9 Steps to Project Success

Managing a project can be a daunting task, especially if it involves complicated processes. Even if you have received the necessary project management training, you may not be able to complete a project according to expectations. Many problems can arise during the course of a project, and sometimes, you may need advice from people who have extensive experience and success in project management. Here are some helpful tips that can help you make your project a big success:

1) Focus on Requirement Analysis

Requirement analysis is a very important aspect of project management. Give complete focus to finding information that is related to your project. Formally document every requirement that you have discussed with your customers. Then, let your customers sign the requirement analysis document, so that you will have an official checklist to refer to at the end of the project.

2) Communicate Regularly with Your Customers

It is not necessary to get your customers involved in every phase of the project, but you should at least let them know what is going on. Make sure that your customers are constantly updated on the progress of the project and problems that arise. This will help you gain the confidence of your customers and minimize the risk of errors.

3) Set Timelines Wisely

The best way to maintain control over your project is to set short and achievable timelines. If you are handling a big project, you can divide it into several sub-projects. Try to limit your timelines to less than six months.

4) Form the Best Team Possible

Great teams make great projects. Spend more time looking for the right people and hire the best people that your budget allows. Good employees are committed to their work, and they are easy to motivate.

5) Recognizing Milestones

Milestones are achievement marks in your timeline, and you should reward your team every time it achieves a milestone. By doing so, you will provide the necessary motivation for your team and show your customers that the project is on schedule.

6) Control Scope

Before the project is executed, you should freeze the scope and establish measures for dealing with scope change. Let your customers know the full consequences that a scope change can have on the project, including effects on resources, funds, timelines, and others. Remember, many projects have failed because of scope slips.

7) Maintain Quality

The quality of your deliverables should remain high throughout the duration of the project. Review quality constantly to ensure that it does not slip. Ask members of your team to check each other's deliverables or engage external reviewers to make sure that the deliverables meet your customers' expectations.

8) Resolve Issues and Risks Promptly

When problems or risks are identified, you should take measures to resolve them as soon as possible. If they are not managed promptly, they may get out of hand and ruin your project.

9) Close Deliverables Properly

When the deliverables are complete, you have to hand them formally to your customers. Prepare an acceptance form for them to sign, so that they can verify that the deliverables meet their expectations. Then, you can mark the deliverables as 100% complete.

----------------------------------------------------
Lynn Kelly is an IT project management consultant and contributor for Vantage, promoting the Social Approach to Project Management. Visit http://projectvantage.com to learn more and signup for a free trial of Vantage project management software at http://www.projectvantage.com/index.php/pricing to get started. Go get social with your projects today.

EasyPublish this article: http://submityourarticle.com/articles/easypublish.php?art_id=254475