Improvement Report

One of the most common reasons for failure to deliver a project on time is that timetables aren’t adhered too. Work is not carried out over the project life-time but crammed in immediately before the due date (which we call the GCSE Coursework Effect).

Knowing what you need to do to deliver a project is essential, as is keeping your team focussed on the task in hand.

Key points

• Identify: Your starting point
• Define: The steps required for successful completion of the project
• Horizon: Define many short range milestones to keep focus.
  

It is important to regularly review progress. This process should be used to assess completion of tasks, mission critical tasks especially.

Key points

• Your project timetable should include regular dates for project review. Tying these in with the short range milestones is ideal.

• Be clear as to how you are going to measure your progress - don't allow too much wiggle room!

Ensure that all those involved in the project understand their roles, are clear about aims and objectives. Make sure that effective communication keeps everyone ‘in the loop’.

Key points

• Simple: Whenever issues and problems arise, keep it simple, remember the gist of it: roles and problems can often be summed up in a few words – don’t overwhelm people with meetings, memos, reports. Use a light touch management approach to avoid dragging the project down with admin.

• Remember, if projects are getting out of control and people are doing the wrong things, then it is time to step back and simplify.