Managing project teams can be a challenging task, especially in the era of remote work. As more and more companies adopt a distributed workforce, project managers must find new ways to build and manage effective project management teams.
It's common for projects to fall short of meeting their goals, and this failure is not necessarily due to a lack of visibility. While poor visibility may be a symptom of the problem, it's often not the root cause. More often than not, a project fails because the project manager lacks the necessary insight and skills to manage the team effectively according to FinancesOnline.
Effective project team management requires a clear understanding of the project goals and objectives. It also needs a keen sense of how to allocate resources and delegate tasks to team members. A project manager who is unsure about how to prioritise tasks or delegate responsibilities may find that their team members become frustrated or disengaged. This will lead to delays and poor results.
Companies and organisations need to invest in training and development for project managers and provide them with the necessary project management tools and resources. In this article, we'll examine some reasons why projects commonly fail and discover best practices for effectively managing your teams.
Four reasons why projects commonly fail
Many factors can contribute to the failure of a project. However, in this article, we will concentrate on four fundamental causes that can lead to project failure according to Project Insight.
1. Lack of visibility of all projects
One of the most common reasons why projects fail is due to poor visibility throughout the project's lifecycle. All three tiers of the project team - executive management, project managers, and team members - must have access to the right level of information at the right time.
Project leaders must prioritise clear and timely communication with their team members. They also need to provide the necessary information to make informed decisions to all tiers of the project team. It is to ensure everyone can execute tasks effectively.
2. Unclear Project Goals
Most organisations face an excess of opportunities and project initiatives that they are unable to fulfil. Often, these companies take on more initiatives than they can handle, leading to overworked and unsatisfied team members.
3. No visibility of resource workload
After failing to prioritise projects, organisations often experience the issue of overloaded resources. As a result, team members may be tasked with more work than they can realistically handle. This can result in decreased productivity, increased stress levels, and poor-quality work. The lack of project prioritisation and poor resource allocation can lead to a vicious cycle of overwork and poor results.
4. Unclear communication
During the execution of a project, communication can become a significant issue. The issue is usually project-related communication scattered across multiple platforms. As a result, team members may struggle to access critical information or make informed decisions. This will lead to delays and errors in the project's execution.
Ten Strategies for managing Project Teams
We will explore ten highly effective strategies for managing your team and improving your project management skills in detail according to Kissflow.
1. Provide balance within the team
Have you ever wondered why companies place such a significant emphasis on optimising their recruitment process? The reason is that selecting the right people for the job is nearly half of the work involved in building a successful team.
Team members who are highly skilled but unable to collaborate effectively with others can hinder project progress. Therefore, when assembling a team, it is crucial to prioritise finding the right balance of skills and personalities. You can also focus on identifying individuals who possess the necessary project management skills.
2. Provide visibility and transparency
It is crucial to ensure project transparency and provide access to essential data to all team members. Leaders who withhold information on a need-to-know basis are often ineffective.
By promoting transparency in your projects, you can leverage each team member's skills, enhance internal accountability, monitor progress, and achieve other benefits. Moreover, transparency can facilitate effective communication and collaboration among team members.
3. Assure effective communication within the team
Every team receives support from both internal and external entities that can impact their project outcomes. Effective communication is vital in any professional setting, as it enables effective management. Open communication also allows you to stay informed of potential risks before they endanger your project's success. By encouraging team members to share their concerns, you can proactively respond to potential risks and take necessary steps to mitigate them.
4. Promote a culture of collaboration
The strategies we are discussing here are interdependent. Without transparency, effective communication is impossible, and without communication, collaboration is hindered. Collaboration is crucial for team development and function. Team collaboration tools like VirtualSpace can facilitate virtual discussions and foster a thriving environment, especially during the era of remote work.
5. Discuss progress with your team
Encouraging discussion within the team can lead to innovative ideas and build trust. The Agile methodology emphasises a culture of respect where every member can contribute regardless of their position. As a leader, it is important to address doubts and consider ideas from team members.
6. Establish a reward system
To prevent a decline in motivation and team interest, it's crucial to establish a strong reward system and promote healthy competition within the team. This system will recognise and appreciate the achievements of individuals who are making progress towards project goals.
7. Delegate tasks
You must provide opportunities for your project team members to gain leadership experience, which will help them become leaders themselves in the future. Giving them some freedom to make decisions and delegate tasks can also help you as a project manager become better. This also allows them to focus on the big picture and find more efficient ways of completing tasks.
8. Manage conflicts
To handle conflicts in a team, you need to be impartial and assess the situation. If the conflict is work-related, refocus everyone on the objective. Give space for team members to resolve the issue amicably. Handling conflicts is a test of your leadership skills.
9. Ask for feedback
To improve your leadership, it's necessary to seek feedback from your project team. Customising your leadership style according to your team's personality traits is crucial, as different members perform better under different levels of oversight. You can learn more about your team's preferences by spending time with them or using tools like suggestion boxes and periodic forms.
10. Participate in activities with your project team
To boost your team's morale and motivate them for future success, it's vital to actively participate in celebrating significant accomplishments and milestones with them. This will also help foster a personal connection with team members. This will make them feel appreciated and valued, which in turn positively impacts their performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, effective project team management requires more than just delegating tasks and overseeing progress. A successful project manager must also focus on building a cohesive and collaborative team. With the right approach, managing project teams can be a rewarding and successful experience for everyone involved.
