Project management is a tricky process that demands strong administration and supervision. The preliminary responsibilities of a project manager can condense handling complex projects and obtaining required results. However, to counterbalance all the segments of a complex project, a project manager has to work his fingers to the bone daily. Hence, a project manager has to own a bundle of skills surrounding decision-making, communication, delegation, and risk-taking, to mention a few. Project managers tend to deal with obligations, resources, time, and budget, along with managing projects.
Projects fail. There are many factors that impact on project failure. According to PMI, there are many primary causes of project failures.
Along with the above mentioned factors, project managers face many challenges. In this blog, we will walk you through the challenges faced by project managers and tips of resolve them.
Here is the list of the top 10 challenges faced by project managers.
1. Failure to set clear goals and objectives
2. Lack of appropriate skills in the project team
3. Flawed communication
4. Conflicts In The Team
5. Inadequate risk management
6. Unserviceable deadlines
7. Lack of accountability
8. The limited engagement of stakeholders
9. Budget Constraints and Changes
10. Finding effective project management software
1. Failure to set clear goals and objectives
The topmost typical challenges a project manager faces in the corporate field are internal issues. Usually, these issues could be poorly defined goals by a company. So, the challenges for the project manager emerge even before getting into a business. For a successful project fulfillment, it is necessary to be clear about what needs to be done. If the goals and objectives of a project are not undoubtedly clear, realistic, and defined, the project fails in the initial stage itself.
Further, to set clear business goals and objectives, the S.M.A.R.T. method is the most effective strategy.
S.M.A.R.T. stands for,
Specific – Measurable – Achievable – Reasonable – Time bound.
This method supports structure and orientation during the project and clears the objective of what needs to be done.
2. Lack of appropriate skills in the project team
A project manager tends to create a promising and productive work environment for the team. Even though a project manager might be excellent in their work, if the team lacks skills, then the outcome of the project might not be satisfying. However, to deal with the inappropriate team skills, a project manager should figure out all the skills of the team members and provide the required training and motivation to deliver remarkable work.
3. Flawed communication
Good communication can make the difference between the success and failure of a project. Good communication means team members work well together, tasks are assigned efficiently, and stakeholders are always in the loop about project progress.
Project managers usually depend on different collaborative and project management software that keeps everyone updated concerning the process. Project collaboration tools give transparency and make it easy for the project managers to keep accountability within the team. Here is a list of distinct types of communication that project managers can use in project management:
● Meetings
● Email
● Phone calls
● Discussion boards
● Surveys
● Presentations
● Memos
● Project plans
4. Conflicts In The Team
Another major challenge faced by the project manager in project management is the lack of intended direction and leadership. Lack of effective leadership is often a cause of conflict in the team. In addition, miscommunication and misunderstandings within the team are major obstacles that fail the project. Project managers are supposed to map out the root cause of the conflicts within the team to fix the issues and bring the situation under control.
5. Inappropriate risk management
Risk management in projects is about proactively recognizing possible forthcoming problems and comprehending their outcomes that help in decision-making about the projects. It is the responsibility of the project manager to ensure that the risk of operating on a respective project remains low. Likewise, the project manager can foresee the issues in the project and prepare earlier for such an outcome. The control measures can also support dealing with the risks accordingly.
6. Unserviceable deadlines
Having an unrealistic deadline is another project management challenge that can severely affect the outcome of the project. However, such a project will frustrate the project manager and the team and severely affect the work results that damage the reputation. The project managers can prevent unrealistic deadlines in the planning phase and plan achievable deadlines based on the team’s strengths and weaknesses without hurrying into the work.
7. Lack of accountability
Every team member of the project is accountable for the decisions and actions they take. Taking responsibility for the pros and cons of the decisions in the project brings a better outcome. Accountability in the workplace is connected with higher work engagement and more promising performance. On the other hand, a lack of accountability in the workplace can lead to negligence and missing obligations to the project goal.
Accordingly, to strengthen the sense of responsibility, the project manager should set the goals and objectives to give clarity to each member of the team about their responsibilities.
8. The limited engagement of stakeholders
Project managers should make sure that all the project stakeholders are on the same wavelength and have a clear vision of the project. An uninvolved client can generate a lot of problems in the conclusive stages of a project. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the customers’ feedback and keep them updated throughout the project.
In addition, inviting clients and other stakeholders to the project management tool to help them actively participate in shaping the project and delivering feedback. Further, keeping all internal and external stakeholders in the loop right from the initial stage of the project and scheduling regular meetings with all stakeholders to address their concerns as required helps to deal with the issues.
9. Budget Constraints and Changes
As the dimensions of a project and conditions change, so does the project budget. Project managers must design their budgets accurately and ensure that projects remain within the budget. Also, adopt efficient cost management techniques to prevent straying from the agreed-upon budget. Hence, budget management is a significant challenge.
Applying efficient cost management techniques to prevent surpassing the agreed budget enables project managers to deal with budget constraints and changes. Consider all scope increase possibilities during the planning phase and plan an additional budget for them to avoid cost overruns.
10. Finding effective project management software
An effective project management software facilitates teams to witness projects from concept to delivery, assuring that projects are concluded on time, on budget, and within the scope. Adopting proper project management software is the biggest challenge since it empowers teams to support projects that include planning, budgeting, managing tasks, allocating resources, tracking and reporting progress, and many other operations. It is conveyed that 77% of high-performing projects are operated with effective project management software for an exceptional outcome.
Conclusion:
To be an effective project manager, one has to own multiple skills to minimize the risk and face the challenges. Prepare yourself to be the best project manager by joining Excelsior Certification‘s Project Management Professional (PMP) training and certification. Contact us at support@www.excelsiorcertification.com or call us at +61 270215786. Join now!
