You all are project managers, YES you all are project managers. You don’t have to learn anything more to be a project manager. Project management is the most effortless and pleasure job that a man/woman can do. It’s a spiritual act of making something happen. You all are doing that, and you are doing that very well. There is a besic purpose of mine to start this article with this positive note. you will understand it gradually.

I was in search of key to success in project management, to share with the readers. I went through many seminars and discussed with Management Gurus and writing this article to share with you all, few secret of project management. I had worked on many projects as project managers or project member, And I went through few project management trainings too, and I notice that nothing is full-proof for success of the project. There is something common in all successful projects and there is something common in all the unsuccessful projects too. Then I tried to investigate further. And found some astonishing facts about the project management, and project managers, that influences the fate of the project. How the attitude of the project manager, the positive thinking and positive influence of the project manager can turnaround a failing project to a grand success. And believe me it is as simple as that, it is simple, and effortless.
This knowledge helps me identify and foresee the fate of the project much before the actual outcome of the project, and take corrective measures well in advance, whatever possible in the given circumstances.

The following are the points that you must keep in mind while doing a project.

COLLECTIVE POSITIVE FEELING

Its very important that all the stakeholders of the project feels positive about the project, and ready to put extra effort to keep feeling that way ;) . It is not as simple as it sounds. Everyone is important for the project to be success. And everyone should be happy at with success of the project

The Client: Make sure the client is very positive, and excited about what you are going to do for them. They understand that you know what exactly they want. And they know that you will do everything to make there dream come true. And they are excited enough to spend little extra if that’s what the project really need.

The facilitators (Your IT/Systems, Finance, Admin departments etc..): The support group must be in tune with the project and must be aware of their involvement in the project. They must feel connected with the project. It is important they feel good about the project and can somehow connect themselves to the success of the project. Recognize them, send appreciation emails, and call them for project lunch or dinner whatever you are planning for. This will ensure the environment remains great for your project to thrive.

The team members: Remember they are going to make your dream project come true. Be grateful to them, that they have chosen you to be with and work for. respect their individuality. Understand that they are more talented than they looks. and under right environment they can do wanders. They are costly resource, and it is so had to find them.

Understand each member’s expectation in the project, each member of the project has his/her own expectation and personal need from the project. Some one wants to work in great technology; some one is in beginning of the career and wants to do something great. Some want recognition to get a promotion, some just want to feel self worth, some one want to make some money, and some one want to replace you. Understand their need and see how much you can manage their needs. And make appropriate communication. Make them visualize how their dream is attached to the success of the project. And also let them know how the project depends on them, make them feel the self worth.

Top Management: Understand them. Understand their environment; know the importance of the project from their point of view. See what the bigger goal they have and how your project fits into it. And show them how the success of the project can take them a step closer to their goal, and how it is likely to be that way.

You and your project: Evaluate the project before you take it. Understand your role in the project. Talk to all the stakeholders and see what dream they have about the project. Find, are you empowered to do what it needed to make the project success. Are you really managing the project?

See what value the project is adding. And do you feel excited about it? If you are not excited about the project, do a favour to the project, don’t take it up. Let another manager who is excited about it takes it up.
Understand that as a project manager you are the most important person in the project. Only you can decide and make the project a success. No-one else can influence the project as you can. Fill yourself with positive feeling about the project. Be a dreamer; see the dream of success of the project in detail.

REMOVE NEGATIVE INFLUENCE

Remove the thought of failure from everyone’s mind and block the negative external influence Don’t let the negative thought about the project get into the mind of your stakeholders. Counter it with releasing positive news and positive image of the project. (Don’t fight against the negative, BUT visualize and feel the positive). Tell the truth about the project health to whomever you are sending the report to, but also visualise the success of the project, show the roadmap to the success, feel positive and feel the success. Because what you see is what you get.

GENERATE POSITIVE FEELING ABOUT THE PROJECT

Let everyone know that they are part of this great and successful project. And the project is a big success (So far). And celebrate the success of the project. Show the vision of the successful completion of the project to all. Let everyone work towards the great success of the project.

Visualize the success of project in great detail. If it is too big a project you have to document your dream in form of design, and requirements, make sure your dream is very detail. If you won’t dream it, it won’t happen. Visualize how good the quality is, how each part of the product working efficiently. How happy the customer about your first phase, and how happy about the second phase. Share the dream with your team and make everyone see the same dream.

Fill the environment with positive influence. Celebrate the small success of the project. Make working pizza party. Give small gifts as recognition of success. Put the picture of the successful moments you had in the project in the places for all members to see. And more importantly picture the future success you are going to have for all to see, and see it in detail and feel it too.

That is all about project management

That is the only attribute a project managers need to have. And it is scientifically and statically proven. All other project management knowledge and skill will definitely come handy. But under negative influence those skill and tools will prove useless. This article is a result of years of experiences, and month of study of statistic of the projects, interview with managers and team members, And study of metaphysical aspects of influence of collective group thinking. This approach can turn around the course of project dramatically from failure to success. This always works, whether it is your professional project or personal project. This will never let you down; And It is effortless and fun.

Feel free to send your comments to me by email, OR scrap our guest book.

Have a nice time
Smruti Ranjan Sarangi.
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