subject: 5 Resource Tips That All Project Management Companies Should Swear By [print this page] 5 Resource Tips That All Project Management Companies Should Swear By
There are few managers out there that have not heard of the saying: "Project management is effectively people management". Why is it then that we give so little regard to understanding how to manage people properly, knowing full well that they are the backbone, energy, brain and brawn behind every project. The big question is then - how do you keep your project team focused and happy? Yes, it's as simple as that. When people work in a stimulating and harmonious environment, it is bound to bring out some pretty good stuff in them!
So let's look into those 5 tips for managing people better:
1. Don't ignore your staff. These guys are in the trenches and on the battlefield of the project. They are soldiering on to meet deliverables and to deliver the scope of works. You are the general, the leader, the motivator and Dalai Lama if you need to be. Listen to the issues and recommendations. Build rapport and do whatever it takes to foster commitment. You want them to own their part of the project... and you want them to love owning it!
2. You're not a buddy, you're the boss! Before you pull that statement out of context, there is a fine line to be treaded here. The project team can be a complex animal. Each has their own set of expertise, but all need to fuse their knowledge together to accomplish a certain goal. In doing so, you need to be friendly and approachable, but also objective in your decision making. Its about giving meaningful and positive feedback, but also being honest in your critique towards addressing improvements and giving advise.
3. Being rude will get you nowhere! There are a few big no no's in project resource management. The first - Never openly criticize a team member in front of the other team. Notice I used the word "criticize" and not "critique". If you finish your project and everyone run for the hills after practical completion, then you know that your team has shunned what was suppose to be, the most satisfying milestone of the project.
4. Don't dodge the elephant in the room. Men are especially great at this, that it why woman project managers are getting some very good rep now a days. If a project staff member is under the pump or going through a tough personal time, chances are that it will show. You need to help confront any potential issues that hinder their performance, you won't always be able to help, but they will know that they have your support.
5. Speak before you think..... No actually, its think before you speak! Very important for the driven & pressured modern-day project manager. Think about the project and resource repercussions of making a decision. Assuring the client that you will complete a non-critical task by Monday, but it would mean that you will have to call some team members in on a Saturday or have them stay for a late night, is probably not such a great idea. Think, reanalyze and reshuffle.
Those are some very simple facts, but they will help build morale and keep the ideas and enthusiasm fresh coming from the project team. Good luck!
