20 Project Management Principles for Project Success

Project management is the process of leading a team to achieve specific goals and objectives. It involves planning, organizing, and executing projects in a way that ensures they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required level of quality. To achieve project success, project managers must adhere to certain principles that guide their decision-making and actions. Here are 20 project management principles for project success.

1. Define Clear Goals and Objectives

The first step in achieving project success is to define clear goals and objectives. This involves identifying what the project is trying to achieve, who the stakeholders are, and what the project deliverables are. The goals and objectives should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).

1.1 Establishing SMART Goals

To ensure that project goals and objectives are SMART, project managers should:

• Clearly state what the project aims to achieve.
• Break down the goals into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Identify how each goal will be measured.
• Determine whether the goals are achievable within the given constraints (e.g. budget, resources, timeline).
• Specify a deadline for achieving each goal.

“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” - Zig Ziglar

2. Define Roles and Responsibilities

The next step in achieving project success is to define roles and responsibilities. This involves identifying who will be responsible for each aspect of the project, including planning, execution, and monitoring. Project managers should also ensure that everyone on the project team understands their role and what is expected of them.

2.1 Assigning Roles and Responsibilities

To assign roles and responsibilities effectively, project managers should:

• Identify the skills and experience required for each role.
• Assign individuals to roles based on their strengths and areas of expertise.
• Ensure that everyone on the team understands their role and what is expected of them.
• Provide clear lines of communication so that team members can collaborate effectively.

“The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” - Ken Blanchard

3. Develop a Project Plan

The next step in achieving project success is to develop a project plan. This involves defining how the project will be executed, including the timeline, resources, and budget. Project managers should use a Gantt chart or other project management software, such as Wrike, Microsoft Project, or Smartsheet, to develop their project plan.

3.1 Creating a Project Timeline

To create an effective project timeline, project managers should:

• Break down the project into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Assign start and end dates to each task.
• Identify dependencies between tasks (i.e. which tasks must be completed before others can begin).
• Add contingency time for unexpected events or delays.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Nelson Mandela

4. Monitor and Control Progress

The next step in achieving project success is to monitor and control progress. This involves regularly tracking the project’s performance against the project plan, and making adjustments as necessary. Project managers should also be prepared to identify and address potential issues before they become problems.

4.1 Tracking Progress

To track progress effectively, project managers should:

• Regularly review the project plan and compare it to actual progress.
• Identify any deviations from the plan and determine the cause.
• Take corrective action to get the project back on track.
• Communicate progress to stakeholders and seek feedback.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” - Winston Churchill

5. Manage Risk

The next step in achieving project success is to manage risk. This involves identifying potential risks to the project, assessing their likelihood and impact, and developing strategies to mitigate or avoid them. Project managers should regularly review their risk management plan and update it as necessary.

5.1 Identifying Risks

To effectively identify risks, project managers should:

• Look at the project from different perspectives (e.g. technical, financial, operational).
• Consider potential risks at each stage of the project.
• Consult with stakeholders and project team members to identify potential risks.
• Use tools such as a SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

5.2 Assessing Risks

To assess risks effectively, project managers should:

• Determine the likelihood of each risk occurring.
• Identify the potential impact of each risk on the project.
• Prioritize risks based on their likelihood and impact.

“Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” - Warren Buffett

6. Manage Resources

The next step in achieving project success is to manage resources effectively. This involves ensuring that the right resources (e.g. people, equipment, materials) are available when and where they are needed. Project managers should also be prepared to adjust resource allocation as necessary to ensure the project stays on track.

6.1 Allocating Resources

To allocate resources effectively, project managers should:

• Identify the resources required for each task.
• Determine the availability of each resource.
• Allocate resources based on priority.
• Monitor resource utilization and adjust allocation as necessary.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Peter Drucker

7. Communicate Effectively

Effective communication is critical to project success. Project managers should establish clear lines of communication and ensure that everyone on the project team is kept informed of progress, changes, and any issues. Communication should be regular, timely, and appropriate to the audience.

7.1 Establishing Communication Channels

To establish effective communication channels, project managers should:

• Determine the most appropriate method of communication for each situation (e.g. email, phone, face-to-face).
• Ensure that everyone on the project team understands how to communicate effectively.
• Encourage open and honest communication.
• Provide regular updates on project progress.

“The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” - George Bernard Shaw

8. Manage Stakeholder Expectations

The next step in achieving project success is to manage stakeholder expectations. This involves ensuring that stakeholders understand what the project aims to achieve, what the project deliverables are, and what their role is. Project managers should also be prepared to manage conflicts and address any concerns raised by stakeholders.

8.1 Engaging Stakeholders

To engage stakeholders effectively, project managers should:

• Identify all stakeholders and their interests.
• Establish open lines of communication with stakeholders.
• Seek feedback from stakeholders on a regular basis.
• Address any concerns raised by stakeholders.

“People support what they help create.” - Mark Sanborn

9. Continuously Improve

The final step in achieving project success is to continuously improve. This involves regularly reviewing project performance and making adjustments as necessary. Project managers should seek feedback from stakeholders and team members, and use this information to improve processes and procedures.

9.1 Reviewing Performance

To review performance effectively, project managers should:

• Regularly review project performance against the project plan.
• Identify areas for improvement.
• Seek feedback from stakeholders and team members.
• Implement changes to improve processes and procedures.

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” - Steve Jobs

Conclusion

In conclusion, project success is achieved by following a set of principles that guide decision-making and action. These principles include defining clear goals and objectives, defining roles and responsibilities, developing a project plan, monitoring and controlling progress, managing risk, managing resources, communicating effectively, managing stakeholder expectations, and continuously improving. Project managers who follow these principles are more likely to achieve project success.