Efficient project management at the workplace
Projects are of great importance for companies, as they can only progress and grow with their realisation. With clear definition of project goals, effective monitoring of project progress and reflection on potential for improvement, there is nothing to stop companies from achieving project success. In this article you will learn how to effectively implement project management in the workplace and what can support you in doing so.
This article was kindly provided by TimeTrack.
This article was kindly provided by TimeTrack.
The basis of effective project management
Projects require effective goal-oriented planning in order to achieve the project goal in the best possible way. After the project plan has been clearly defined and possible difficulties have been discussed, project goals must be set so that the project can be kicked off. These should be challenging but also realistic at the same time. Depending on the project, the measurement value is linked to another key figure, which needs to be measured during the course of the project, such as time or productivity. To manage projects efficiently, project times need to be recorded from day one. Project time tracking provides you with an overview of the resources already invested and enables you to stop the project early if the budget is exceeded.
Successfully combating time-wasters at the workplace
Before revealing helpful methods to increase efficiency in the course of a project, tips on how to combat time-wasters are required first. Even the most proven method will not help you succeed in project management if you still have problems staying focused.
Especially nowadays, people are confronted with a multitude of stimuli every day, which makes it even more difficult for them to focus on one thing. Therefore, try to minimise the stimuli even more! In addition to mobile phones, phone calls and social media, emails in particular are big time-wasters, as there is often a flood of information that requires hours of work to organise. However, the information chaos also happens away from the smartphone and emails, as one quickly becomes overwhelmed by all the tasks that need to be done. Many have problems prioritising tasks and therefore tend to multitask. Whereas multitasking used to be considered a respected skill, today it leads to chaos, mistakes and a lot of time wasted, in addition to unfinished tasks. Perfectionism, which often takes up a lot of time and frustrates those affected by it, is sometimes to blame for this.
Basically, as in other areas of life, it is important to find the happy medium. If you have too many tasks, accept the help of others, but do not burden yourself with too much work. Give yourself a break, but don't spend too much time on your mobile phone. Plan your work steps, but don't be too perfectionistic!
Especially nowadays, people are confronted with a multitude of stimuli every day, which makes it even more difficult for them to focus on one thing. Therefore, try to minimise the stimuli even more! In addition to mobile phones, phone calls and social media, emails in particular are big time-wasters, as there is often a flood of information that requires hours of work to organise. However, the information chaos also happens away from the smartphone and emails, as one quickly becomes overwhelmed by all the tasks that need to be done. Many have problems prioritising tasks and therefore tend to multitask. Whereas multitasking used to be considered a respected skill, today it leads to chaos, mistakes and a lot of time wasted, in addition to unfinished tasks. Perfectionism, which often takes up a lot of time and frustrates those affected by it, is sometimes to blame for this.
Basically, as in other areas of life, it is important to find the happy medium. If you have too many tasks, accept the help of others, but do not burden yourself with too much work. Give yourself a break, but don't spend too much time on your mobile phone. Plan your work steps, but don't be too perfectionistic!
Best practices for project management
In order to manage projects from the office as well as from home, many business leaders rely on practical methods and frameworks that predetermine the course of a project. Depending on the project, the optimal approach for managing it varies, but the following methods and frameworks are among the most proven and will certainly give you a good insight into efficient project management.
The waterfall model
As a sequential process model, the waterfall model is a process with successive phases that are completed one after the other. Typically, the waterfall model consists of five phases, whereby the focus is more on the development of a product. Before the project can be implemented in the third stage, the project requirements must be defined in the first stage and the project design needs to be specified in the second stage. After the project has been implemented, a thorough audit is required in which weaknesses are checked and possibilities for improvement are tested before the project is completed in the last step.
Agile methods
The Scrum framework is probably the best-known project management approach, in which people and tasks are divided into roles (Developer, Scrum Master and Product Owner) and phases (Sprints) for the benefit of an ideal overview. It is an iterative approach in which the Scrum Master takes care of bridging all hurdles in the project, while the developers work on the product and exchange information about all new events in Daily Scrums.
Lean management
Lean management is a process-based approach that aims to save resources. By analysing all activities in detail, the effort is reduced to a minimum. The high level of information exchange has the advantage above all of avoiding delays in the course of the project.
The waterfall model
As a sequential process model, the waterfall model is a process with successive phases that are completed one after the other. Typically, the waterfall model consists of five phases, whereby the focus is more on the development of a product. Before the project can be implemented in the third stage, the project requirements must be defined in the first stage and the project design needs to be specified in the second stage. After the project has been implemented, a thorough audit is required in which weaknesses are checked and possibilities for improvement are tested before the project is completed in the last step.
Agile methods
The Scrum framework is probably the best-known project management approach, in which people and tasks are divided into roles (Developer, Scrum Master and Product Owner) and phases (Sprints) for the benefit of an ideal overview. It is an iterative approach in which the Scrum Master takes care of bridging all hurdles in the project, while the developers work on the product and exchange information about all new events in Daily Scrums.
Lean management
Lean management is a process-based approach that aims to save resources. By analysing all activities in detail, the effort is reduced to a minimum. The high level of information exchange has the advantage above all of avoiding delays in the course of the project.
Software for successful project time recording
Each of the approaches explained above has its advantages, but each of them involves a lengthy organisational and communication effort. In order to manage projects efficiently, time-saving tools such as TimeTrack are needed in addition to an effective approach. From the project times recorded by your employees, the software automatically generates reports and analyses in addition to target/actual comparisons, which provide companies of all sizes with an overview of the project status. Due to its simple operation and clear overview, the time tracking software minimises the communication effort and thus promotes transparency in companies at the same time, which means that there is nothing to obstruct efficient project management.
Author: Sara Loncarevic is a communication expert and works intensively on methods for successful time management. TimeTrack is an intuitive and modern time tracking software that supports companies in their work processes. The easy-to-use functions can be personalised in many ways and save users time every day.
Key words: Project management, PM Software, Tip