A project manager especially a software project manager faces many different problems to complete a software project successfully. For timely completion of any project, the project manager not only needs to be talented but also needs to be smart. For instance, usage of time-saving automation tools, remote team management, keeping up with the trend and latest techniques. Using online Dev tools like Stackify for diagnosing the performance issues of the app and for eliminating the black boxes is required to keep up with modern software project management.
An efficient project manager regulates workflows, plans, manages and organizes resources to help with the completion of the new projects. There are some important points every project manager needs to keep in mind for a successful project management. These are the backbone of project management skills.
Planning
Planning is one of the initial and crucial parts in the management of any project. It can make or break the process of completing any projects. One of the main reasons behind any deficiencies found in many projects are a result of inadequate or poor planning, that is not organized or well thought out. As there is some time allotted for planning, it is important to work out a plan that is suitable for the project, and also assess some rudimentary procedures necessary for management.
Laying out a specified description of the project and its requirements are also extremely necessary as it helps in understanding the project better. Once there is a clear layout of the project with specified details and descriptions, it is much easier to manage the project more efficiently and smoothly.
Project Objectives
Figuring out the objective of the project is essentially a part of the planning process. The result of the project needs to be understood and identified. The project manager needs to monitor the process of completing a task and the progress of each component of the project. Use analyzing tools that provide metrics that show the progress, delay or any kind of changes that take place while completing projects. Monitoring these metrics will help ensure if the objective and the intended results of the project are met.
Identifying Risks
Identifying risks is also one of the most important steps while planning for the project. As you progress with your planning, you want to identify the possible risks attached to the project. Which is identifying the possibility of something going wrong, and at which stage of the process is it most likely to happen. Planning and identifying possible risk will help gauge what is the possibility of anything going wrong, and help in drawing up a backup plan in case something does go wrong. For a better understanding, the risk factors can be divided into separate categories (Low, Medium, High) based on the likelihood of them occurring. This will enable you to save time as you will be prepared if anything goes wrong.
Project Limitations
While planning for the project, you will identify the environment in which the project will progress. This will also bring out the limitations associated with that environment, which needs to be considered beforehand. There are three most common forms of limitations that are found, and they either physical, or resource, or technological constraints that usually set limitations. Physical limitations are the physical constraints such as not having sufficient office space or place to carry out the project. Resource constraints are not having enough resources available to complete the project in time, therefore, extending the duration for completing the project.
And finally, technological constraints are all forms of technical difficulties the systems, that can cause glitches and shortfalls during the process of completing the project. All of these limitations need to be taken into consideration while planning further to prevent any of these problems cropping up later.
Project Schedule
Working out a schedule for your project is an ongoing process. It helps with keeping a track of which work needs to be done when and what is yet to be completed. It is equally important to inform all the other concerned parties of the schedule so everyone knows their tasks and they can finish it as per the schedule. A project schedule can be extensive and detailed as it will have complete details of the schedule, and hold a lot of important information. A well-planned schedule will ensure that everything is done in time and there is no unnecessary delay or lag in the completion of the project.
Delegation of Responsibilities
This is the part where tasks and responsibilities need to be divided and delegated. It is important for everyone working on the project to know their role and others as it will help with better communication, and it is easier to follow up or inquire with the right person if you know who is responsible for what. You need to come up with a list of people along with their tasks. Usually, a project has a manager, executive sponsor, technical lead and other important personnel. You need to plan out and compile a list of different tasks and who is responsible for each of the tasks.
Quality of the Project
It is important to think about the quality of your project. You might want to check all the aspect of the project to ensure the quality. To check for quality, there first need to be a plan that puts limits on what is acceptable and what is not, and if the quality of an aspect fails to meet expectation, then what needs to be done to rectify it. There is always the option to go back and forth and constantly improve the quality of the product, but if it is planned out in advance, it makes things go smoother and quicker.
Project Budget
Setting a budget for the project is one of the first things you will need to decide on along with planning for the entire project. Once a budget has been set, you can monitor the expenditure to ensure who have not crossed your budget limits. Keeping a consistent track of your expenses and budget will help in preventing going over the budget limits.
Communications
Communication is a key factor in planning for a project. You need to avoid any possible miscommunication as it may tamper with the completion of the project. It is important to figure out how things are to be communicated. To plan how and when relevant information can be sent both on time and accurately.
Scope Management
It might happen in some cases, that there needs to be a sudden change that needs to made in the project and you come to know of it suddenly, while your project is already in progress. This does not always happen, but there is a chance that it might happen, so you will need to be prepared for any such sudden changes and figure out a way, preferably beforehand, to be able to make these changes. Keeping a track of the progress, and being prepared for any changes can help a lot in the long run for the project.
