Project managers, who struggle to get things done on time, will appreciate these business timeline tips. They can help improve the efficiency and understanding of your project.
Very often, you’re collaborating with skilled colleagues but the work is slowed by little issues that impact your timeline. These delays produce frustration, as well as cost you time and money.
This is a problem that even affects large companies, as some project management failures have become legendary. While your challenges may not come with billion dollar price tags, they are important. Consider these tips to improve your business timeline.
Share the Vision
Can you clearly communicate the goal of the project? You want people to understand the importance of what they are doing, so they’ll buy-in to the desired outcome.
An important task, may seem like busywork, if there’s not understanding.
Outline the Process and Priorities
When different people have to contribute to a timeline, it’s important for everyone to understand their role in the process. Otherwise, people may think of their work as not being related to the next step, which may negatively impact progress.
Often, when it comes to business timeline tips, I tell people to think of their assignment like being in a relay race. The longer it takes to get your work done, the harder it may make things for the next person.
Communicate Challenges
For any project, you should expect unexpected things to happen. For instance, an illness could take a key team member out of the office for several weeks.
Another scenario sees a new business challenge demand a department’s full attention. So their work on the project is put on hold but for a legitimate reason.
These things will come up but often they are not communicated to other members of the project. Always share news, especially bad news or new challenges.
Imagine the person responsible for the second part of a project put in lots of long days to get the work done on time. Later they find out the hustle was for nothing, as the person who’s handling the third part of the project now won’t be able to work on it for weeks.
A certain amount of frustration is understandable and sadly it could have been prevented with some communication.
Convey Urgency
Does your timeline need to end by a certain time? Or is it something that’s just nice to have in the future?
If people don’t know your urgency, then they may put your project at the bottom of their to-do list.
Support with Resources
In order to successfully contribute to the project, will people need help to succeed? Some of these actions can act as a catalyst for success:
- Temporarily adjusting an employee’s workload to free up time;
- Talking to a supervisor about making sure their employee is able to contribute to the project at the desired level;
- Using interns to add to the people power needed for the project;
- Simply asking, “What can we do to help you complete your contribution to the timeline?”
Ken Okel Performs Virtual Keynotes Too
