When it comes to Information Technology (IT) project management, what I’ve come to realize is that it is much easier to muck up a project than get it to run smoothly. And to deliver great results, well, you have to be a supermanager! Or do you? Agreed IT projects are more vulnerable than others. But that doesn’t mean you are allowed to drive a project into the ground.

Here are a few common sense tips that will help you strengthen your approach to IT planning and implementation?

Know the Need: One of the first impediments you need to deal with is the purpose. Is the purpose of the project clear to you? Have your seniors/ the client managed to clearly express the objectives and purpose of a project? As manager, you should be able to ensure that you get very clear instructions as to the scope, requirement and final purpose of the project. You and your team should not be forced into trying to define and interpret the project because then your timelines and quality will suffer. And that is absolutely unacceptable.

Reality Check: It’s very easy to promise the sky, but next to impossible to deliver it. Be realistic about your team’s capabilities and timelines. Don’t promise something you cannot deliver. Ensure that you and your team understand the project requirements and then work out a plan that will help you deliver a quality product within a realistic timeframe.

Ensure support: No project can work if you don’t have the support of you’re your team and your seniors. This can be done by creating a lateral working relationship with your team and letting them know the progress of the project on a regular basis. Same goes for the senior management.

In case your project has reached a critical stage and you are in need of more resources, you should be able to convince your senior level manager of your need and get the resources you require without creating any conflicts of interest.