Want the secret on how to manage your projects with ease so they are finished on time or ahead of schedule?
It comes down to your project management processes! No kidding!
Managing a project is no easy feat. There are many tasks that make up the entire project and it’s easy to get overwhelmed, distracted and lost. From planning to handling the day-to-day tasks, dealing with client requests and actually executing the project – there’s a lot to do, so no wonder it can get stressful!
There can be many challenges when it comes to managing a project and that’s because if one step is not completed on time, it has the ability to throw out the whole timeline.
Business owners tell me they find it difficult to stay on track and know where things are at any given moment. They know what they want as an outcome, but looking at their resources and workflow takes a lot of time.
When you divide the project into steps and manageable tasks and goals, it will become a lot easier to manage. You will be more productive and hit your deadlines on time (or before schedule).
However, it doesn’t just happen. Unless you’re going to hire a project manager (like me!), then you’re going to need to follow some simple steps and get your project management processes documented and working for you (not against you!).
5 basic stages to a project
Project management processes: There are 5 key stages to a project including:
- Initiation
You or your client initiates the work and an idea is turned into a project with goals and deliverables. It’s at this stage of the project that you will appoint a project manager, determine the budget, and set the expected timeline.
- Planning
Project planning involves setting out the actual schedule and plan for the project. Look at what’s needed for the project, the technical requirements, developing the goals and creating a communications plan. The project is then formalised in a central location – such as a project management processes tool like Monday, Asana or ClickUp.
- Execution
This is where you start getting down to business and the work gets done. Your project manager oversees the entire project and keeps the team on track, focused and accountable. It’s also important to track progress and avoid bottlenecks so you can stay organised for the duration of the project.
- Monitoring
It’s at this stage that deliverables start being met and the project manager monitors the progress of the project. The resources are monitored and controlled at this point so the project is in line with the budget. This is a continuous task that is done the whole way throughout the project.
- Closing
The last stage! This is where the project is complete, contracts have ended, tasks are finished in the project management software and the team reflects on the project to improve the process for next time. Reports are written and delivered to the necessary people and the project is closed.
Get savvy with your project management processes
As a business owner in this day and age you must have the right team and tools to get the job done efficiently. If you’d like to have your projects well planned and running to schedule, while also getting the best possible outcome, download my Systems Checklist here and get started today. Link to checklist
If you’d like more information on how I can help you manage your next project, simply contact me here and we can have a conversation about what you need specific help with.
Alternatively, if you’re ready to get your project into a project management processes tool, I use and wholeheartedly recommend ClickUp (of which I am an affiliate). It is the best project management tool I have found to date – and there’s a free version! You can join ClickUp here.
