A Complete List of 20 Best Project Management Tips

In my experience, project managers must sync various parts during the execution of any project. It includes sticking to the time of delivery and cost involved or handling productivity, they need to look at multiple goals. Some of their key targets include: 

• Properly manage resources and budgets

• Good communication with stakeholders and teams

• Identify and handle risks that impede project success

• Wise financial planning

Their capabilities will lead to successful outcomes. I think that they are vital for every stage of the project – from initiation and planning to execution and closure.  

You may have just started out with the role or have some experience in this domain. In either case, you would be looking for valuable insights on how to fare better at this complex role. If so, then I present in this post a list of the 20 best project management tips that help you excel in this space. They have helped me immensely in my journey. So I need to share my experience to help with complex project management.   

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The 20 Best Project Management Tips

These 20 project management tips listed here can be handy and knowledgeable for project manager. I have used them extensively, and I feel they can assist you as well in managing various tasks successfully to fulfill the project objectives. 

[1] Know the project inside out

The important project management tips include information that needs to be taken care of. Making a project thrive is the creation of a solid base. For this, you must define the clients and the stakeholders and their concerns and expectations for the project.

The next logical step would be to create a clear project plan where the roles and the job responsibilities are clearly outlined. Most importantly, you must set specific performance indicators to define whether the project is on the right track.

[2] Identify the project requirements

In my experience, identifying project requirements are crucial among tips for project management. Once a plan is developed, create a team capable of implementing it effectively by defining roles and allocating tasks based on personalities and expertise. 

In case of a need for an experienced expert, notify the HR branch to employ an appropriate applicant since they are crucial contributors to successful project delivery.

[3] Create a culture that encourages growth

One of the most crucial project management tips you can take to heart is finding value in failure. Hence, it is vital for one to learn from their mistakes. Instead of concentrating on top-performing teams and their excellent work, develop a culture of growth. 

Practice acknowledging mistakes caused by human error as opportunities to learn and improve. This approach is highly recommended for building balanced teams.

[4] Get a qualified project manager

It is essential to have a competent project manager for the project to run smoothly. An efficient and believable manager will ensure that none of the projects are uncompleted and will also make processes productive and fun. 

They will leave various decisions to the team but correct them whenever they see situations that call for correction. They also earn client trust and convey their expectations to work together towards a common goal. Hence, for any project to succeed, there has to be a competent project manager.

[5] Use a Project management tool

Based on my experience, project management software is a helpful tool that every project manager should have access to. It acts as a one-stop center for all team members. It also correctly saves project data and information related to a project. This includes:

• Documents

• Files

• Feedback

• File-sharing

There are many tools available for organizations to choose from based on their preferences. This allows teams to collaborate and produce excellent projects with the best features.

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[6] Manage risks

The most critical component of project management tips is risk management. It enables the spotting of possible threats to the project’s progress. However, knowing these risks early allows one to take the necessary measures.

With experience in similar projects, you can predict when dangers will appear and when to make a move. Organizations now focus on risk management to ensure it doesn't prevent their tasks from being successful.

[7] Proper Communication 

Interactions between stakeholders and clients also play an important role in ensuring a project runs smoothly. To avoid a situation where someone is caught off guard, new changes should be reported to team members in advance.

Lack of communication can damage the outcome of a project. Make sure that everyone has all the information required to make decisions and go ahead with the project. Project reports are beneficial in keeping the team updated on new information. This will help everybody to be on the same page.

[8] Stay updated with project status 

Meetings and weekly reports are important tips for project management to assess the next steps. They serve to keep things honest and do not allow for uncomfortable discussions about extra time or money required for the project.

The daily meeting allows proper discussion of the team's responsibilities and project management plans. If you are dealing with clients, you must send them project schedule details and updates every week in writing. Build project due dates and friendly relationships through simple phone calls or mail.

[9] Test Deliverables

At each key stage, all the deliverables must be validated for effective project management. That way, you get a clear picture of whether the project is as it was intended to be or not. 

Examining deliverables is important to identify whether they have met or surpassed the planned goal. If there are any errors, they can be corrected on the spot to get it back on a good path.

[10] Know your Team's strengths and Weaknesses

In my opinion, truly remarkable results of the project depend on the abilities of the people involved in the process. An effective manager knows the strengths and limitations of the team, which make planning and distributing easier. They ensure that work is assigned to capable and quick people in doing tasks.

This enhances the timely completion of tasks and proper management of time. Thus, a project can succeed if everyone puts their best foot ahead.

