Steelray Software
At the beginning of your project, there is nothing except possibilities. If you're good (and lucky), you'll have clearly defined objectives and deliverables. Of course, the parts between the beginning and end of the project are the "make or break" for the project's success. A lot of things must go well, but three things jump out as absolutely critical to the success of a project.
Planning. So much has been written about the importance of planning, and yet . . . this is the phase where corners are often cut. Plan everything you can. Plan the work that will be done. Plan for the things you know of that might go wrong. Plan for the things you don't know of that might go wrong. Imagine all of the scenarios that might be thrown at you, and think about how you'll adjust.
Vigilant Monitoring. If you're not checking in with everyone at frequent intervals, small problems become big problems. In a project, no news is not necessarily good news. Use any and all communication methods at your disposal to check in with the team to discover the real status. Good relationships are a critical success factor in this phase.
Response to Change. Change happens. Projects are dynamic, and even the best plans require adjustments. Make sure that you have a sensible process and an open mind about change.
There are many words of wisdom in the book Kiss Theory Goodbye by Bob Prosen, but I can use these to make my point:
Realize that at the beginning of the day, it's all about possibilities; at the end of the day, it's all about results.
Replace the word "day" with "project" and we have:
Realize that at the beginning of the project, it's all about possibilities; at the end of the project, it's all about results.
With proper planning, unwavering vigilance, and an open mind toward change, your results just may fulfill the best of your possibilities.
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