Every project faces various problems from marginal to essential that could cause the failure of the entire project. If we want to avoid problems, we must know the most common problems we can face and prepare for them. Most of project management mistakes can be prevented with vigilance, good planning and clear communication.
A typical problem lies in choosing an inexperienced project manager. To be successful, a manager must be able to prepare project plans, lead meetings devoted to the progress of projects, manage risk, and negotiate with all parties involved. If you want to put one of your junior managers in charge of a project, he should first, at least shadow an experienced project manager. Likewise, other project team members should be selected according to their experience and skills, not just their availability. The following ten unnecessary mistakes of project management were published on the Project Smart website.
1. Starting the project badly
Each project should begin with an introductory meeting which will summarize the project objectives and important deadlines. All team members should have their tasks clarified. Do not assume that everyone knows everything.
2. Unclear requirements
A list of your project's requirements must be based on the needs of your customer. Make sure that you understand these needs completely. Create the list together and have all stakeholders sign it.
3. Unclear metrics
More often than poor planning or lack of skills, projects fail due to vague ideas about their goals and ways of measuring success. Your project's goal should be feasible, comprehensible, manageable and beneficial. Agree on the metrics with your customer.
4. Unrealistic schedule and budget
Your time and financial plan must be based on a detailed survey and comparison with similar projects. Numbers can never come out of the blue.
5. Poor communication
The project manager must communicate with his team, the customer and the other involved parties. All these people need to know how the project is developing, if something has changed, what the actual risks are etc. A lack of communication can't be excused.
6. Unclear project scope
The project's scope can't be defined during the course of its implementation. It must always be agreed on in advance. You should also agree on a binding procedure for the possible expansion of the project.
7. Neglecting your team
Every project manager should listen to the comments and suggestions of his team members. If you think you know everything, try to think about it again.
8. Micromanagement
Closely monitoring every step of the project team is another extreme. Micromanagement will costs you the confidence and motivation of your people.
9. Over-reliance on technology
Project management software is very useful, but only as a tool it can't solve problems. Problems have to be solved by people, software can only help.
10. Unclear process
The best process is simple and includes clear steps that need to be done and outcomes. All your people should therefore know what and when it must be done.
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