9 Project Management Goals to take your business to new heights

Project management is more than focusing on deadlines. As a project manager, you should have both short-term and long-term goals.

Before looking at what goals you should aspire for this New Year, let’s look at the “why” behind your goals. Your vision is critical if you want to ensure your goals remain goals and not just New Year resolutions. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Where do I see myself in the next five years?
• Is my role as a project manager a stepping stone to achieving my dream job?
• Am I passionate about being a project manager?
• What do I like and dislike about my job?
• Which areas do I want to improve?
• What are my strengths and weaknesses as a project manager

Once you have gained a clear vision for yourself as a project manager, you are ready to list your goals. Here are a few to get you started:

#1 Meet project deadlines

Meeting project deadlines is a goal almost every project manager keeps in mind. Hitting deadlines ensures project success and increased business profitability. Fortunately, time tracking tools such as TallyPro help managers identify project delays, track employee hours devoted to current projects, and better estimate future projects.

#2 Deliver quality work

Do more than stay within budget and scope. Look for ways to add value to the project. This may mean completing a project under budget or earlier than expected. Quality work is another opportunity to showcase to the clients that you have:

• Heard their “would-like-to-haves”, needs and wants
• Care about their satisfaction

Find ways to deliver on these “nice-to-haves” by adding them to your projects where applicable.

#3 Stay within budget

Besides delivering quality work on time, a project manager also needs to stay within the project budget. This requires careful consideration of the

• size of the team,
• supplies,
• administrative expenses,
• travel,
• equipment,

As a project manager, you need to be able to adapt yourself, your team and your project to remain within your budget limitations.

#4 Understand the business’ big picture

Each business project has a ripple effect on a company’s success. As a project manager, your job is to know what this “big picture” is. Understanding the “big picture” will help you remain in budget and establish yourself as a trusted leader.

#5 Improve communication skills

As with any good relationship, effective communication is vital to ensuring your success as a project manager. Let your team know the following:

• The vision for the project
• The impact the project will have on the company as a whole
• The project goals
• Which staff are being allocated to which task
• Deadlines

Be sure to follow up with your team regularly and create a culture of trust and reliability between yourself and your team.

#6 Embrace change

Be open to change. Project management requires some front-footed thinking. Move and adapt with your projects. To overcome project delays an increase in budget or a change in scope may be required.

Managing projects require scope, deadlines, and budget to adapt in order for the project to be successful.

#7 Be strategic

Don’t just stick to to-do lists and checklists. According to Brett Harned for Team Gantt, focus on the project goals and look out for ways you and your team can best meet them. This may require some adaptability and creativity. Certain tasks may need to be approached from a different angle and perspective.

#8 Stay current with your industry

Being recognized as a leader in your business and industry requires you stay current with your industry. Here are a few suggestions to help you know what is new or changing in your industry:

• Read blog posts, articles, and books focused on project management, team development, and your specific industry
• Watch YouTube videos by influential leaders in your industry
• Sign up for classes and online courses

Do whatever it takes to remain in the know.

#9 Lead well

Find out from your teams and managers what they see and expect from a good leader. This will give you insight into expectations. Ask yourself this question:

What does good leadership look like to me?

With this knowledge, you will have a clearer picture of:

• leadership expectations
• qualities of a good leader
• areas you need to work on to become a good leader

Find yourself a mentor who can inspire, teach, and guide you towards being the successful leader you want to be. A great way for finding project management mentors is to watch the work of others, or jump into LinkedIn groups, contribute your ideas and ask around for advice.