How to deliver a great presentation in project management

Delivering an excellent presentation is an essential skill for any project manager. Whether you're pitching an idea to your boss, giving a status update to your team, or leading a meeting, if you can present effectively, you'll be more successful in your career.
But delivering great presentations isn't easy – it takes practice and preparation. In this article, we'll discuss how to deliver an excellent presentation. At the end of this article, you should be able to:
 
  • Understand the basics of great presentations
  • Prepare for your presentation
  • Deliver your presentation with confidence
  • Answer questions effectively
Two persons give a presentation to several participants.

What makes a good presentation delivery?

The final stage of any project is presenting the results to clients, investors, and other interested parties. A successful presentation delivery can make the difference between a project being deemed a success or a failure.
So, what makes a good project management presentation delivery? First and foremost, it is important to be well prepared. This means having a clear and concise deck highlighting the project's key findings.
Secondly, it is vital to be able to effectively navigate through the deck, highlighting only the most important information. Finally, it is essential to be able to answer any questions that may arise.
A good project management presentation delivery is clear, concise, and informative. With these three elements, you can ensure that your next project presentation is a success.

What are the five ways of giving a better project management presentation?

It can be hard to give a great project management presentation – but it's worth the effort. And there are some key things you can do to make sure your next presentation is a success. Here are five of the most important:

Keep it Simple

When delivering a presentation, it is important to focus on a few key messages that will really resonate with your audience instead of trying to pack in too much information. This will help to keep your presentation simple and easy to follow.
It is also important to remember that your audience may not be familiar with all the technical terms and jargon that you use on a daily basis. As such, it is important to explain these terms in plain English (or in the language that has been specified in advance for this purpose) so that everyone can understand what you are talking about.
Finally, try to avoid using too many slides. Instead, focus on delivering a concise and well-organized presentation that will engage and inform your audience.

Make it Visual

People are far more likely to remember information if it is presented visually. So when making a project management presentation, make sure to use charts, graphs, and images to help your audience better understand the data.
Not only will this make your presentation more engaging, but it will also help viewers retain the information more effectively. Additionally, consider using contrasting colors to make important points stand out.

Tell a Story

A good story can be really powerful – so try to weave one into your presentation. This will help to engage your audience and make your presentation more enjoyable to listen to.
Think about the overall narrative of your project – what were the challenges you faced? How did you overcome them? What were the key learnings?
By sharing a story, you can really bring your presentation to life and make it more relatable for your audience. Don't forget to practice your delivery beforehand so that you can ensure you tell the story effectively.

Be Passionate

When delivering a presentation, it is important to convey your passion for the project. This will help to engage your audience and make them more likely to be committed to the project.
Try to avoid sounding too monotone or boring – instead, infuse your presentation with energy and enthusiasm. If you are passionate about the project, you will be able to inspire your audience.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Finally, it is important to remember that practice makes perfect. Before delivering your presentation, make sure to rehearse it several times so that you are confident and comfortable with the material.
You may also want to videotape yourself so that you can see how you come across to an audience. By taking the time to practice, you can ensure that your next project management presentation is a success.

What should you not do when giving a presentation?

In addition to following the tips above, there are also a few things you should avoid doing when giving a presentation. These include:

Simply reading off the slides

When delivering a presentation, it is important to engage with your audience and make eye contact – not simply reading off the slides. This will make your presentation more engaging and also help to keep your audience's attention focused on you.

Using too much jargon

As mentioned above, it is important to explain technical terms in plain language so that everyone can understand what you are talking about. Using too much jargon will only confuse and alienate your audience.

Overwhelming your audience with too much data

When presenting data, it is important to be selective and only include the most important and relevant information. Overwhelming your audience with too much data will only serve to confuse them and make your presentation less effective.

Making your presentation too long

Your presentation should be concise and to the point – otherwise, you risk losing your audience's attention. Try to focus on the most important points and avoid including too much unnecessary information.

Forgetting to practice

As with any presentation, it is important to practice beforehand so that you are familiar with the material. By taking the time to rehearse, you can ensure that your presentation goes off without a hitch.

Closing thoughts

It isn't easy to give a great presentation – but it is possible. By following the tips above, you can ensure that your next presentation is both engaging and informative.
Just remember to avoid common pitfalls, such as reading off the slides or using too much jargon. And most importantly, don't forget to practice!
Author: An expert in project management, Dennis Lodge also doubles as a freelance writer, blogger, and copywriter with expertise in education, career, and finance. He also helps with academic writing work at Essayontime.com and College-paper.org where he is a regular contributor.

Key words: Project management, Guide, Tips

The IAPM certification

The certification can be taken via a reputable online examination procedure. The costs are based on the gross domestic product of your country of origin.

From the IAPM Blog

Become a Network Official

Do you want to get involved in project management in your environment and contribute to the further development of project management? Then become active as an IAPM Network Official or as a Network Official of the IAPM Network University. 


For better readability, we usually only use the generic masculine form in our texts. Nevertheless, the expressions refer to members of all genders.