Bruce Gay, PMP | @brucegay

Guidance for Project Managers

Recently I worked on a turnaround project that needed some additional project management discipline and rigor.

What follows is guidance provided to other Project Managers that I want to share with you.

Tips for Becoming a Better Project Manager

Bruce Gay, PMP | @brucegay

Empathy and listening is key to being a successful Project Manager.

Be an escalation point for your teams to ensure their issues are addressed in a timely manner.

Teams do not communicate well.

It is our jobs as Project Managers to correct mis-communications or delays in communication.

Get your hands dirty.

Step in and do project work not assigned to any one group.

Spend time to think about the bigger picture.

Keep a watchful eye on dependencies and their impacts on milestones.

Stay focused on the Top 3-4 critical issues that could derail your team’s progress.

Make sure your team takes time to prepare for key stakeholder meetings.

Challenge your team.

Teach your team not to run away from problems.

Cut down meeting durations.

Keep meetings focused and outcome based.

Shield your team from as much administrative work as possible

Do not overlook cultural differences and customs when you have a multi-national team.

Project Manager Guidance• Empathy and listening is key to being a successful PM.• Issue escalation is a powerful tool. Ensure your team’s issues are addressed in

a timely manner.• Teams do not communicate well. It is our jobs as Project Managers to correct

mis-communications or delays in communication.• Get your hands dirty – Step in and do work not assigned to any one group.• Think strategically and think about the bigger picture.• Keep a watchful eye on dependencies and their impacts on milestones.• Stay focused on the Top 3-4 critical issues. • Make sure your team prepares for key stakeholder meetings. • Challenge your team. Teach your team not to run away from problems.• Cut down meeting durations. Keep then focused and outcome based.• Shield your team from as much administrative work as possible.• Do not overlook cultural differences and customs when you have a multi-

national team.

Share these Tips for Becoming a Better Project Manager

Thank you.

Bruce Gay, PMP | Twitter: @brucegaybrucegay@verizon.netwww.linkedin.com/in/brucegay