We are pleased to welcome Helen Sabell, guest blogger. She shares some great tips on how you can manage a project management crisis.
The entire team can enter crisis mode when a project is stalled. The alarm bells will ring, colleagues will panic, and all stakeholders will turn to the project manager. This role requires you to be able to manage sensitive situations with a solution-oriented, time-conscious approach.
Project managers will employ a variety of approaches to keep their team engaged and motivated during high-pressure periods. This helps them drive the project forward. These 5 tips will help you manage your next project management crisis.
Take Note of the Early Signs
Even seemingly unexpected challenges can have warning signs. Being aware of these will help you to stay on track and make your project deadlines more manageable. It is easy to stay on top of problems by being aware of rumours and following statistics closely. You will not be able to see the problem, no matter how small, if you turn your back.
Communicate with Your Team
A project manager must set an example and communicate clearly with the team during a crisis. Open communication helps to eliminate any confusion or doubt and keeps workers informed about any changes. Even experienced professionals can panic under increasing pressure and become negative. It is up to the project manager, to maintain a positive outlook and manage stress.
Update with the Bad
Although nobody likes to hear bad news in times of crisis, it is important to be realistic with your team. A project manager should not be afraid to communicate with stakeholders and highlight when a problem needs to be addressed immediately. They will appreciate being kept informed and working with a trustworthy professional team.
Be solution-focused
You will be much closer to solving the problem if you focus on the cause rather than passing the blame. This could lead to the project being stalled. Negative communication is not a good idea for your co-workers or you. Leading project managers will work tirelessly to ensure that their teams remain positive and enthusiastic when searching for a solution.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
There is nothing better than a quick and effective solution. It takes excellent communication, thorough research, and attention to detail to eliminate any chance of a crisis from ever happening. There will always be situations that cannot easily be predicted. In such cases, project managers should use the challenge to their advantage and ensure that the problem does not occur again.
Bio of the Author
Helen Sabell is a College for Adult Learning employee. She is passionate about adult learning, project management education, and adult learning. She has developed, authored, and directed many training and leadership programs for workplaces, both in Australia, and internationally.
