-
A Technical Project Manager's Guide to Increased Productivity
So you receive a new project. The countdown to your deadline starts now. Tick-tock. You know you have the tools and resources necessary, but lately you have been feeling that your programmers just haven't been working up to their potential. Questions start to swirl in your head about scope, requirements, feasibility and planning, but you just can't shake the feeling that your team could be doing more. Well, the truth is, they often could. Here are a few hints on how to bring the most out of your team.
It's more than a project, it's a lifestyle
Collaboration. Yeah, that sounds good in principle but is it really worth it? Do you really need all of those extra voices going in each and every direction? The fact of the matter is, yes, you do! Any PM at any Fortune 500 company will tell you that collaboration is the key to continued innovation. Hold brainstorm sessions in the beginning of the project and then at critical check-points. Make sure that every team member can be heard in a non-judgmental and open environment. Leave an adequate amount of time to explore different possibilities and give yourself an opportunity to see what processes can be improved. This will also help limit developing bad habits and will do wonders in avoiding a "group-think" mentality.
Remember to always encourage the team to keep an open mind when tackling problems. The reality is that as much as we think we (or our bosses think they) know, the secrets to success lie in those that do the actual work. Always take the time to learn, no matter who it's from.
Be realistic about expectations and deadlines
Fact: Estimates are difficult. Extremely difficult. The first part of managing both expectations and deadlines is learning to estimate well, and this only comes with years of experience in the technologies your project involves. The second part is realizing that no estimate is ever perfect, and that development is more of a fluid activity than a set of steps leading to a conclusion.
This is one of those 80/20 moments: In many -- if not most -- situations, 20% of your work will occupy 80% of your time. Knowing this and making it clear in your estimate and in your client communication will help avoid embarrassing and potentially damaging conflicts; as the deadline advances and that One Killer Feature is taking longer than the rest of the project combined, you'll want to make sure your client knows there's a good and valid reason for it.
"Feedback is a gift"
I once heard from a PM that worked for one of those aforementioned Fortune 500 companies that "feedback is a gift." That is the first thing that an employee learns at said company, and it's a key ingredient to the company's continuous innovation and growing success.
Stay in a constant feedback loop with your employees. Have them update the entire team of their progress and provide an "open forum" for providing strengths and opportunities. Not only will this increase your collaboration process, it will also help pinpoint team-members who are destined for greatness.
blog comments powered by DisqusKeep the client happy
Make sure the client is updated in the manner and frequency that they want to be updated. The best customer service is getting exactly what you're paying for, so do it.