[11] Estimate budgets

Budgeting can be challenging at times. It would be advisable to seek the services of someone with financial abilities if you are in a position to do so.

If not, here are some basic measures that may be taken. The first step is to split the project into segments and determine each segment's cost. If this is added up, you will know how much a project will take to complete.

Then, you can charge precisely to earn the profit that you deserve. However, do not forget to include additional costs, including any work that must be outsourced and other items or tools.

[12] Maintain a ‘two-way’ feedback system 

To have a proper working setting, feedback cannot be a one way street. Everyone on the team should be able to review the work done by the team members and give their opinion.

When two-way feedback is encouraged, it shows healthy workplace communication and provides an opportunity for self-assessment among the teams.

The project management tool is for writing feedback and documenting. This can assist in raising the level of overall productivity.

[13] Create a task list

The task list may not seem like anything new, but it is a must-do for any project to start and get going. This way, you will be able to determine the extent of the work that is required to be achieved in the project.

If each task can also include notes, a time scale, and an employee assigned to the particular task then this will enhance productivity.

[14] Automation

Automation is useful to improve your workflow. In fact, automation can even turn into your ally as a project manager. It relieves unnecessary work so you can concentrate on the work that requires your input and skills.

Here are the examples of automation.

• Sends real time messages and notifications

• Updating task progress

• Allotting resources

If you fail to automate the project execution stage of business processes, your operations may slow down. This may cause the project to take a longer time to be completed.

Hence, using automation to manage dependencies and show ongoing task progress is an economical approach to project management.

[15] Keep a Plan B

We always begin a well-planned project with much effort yet encounter difficulties executing the tasks. This is when we need a backup plan or an option for the strategy.

Select other options for the project’s core elements. Cater to a primary set of variables in the project before even getting down to the minor aspects of it.

The fact is having a risk plan is great for preventing issues that do not ever occur. It can also help show other team members that you are ready for the project and know what to do.

[16] Don’t micromanage

Attend some meetings with the team members who will work on the project. But give them the freedom to work without giving them the impression that you are always over their shoulders. Maintaining that balance here is crucial to guaranteeing productivity and ensuring team members can give their best.

[17] Expect project setbacks

No matter how well-planned and strategized a project is, it can face downfalls. You have to take the stakeholders' feedback about the deadlines and budget limitations to prevent a snowball effect on the project.

Preparation and risk assessment will save the day. This means it is necessary to anticipate problems through risk management and backup plans. 

Every project is unique and that applies to organizations as well. Thus, crisis management is relevant to address various tough situations. Take lessons from failures. Thus, you can handle further project problems more wisely.

[18] Do not forget the main goal

While working on the project, keep a close eye on its broader context and purpose. Regularly get in touch with your team members to ensure they remain focused on the end point and grasp how their individual roles aid deliverables. Introduce an external key performance indicator to enable each worker to assess their progress.

[19] Manage the agreed-upon scope

There is no doubt that you will be required to provide additions to the tasks, new features or phases not initially outlined in the project. Should you include these proposals and simply hope you can still complete the project on time? Not necessarily.

In this case, you can research how it will affect the project and share your findings with your manager or project sponsor. They will decide whether or not to allow scope change.

[20] Wrap up the project

Each task has been finished. What is next? As you go on to your next project, ensure that all the expectations and success indicators outlined in Step 1 have been achieved. 

Have the project sponsor and stakeholders been satisfied with the project’s result? Moreover, what insights have been gained from the success and failure of the process at different phases of the project? 

Bringing up these questions to the team can only help enhance performance in future projects.  This list of 20 best project management tips can guide you properly and correctly toward success. 

Conclusion 

Managing projects is important to make them successful. Using these project management tips, you can overcome the difficult aspects of managing projects and achieve the best outcomes. The above tips are from my experience in managing project.

Remember that every project or assignment is unique, so it is always good to adapt and be prepared to overcome all the obstacles to achieve the objective.

To learn more about project management tips, you can join the PMP certification course at StarAgile delivery partner PMI. The certification holders are performing well in their roles and company. 

Also Read: Importance of Project Planning 

FAQs

Q1 - How to know which tip for project management is best?

To find one of the best project management tips:

• Consider your project needs.

• Check its goals and any issues you might have.

• Think about how complex it is and what resources you have.

• Choose tips that fit your project’s specific needs and challenges.

Q2 - What are the five success factors in project management?

- Project management's five critical success factors include: 

• Powerful leadership

• Proper communication

• Detailed planning

• Ongoing monitoring and adaptation

• Stakeholder engagement