The complexity of most projects makes it impossible for any one individual to manage an entire project’s scope, and building an effective project team is the key to project success. A critical piece of the project initiation phase is to select the project manager and project team members. For teams to be effective the following are required:
- Right skill mix•Good interpersonal skills
- Effective communication with the team and outside the team
- An effective Project Manager
The project manager is the point person for the project. The project manager organizes, budgets, directs, controls and removes barriers that exist in all project organizations. The role of the project manager is to:
- Develop and motivate the team
- Be the advocate for project communication
- Obtain support, buy-in and commitment from resources internal and external to the organization
- Communicate the project goal, as well as scope, schedule and budget requirements
- Monitor and report project performance internally and externally
- Be the champion for accomplishing project success
Effective project teams are comprised of committed and engaged people with the appropriate technical skills.
Having the wrong people on the team is just as bad or potentially worse than not having a team at all. It is important for the project manager to assist in defining clear responsibilities to the team members. Team members should also be familiar with the tools and techniques of project management to better understand their role in a successful team.
A project manager needs to have organizational knowledge, motivational skills and be a fluent communicator in the areas of project administration, conflict management and project execution. In some, but not all cases, the project manager should have detailed technical knowledge. The project manager must:
- Be responsible
- Be a positive influence
- Be accountable
- Be enthusiastic and celebrate success
- Control and monitor change management
- Focus the team on the GOAL
Effective, efficient and motivated project teams are key to Middough’s and our Client’s success - and are the backbone of PERFORMANCE YOU TRUST™.