Parallel Project Implementations are time-consuming for project managers.
A project in itself may belong; it could be even several months in duration. However, the longer it is, the harder it is to stay motivated when you are working on it. It’s even harder to stay motivated when you are doing routine tasks that won’t reap any rewards for quite some time.
When it comes to project management, one of the most vital aspects for project managers is how to supervise parallel projects properly. Unfortunately, many factors are beyond the control of a Project Manager alike. However, some aspects can be controlled to reduce the risks on the overall project.
10 Tips Parallel Project Implementations
1. Plan all tasks in advance
Tasks that require multiple steps or require a significant amount of time (like implementing a large project). So, it should be a great idea to plan and organize before you execute it.
Parallel project implementation involves executing several tasks simultaneously, which can be difficult because the timelines between jobs don’t align. This is especially true if each task requires a different set of skills or expertise.
To make things easier for yourself, plan all tasks in advance and address multiple projects at once.
Start by creating a list of all the tasks you want to accomplish. Then, incorporate them into your plan.
Next, organize them into teams and assign team members to specific tasks.
Finally, work together to execute and complete each item on your list — just as you would with any other project.
2. Arrange team meetings regularly
Project implementation is a long-term process. Therefore, it is essential to arrange regular meetings with your team members. These meetings will keep you on track and close to deadlines.
The success of any project depends on the degree of involvement of all team members. It is easier to achieve this if you maintain regular meetings regularly with all members of your team.
Regular meetings also help you as a manager as it enables you to direct your resources properly towards achieving the objectives of your project successfully.
In addition, it provides an opportunity for all team members to ask questions and clarify any doubts they might have concerning the goals and objectives of the project.
3. Set goals for implementation
You’ll have a much better chance of scaling your product if you have a clear, realistic plan for how it’s going to be implemented.
You’re likely to face significant challenges during the implementation of your parallel projects, especially if you’re moving into a new market.
To overcome these challenges, you’ll need tools that help you stay on track and give you the visibility you need.
- Identify the resources you’ll need.
- Decide on a strategy for measuring your progress.
- Set a timeline for when you’ll complete each phase of the implementation.
4. Break down tasks into small and easy steps
The best way to make sure you get things done is to break them down into small and easy steps. This will help you streamline the process, ensuring that your tasks are completed on time without significant setbacks.
Here are some tips for organizing projects:
- Create an inventory of all the tasks you’re working on.
- Make a list of everything that needs to be done, including expected completion dates.
- Give each project a name reflecting its purpose or function, but also imply the steps that will be required to complete it.
5. Schedules the project to maximize team productivity
A good project manager will put a project in the proper context and identify the activities that maximize team productivity.
There are few dependencies in the early stages of a project, and no other work is pending. As a result, you can get away with keeping your team members on a relatively short leash.
But as you get closer to the end of a project, particularly one that’s been running for several months. It would be best if you started thinking about how to maximize team productivity while minimizing wasted time.
An easy way is to schedule your phases so that they maximize productivity. You don’t want too many people working on the same part of the project at once because it can become confusing and messy.
6. Monitor the progress closely
It can be tempting to implement a side project and then forget about it when you’re running a side project. But if you don’t track the progress closely, you could find yourself spinning your wheels.
Tracking the progress of projects can help you learn how your team is progressing. It also enables you to see any issues that may arise while working. So you can identify potential problems before they become real problems.
The best way to track your whole project is to set up a solid system for measuring performance. You can use any tool that provides metrics or by making personal efforts to track metrics.
7. Keep deliverables the same between working groups
One way to accomplish parallel project implementations is to keep the deliverables the same between working groups. This is especially effective when creating a new product line.
The approach starts with identifying work processes and workflow steps, with each step mapped to a deliverable. An excellent example of this might be the process used to create a new product, including design, production, sales, and support.
Each step would be mapped to one or more deliverables, such as:
Design — prototype > Production — drawings > Sales — brochure > Support — installation manual etc.
It is an excellent practice to group tasks into manageable chunks that are related to one another.
8. Assign the task to the right people
Sometimes you need to take on multiple tasks at once. But the right people must handle each job.
Suppose there are too many things that need doing at once. You can end up with unfinished projects and wasted time. Of course, it’s good to have multiple tasks in mind at any given time. But you can still run into trouble if they’re assigned to the wrong people.
Assigning tasks to the right people is critical to a successful parallel implementation.
9. Prioritize the tasks
Parallel project implementation can be a valuable way to save valuable time and money.
The key to successful parallel projects is prioritization. You must prioritize the tasks so that they can be done first.
When you’re working on multiple projects simultaneously, it is easy to become overwhelmed with all the things you have to do. So it is essential to prioritize your tasks so that the most valuable ones are finished first.
Here are some tips to help you avoid becoming overwhelmed with your parallel project implementation:
Break your project up into smaller pieces. This will allow you to work on each piece instead of jumping from one enormous task to another without completing the previous one.
10. Determine the threads and tackle them
It can be easy to get bogged down in a large project if you have a set of tasks that need to get done. But there are so many of them; it can seem overwhelming.
A great way to think about parallel projects is as threads you tackle along the way. The more lines you have for a project, the easier it will be to focus your efforts on the core project and get it done.
These are few tips 10 Parallel Project Implementations Tips for project managers. For more, visit Consulting Edge.
