Project Execution

Step one in executing a project is to get started on time. If you start late, and have planned accurately, you’ll probably end late.

Most projects start with a kick-off meeting. This helps get your team focused on what they’ll be doing; allows you to set the schedule for future meetings; provides an opportunity to deal with any last minute problems or changes; and helps to develop commitment to the project and the project schedule.

Everyone will now be off working on their project tasks. As project manager you may have project tasks assigned to you. This means your focus will be divided. Your job as project manager is to stay in touch with team members, and track the progress of the project. The project manager has the “big picture” view and needs to identify problems, and resolve them, as early in the project as possible. Although the project manager is “the boss”, they are also a “servant” to the project team—helping to ensure the team members have what they need to complete their tasks on time.

If you, as the project manager, have tasks assigned to you, be sure to get your tasks completed on time. It’s much too easy to give yourself some slack, allowing the completion of your tasks to lag behind schedule because you have supposedly “more important” things to do. If you don’t complete your tasks on time, other members of the team will not be able to complete their tasks on time.

As the project manager make yourself available. Check your email regularly and be available by phone. Require regular status reports from team members, and provide them with status updates. Keep an eye on the details. For example, have team members use punch lists to ensure the components of tasks are completed and nothing is left out. The punch list then forms the core of the status report for each task.