Page 4 - Metroid Mag - November 2016_Neat2

4 METROID MAG

5
PROJECT

MANAGEMENT TIPS

Focus on the critical path Communicate regularly with Be wary of scope creep
A common mistake some project managers suppliers & contractors Scope often changes throughout a project,
make is not effectively prioritising their tasks For most of us human beings, effective com-
in order to focus on the ones that are part of munication doesn’t come naturally. But mix and all too often it’s easier to just swallow it
the critical path - i.e. the parts of the project poor communication skills with project man- and keep on striding. However additions to the
which dictate the speed of execution. agement and you have chaos every time. You project can have a major impact on cost and
For example, spending time on confirming can never communicate too much with your budget and shouldn’t be ignored. If a client is
plumbing parts that are purchased locally suppliers, contractors, team members etc. wanting to add a not insignificant feature that
sameday instead of confirming details for a Keep people in the loop. Request updates from wasn’t allowed for in the original budget, a vari-
supplier order for custom fabricated steelwork your suppliers and if they don’t give them, keep ation should be submitted, at very least to the
with a four week leadtime. in touch with them on a regular basis to ensure schedule, if not to the cost. Don’t allow addi-
Map out the critical path and stay focussed on nothing goes pear-shaped. tions or changes to your project to wittle down
it: what is the current constraint on my proj- Never assume everything is all good: find out your profit on the job, or run you at risk of late
ect, what are we currently waiting on or will on a regular basis. completion.
be waiting on? Use Outlook reminders (Ctl +
Shift + A) to remind yourself to followup critical
path tasks that are being done by others.
Have a system for noting
opportunities for improvement
Throughout every project, there will be many
Allow room for contingencies
things done in the same way as previous and
Unfortunately Murphy is not dead, and he’s there is always a better of way of doing every-
got no intention of dying anytime soon. The thing in this world. Note down improvement
fact is things do and will always go wrong and ideas or even just tasks that are frustrating or
delay your project. Without allowing room for time consuming, then assess them later and
unknowns (time and budget) invariably you trigger actions for improving the process for
end up in a mess of upset customers, liquidat- next time. You can’t fix everything at once, but
ed damages, unnecessary overtime/expiditing having a system of capturing and acting on
costs and generally unnecessary grey hair and ideas is essential for increasing efficiency over
high blood pressure. time.