The PM Dance

For a project to succeed, the project manager must:

• Completing all project deliverables on time,
• Stick to the budget
• Adhere to quality standards

These goals do not seem too difficult to achieve, yet many projects face failure. One of the main reasons is a lack of planning. It is an ongoing process. The single most important activity that project managers engage in is planning -- detailed, systematic, team-involved plans are the only foundation for project success. Another trait of a successful manager is his/ her ability to overcome any unforeseen problems. This means the project manager should have a back up plan ready in case of any problems.

Another important duty is to keep the team focused. Most team members have lots of other priorities and completing the project may not be high up on their list of to-dos. The project manager must ensure that the team members’ attention doesn’t vary and that they are regular with project deliverables and deadlines.