Do you own a business? Or do you work for one? Either way, you’ve likely encountered projects – or you will at some point. It’s almost as unavoidable as sand in the Sahara. You might face a situation where your company needs to implement a new system, launch a major campaign, or tackle something entirely different. Projects come in all sizes, big and small, and across all sectors and industries. But how do you manage project management in the best way possible? You'll find a qualified answer here.
There are various methods for project management and leadership, including the Agile method, the strategic method, and the change management method. The method you choose should often align with the core of the project and the spirit of the company. It’s helpful to ask yourself these questions: What is the project about? And who will the project impact? These questions are highly relevant in determining which method you should choose.
The Agile method involves being flexible. This means there is no fixed timeline or predetermined framework for how to achieve the goal. Instead, the process is developed along the way through testing and evaluation. In recent years, the Agile method has gained popularity in sectors such as IT, where experimenting and following up on results is often essential to creating something new. This is because you don’t always have a "best practice" from the outset.
When using this method, it’s essential to view the project from a helicopter perspective. This means avoiding a fragmented view of the project and instead seeing it as a whole. The goal can remain flexible, as the focus isn’t solely on completing the product. The project is only considered complete when the impact of the implemented product can be measured and its contribution to the broader business is evaluated.
With this method, the focus is on how the change in the project impacts both external and internal components. It’s not just about achieving the goal of producing the product; attention must also be given to the implementation process. For example, a change plan is often executed for how a system should be implemented internally within a company. Questions like what to do if the implementation faces resistance and how to support employees who need help mastering the implementation are key topics that may be addressed in a change management plan.
Which method best suits your and the company's vision? This is the first question you should answer to figure out how to handle your project management. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the examples. The Agile method, for instance, can be time-consuming if experiments need to be tested multiple times. However, the method can also result in a secure and well-tested product before it hits the shelves.
If you have a project that employees in your company need to adopt as a tool, it might be an advantage to focus on change management. If the project does not impact a large part of your employees, another method may be more appropriate.
Finally, the strategic method can be valuable if you want to see results across the company. If the project will impact large parts of your business sectors, such as IT, finance, marketing, etc., it may be a good idea to view the project as a whole and follow up on the results in the different sectors. On the other hand, if your project does not impact several sectors in your company, one of the other two methods may be the best choice for you.
Once you’ve chosen a method, you should create a plan that supports your chosen approach. For example, should you create a timeline? Should you develop a plan for implementing your project with respect to employees? Or should you create a plan for how often parts of the project should be reviewed? You may also want to consider using a tool to track your project. There are many online tools like Monday, Asana, etc., where you can "map" your project and assign tasks to individuals. This can be an effective way to maintain an overview of your project.
Once you’ve answered these questions and created a plan that supports your method, you’re ready to get started. However, you should consider how many programs you want to use to maintain an overview. If you want a cash register system that can also handle planning, Shopbox is the right system for you. By integrating planning with your cash register system, you have everything in one place, so you won’t have to deal with different logins and software. Contact us to learn more about your options.