectionists who would rather do everything alone. It's important that you utilize the team around you and assign the most appropriate resource to the tasks at hand. You may be surprised at how much there is to learn from the larger team - consider everyone a subject matter expert in their own area. Engaging the team will increase their sense of responsibility and ownership, resulting in a better end product, no matter what the deliverable is.
Balance: As the saying goes, all work and no play makes for a very dull PM. Keep a work-life balance by enjoying your time out of the office. Whenever possible, leave at a reasonable time and spend the evening however you wish. Make dinner or go for drinks - whatever you choose, do it out of the office! It's easy to stay at work later and later, hoping to get further ahead. Instead, try to improve your time management skills by focusing and delegating. Being happy outside of the office will help feel happier when you're in the office.
The tactics may seem simple, but taking a few small steps towards curbing stress may save your sanity. Project Management can be a very rewarding career for those who are able to handle to demands. Make your health a priority and incorporate the strategies above into your regular routine.
Focus: Multi-tasking is a part of daily life, and the key to working through a variety of responsibilities is to focus on a single item at a time. Not only will this ensure you give adequate attention to each item on your plate, it will reduce your sense of being overwhelmed by breaking down your to-do list into smaller, more manageable chunks. Looking at the big picture doesn't always work - when you're multi-tasking, the big picture can be discouraging. Remember - you can only accomplish one thing at a time. Create to-do lists and prioritize each task for yourself. Make this a habit and stick with it. As new items get added to your list, re-prioritize and focus.
Delegate: Project Managers are universally bad at delegating. Most are perfectionists who would rather do everything alone. It's important that you utilize the team around you and assign the most appropriate resource to the tasks at hand. You may be surprised at how much there is to learn from the larger team - consider everyone a subject matter expert in their own area. Engaging the team will increase their sense of responsibility and ownership, resulting in a better end product, no matter what the deliverable is.
Balance: As the saying goes, all work and no play makes for a very dull PM. Keep a work-life balance by enjoying your time out of the office. Whenever possible, leave at a reasonable time and spend the evening however you wish. Make dinner or go for drinks - whatever you choose, do it out of the office! It's easy to stay at work later and later, hoping to get further ahead. Instead, try to improve your time management skills by focusing and delegating. Being happy outside of the office will help feel happier when you're in the office.
The tactics may seem simple, but taking a few small steps towards curbing stress may save your sanity. Project Management can be a very rewarding career for those who are able to handle to demands. Make your health a priority and incorporate the strategies above into your regular routine.
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