My Approach to Project Management

A couple of weeks ago, the project sponsor of a project I’m working on sent a really nice note in reference to my work. It said “Dagny knows her stuff and I like her approach.” Since then I’ve been really thinking about my “approach.” I know that I’m good at what I do, and in this case, I’ve been given the flexibility to run these projects my way. But still, I wonder what defines my approach.

In the end, I’ve come up with 3 core principles to my approach.

  1.  Questions, Questions, Questions – It is critical in any project you manage to be willing and able to ask as many questions as you need. This starts before you even take on the project in it’s entirety. Who are my resources? Are they dedicated or part-time to the project? Next is the deep dive into any specifications or other project documentation. What are the goals? What is being requested by the customer? What do the resources think it means? What does the development landscape look at? All of these are just to get you started. Once you manage the projects, it is still your responsibility to ask and push. This is the only way to understand what’s going on. It is also the only way to can effectively keep the stakeholders up to date, as well as truly be able to remove roadblocks for the resources.
  2. Communication – Once you dive in and ask all these questions, it’s equally important to document the answers and communicate the impact. This applies as much (if not more) to negative information as positive. Do not shy away from delivering bad news. Knowledge in an of itself is worthless. You need to make sure you are effectively aggregating, documenting and then communicating the information you find. Make it available. Your forthrightness will be appreciated.
  3. Oversight – I believe you need to check in with your resources and your stakeholders on a regular basis. A regular cadence of status meetings is recommended, but I would strongly consider subsequent email statuses delivered between meetings, especially for time sensitive/critical projects.

I think these 3 principles are at the heart of my project management methodology. They result in not just effective management of a project, but also help to build the trust you need with resources and stakeholders.

36 thoughts on “My Approach to Project Management

  1. Wonderful goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too excellent.I really like what you have acquired here, certainly likewhat you are stating and the way in which you say it.You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise.I cant wait to read much more from you. http://www.kayswell.com This is actually a wonderful site.

  2. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and all. However imagine if you added some great images or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, http://www.hairstylesvip.com this website could undeniably be one of the best in its field.

  3. to this require a great deal of work? I have very little knowledge of computer programming however I had been hoping to start my own blog in the near future. Anyway, should you have any suggestions or tips for new blog owners please share. http://www.kayswell.com I understand this is off topic but I simply needed to ask.

  4. What i do not understood is actually how you’re no longer really much more well-preferred than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You know thus significantly in terms of this subject, made me personally believe it from a lot of numerous angles. http://www.kayswell.com Its like men and women aren’t interested unless it’s something to do with Girl gaga! Your individual stuffs great. At all times deal with it up!

  5. I抣l immediately grab your rss feed as I can not find your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please let me realize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  6. Hello very nice web site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds also? I am satisfied to seek out so many useful information here in the put up, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.

  7. Hi every one, here every person is sharing these kinds of knowledge, therefore it’s good to read this blog, and I used to pay a quick visit this blog daily.

  8. I just like the valuable information you provide on your articles.I’ll bookmark your blog and test again here frequently.I’m quite certain I’ll be informed plenty of new stuff proper right here! Good luck for the next!

  9. I have come to understand that service fees for on-line degree experts tend to be an awesome value. For example a full College Degree in Communication with the University of Phoenix Online consists of Sixty credits with $515/credit or $30,900. Also American Intercontinental University Online provides a Bachelors of Business Administration with a total education course element of 180 units and a cost of $30,560. Online degree learning has made taking your degree far less difficult because you may earn your degree in the comfort of your abode and when you finish from work. Thanks for other tips I have learned through the web-site.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *