According to a recent survey of project managers, nearly 35 percent of the failures they experience can be contributed to a lack of clearly defined goals. It is your job as a project manager to keep every aspect of a new project moving forward.
While most project managers realize the value of providing their team with workflow visualizations tools like Kanban boards, few realize just how important proper motivation can be to the success of a project. If your team does not feel appreciated or motivated, it is only a matter of time before their productivity levels start to decline.
Are you looking for a way to keep your team motivated? If so, consider the following tips for success.
1. Allow Your Team to Provide Feedback
The first thing all project managers need to realize is that they are not running a dictatorship. In order for a project to progress and be successful, you will need to make an effort to be democratic in your approach.
Letting your team know that you value their feedback from day one can be extremely beneficial. If the members of your team feel like their opinion matters, they will work much harder to accomplish the tasks you have assigned them.
Getting feedback from your team is also a great way to spot and fix issues before they cause big problems. Often times, your team will be able to look at the project objectively, which helps them identify potential problems.
2. Cloud-Based PM Software is Helpful on a Number of Levels
The key to having a successful project management experience is keeping your team “in the know” regarding recent developments. Using traditional project management tools and software makes real-time updates nearly impossible. Rather than letting these outdated tools get in the way of project management success, you need to make some updates.
With cloud-based project management software, you can provide your team with up to the minute updates on the progress being made. Keeping everyone in the loop helps with things like morale and accountability. Consulting with IT professionals is the best way to find out what type of project management software is the best fit for your needs.
3. Performance Reviews are Helpful
Most project managers make a habit of doing performance reviews at the end of a work-cycle. Instead of waiting until the end of a project to offer praise or constructive criticism, you should perform these reviews as the project is progressing. Not only does this show your team you are paying attention to the hard work they are doing, it can also help keep everyone motivated.
When preparing for these reviews, be sure to make a few notes. The last thing you want is to go into one of these meetings unprepared due to the damage it can do.
You should also avoid being overly-critical of a team member’s performance. Using these reviews as a chance to teach your team is a great idea. If your employees feel like you are there to help them, the sting of constructive criticism will be nearly non-existent.
4. Set Both Individual and Team Goals
For the most part, project managers are familiar with how to set and track team goals. However, many project managers simply overlook the value and benefits of setting individual goals.
Providing a team member with a task that is all their own can give them a chance to shine. Before you set individual goals, be sure to assess the strengths your team members have. Assigning tasks that are based on something a team member excels at is a winning recipe for project management success.
Becoming a great project manager will take time and lots of effort. Taking the time to learn from your mistakes and improving your skills as a project manager will allow you to achieve the goals you have set.
