Project Team Management Dos And Don’ts
Project management is a different ball game where you can expect surprises every day and every hour of the day. Managing a team has always been a great challenge for project managers. If you have superb team such that all team members are skilled, professional, highly committed as well as loyal then you one of the most lucky manager. But THAT is not the real world. You will have to work with the diverse set of people who have different skill set, different aspirations and varied level of commitments. You have to gear up your project team to meet deadline, you will have to inspire them. Here are few Dos and Don’ts while dealing with your project team members (a generic view).
Project Team Management Dos And Don’ts
| # |
Dos | Don’ts |
| 1 | Ask for their opinion, make a point to make them realize that you are listening to them | Don’t ignore their concerns or sideline their suggestion. If you can’t accept it, tell them what is missing and present a larger picture. |
| 2 | Treat every team member professionally and with respect. |
Don’t be bully and order them or get angry with them. |
| 3 | Appraise their good work openly and publicly. Recognize them, reward them. | Don’t criticize, yell or attack them if something goes wrong or even if you don’t like something/anything about them |
| 4 | Communicate clearly what is expected from them, why and when. That builds commitment and accountability | Don’t keep them in abeyance, especially about the things pertaining to their project activities or career progression |
| 5 | Give them what is promised if they deliver it properly | Don’t promise what you do not intend to deliver or put post-facto conditions |
| 6 | Give them a chance, get them to meet with senior people/ customers and refer their achievements in these meetings | Don’t stop them from getting involved in extra activities in group or company. You also need to participate in such social events. |
| 7 | Your project will face issues. Things may go wrong. Look for alternatives and solutions. | Don’t find a scape goat or culprit. Remember, ultimately the issue is team’s responsibility, your responsibility |
| 8 | Aptly use your coercive power (like leave approval, timesheet approval) to retain the sense of authority towards you. | Don’t use same authoritative power just to tourture them |
| 9 | Be easily approachable, responsive to your team | Don’t avoid owning responsibilities for your actions. |
| 10 | Give them a smile. It doesn’t cost you. | Don’t conclude things without knowing facts/details from your team |
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5 Comments
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[…] fall through the cracks. With a small business, it is all the more important that each part of the team knows what to do. Before you know it, sales are sub-par, employee training is nonexistent and vital raw materials […]
Quite valid points. These are all common sense things which are not common 🙂