Project Management 101 (new tips in bad economy)

Economy is bad, company is not doing good, I am a project manager what do I do.

Since all the above are true for now here are a few things that I feel should be done:

- Things change, processes change, people change, as a Project Manager your primarily responsibility is to execute there is no excuse. Continue to deliver even if it means repeaable process or duplicated work.

- If you are working on one project and you have some badnwidth e.g. you are tasked at 70% on one project. You should go and look for another project and assignment. Net effect will be that you might be able to support both at 50%. Why change from 70-50% ? Because you might become more efficient. If you are forced into a situation you will be forced to make changes, you wil be forced to thing better ways. Moreover the more work you have on your plate the better.

- In a bad economy its always good to be on 2 boats. One things gets impacted other will save you. Always be on the lookout for health of the boat. One Sinks move to another and look for another boat which is on growth path.

- Being on mulitple projects will only give sense of security, it will expand skill in working in mulitple areas, it will win you new contacts and more mouths to cheer you.

- Never rest in an easy sitation, look for the hardest part and try and figure out the best solution and present it.

- There are always 2 sides of a coin, 2 parties in opposition, dont take any side, do the right thing. If they are leaders, do what it takes to give them both what they want even if it means duplication and multiple deliverables.

- No matter how process changes, never never let that impact execution. I know a specific instance where project was halted and a new process was being discussed. Net Impact to project loss of 1 month, it could have been avoided had we not stopped.

- Always double check your work. Before pubslishing important information which goes out to exec's etc.

- Always be open to criticism. Someone might know a better way, best to take the better way and not continue with the old approach.

- Always worry about your project and think something might go wrong. Its called risk. That is how you identify Risks and dont trust that everything will work out. Dont loose sleep over it but while you are at work, keep thinking of ways your project can be impacted.

- Think of way your can overdeliver. Thats what makes you better than the rest.