Successful Project Management

It’s a well-known reality that construction projects often exceed deadlines, go over budget and get blown out of the original scope. However, it is not impossible to deliver a project on time, under budget and to the brief. Understanding successful management steps and tips can make your next project flow with ease and is ultimately better for your business. There a few key things to consider that are crucial to the success of your project:

1. Initiation

Before kick-starting a new project you need to consider the feasibility of being able to complete the job at the highest standard. This involves looking at your calendar and deciding whether you have the time to take on the task. Most importantly, you must also decide whether you have the right people in your team to complete the job. By ensuring you build a supportive and experienced team, you are ensuring that if problems arise through the project, they will be dealt with effectively. 

2. Planning

Once you’ve committed to the project, it’s time to start building a roadmap for every twist and turn that the job will take as you work to completion. This is where you outline the scope, budget, and timeline. It’s important that you are constantly tweaking this with any changes that occur so you don’t come face to face with surprises down the track. During this stage, it’s a great idea to consider if implementing the use of any digital tools will benefit the project or the team. There are a host of revolutionary apps available for phones that are making the lives of project managers worldwide easier. We’ve compiled our top 5 apps for builders to download.  

3. Execution

Execution starts when work starts and the first ground is broken on the project. It’s advised that you hold an opening meeting now and layout the plan for the project clearly. While everyone may have different tasks, it’s crucial that you keep them accountable to their own unique timelines and budgets, all so that the other elements of the project can fall into place. Consider implementing standardised practices such as daily meetings. This way the team will come to know the ins and out of the project as well as you do. 

4. Monitoring and analysis 

Monitoring is an integral element of handing over a project on time. This is how you can determine the progress of the project and whether it is running according to the roadmap you developed in the planning stage. As you monitor, you’ll identify whether there are elements of the plan that need to be adjusted. Or need particular attention in order to be completed and allow for the next task to begin.

5. Completion

Once you’ve handed over the project, take the time to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. Identify if there is anything that is still outstanding that needs to be completed. Now you can also analysis your final budget and timeline. Try to identify where slip-ups may have occurred and make note of these to guarantee future successful project management.