How to Avoid Being an Anti-Social Project Manager
By Christopher Scordo PMP, ITIL
When it comes to project management, communication is critical; and part of easing
communication across a team is involves being… social. So where does one start?
Allow team members to contribute to project schedules When it comes
to deciding on deliverables and timelines, get the team involved. This will foster
an increased ownership and help improve the likelihood of the deadlines being met.
Individual team members should own status information - think of it as democratizing
the initial process.
Understand that public recognition is a good thing Humans are social
creatures, even the most anti-social of your team is an inherent pack animal and
we all strive to be recognized, especially when it comes to our work. Status meetings
are an absolute must – they should be scheduled in advance and structured well.
These meetings are important. They are an occasion for your team members to receive
recognition for their work from the whole team. This not only reinforces their loyalty
but helps everyone on the team understand their skills.
Capture all information related to the project From the nitty-gritty,
minuscule milestones documenting the work and progress, and any information that
affects the project, document everything. This will give you and your team an inclusive
picture so when you take stock at the completion of a project, you can see all of
the contributing factors.
When it comes to project management, democratizing and socializing the project makes
the most sense. The closer you get to the work, the better you will understand all
of the aspects of the project. Also, the more involved people feel, the better they’ll
understand how their work impacts on others’ timelines and milestones. This does
not diminish the role of a project manager but keeps everyone in the loop so things
run smoothly.
Those project managers who let go of micromanaging people and allow the team to
drive with the “top down” often see team morale and productivity increase.
Don’t relegate this process to a tiny computer screen. If at all possible – set
up colorful charts and storyboards for your team to note down information about
the project. Give them colorful markers and post its to build on the project. Taking
a break from the everyday drain of a computer screen and bringing your process into
reality is absolutely vital for you and your team’s mental wellbeing.
So, if you’re looking for a new and fresh approach to project management, consider
getting social, in a very traditional way.