The 7 Sins of Managing Web Projects
Managing web projects is both tough and satisfying in equal measures. Every project is a new learning curve and even though I’m educated from every project I work on, new problems are presented to me on a daily basis.
Some problems and challenges on the other hand, rear their head time after time, and I have classified these in line with the 7 deadly sins, renaming them of course as the 7 sins of managing web projects.
Pride
As a Project Manager it is easy, too easy, to blame clients or members of the project team when things go wrong. You should never be too proud to admit when mistakes have been made and as manager of that project you should take ownership of trying to resolve the issue.
At some stage in the project you will almost always have to compromise on something or face an issue that wasn’t planned for. It is far more productive to focus on the solution, so identify the problem, agree the course of action to getting it resolved and get things back on track.
Envy
Depending on the process you adopt on your projects, chances are you will indulge in some sort of competitor research. Upon doing so we can learn what works and what doesn’t for others.
It is unlikely that you will find a site that answers your client’s brief down to the last pixel but with trends emerging seemingly overnight and with work being shared more freely through sites like Dribbble, Twitter and others, there is probably a site out there that you like, that you really like.
It is easy to be jealous of other sites and want to incorporate bits of them in your own. That’s fine of course as we can all be inspired by others but don’t let envy stomp all over your creativity. Ensure your website is not a tapestry of others. Be original, make sure you answer your client’s brief and consider their audience throughout the project. Be inspired by others but don’t copy them.
Gluttony
Clients are demanding, naturally they want as much as they can for as little money as possible. Who wouldn’t?
This is where we have to say no though. Don’t try to cram everything into phase 1. Be realistic about what is achievable based on the allocated budget and timescales. Agree on the core tasks, essential pages and functionality that have to be incorporated for initial launch.
Anything else can be achieved during retainers or additional phases. Trying to incorporate a little of everything will mean you are spread too thinly. Nobody wants to be a jack of all trades and nor should your client’s website be.
Lust
It is important to love what you do; being passionate will motivate the project team, fuel creativity and ensure that even the most wearing of projects will reach the finish line. The key though is not to get too involved. Doing so can cloud your judgement when it comes to making those tough project related decisions.
Take a step back and be impartial. Does your work answer the brief? Refer back to the signed off project scoping/briefing document to check this before proceeding. Immerse yourself in your client’s world and in the project but not at the expense of bumbling along answering yes to everything.
Anger
It is easier said than done at times but don’t lose your cool when client demands reach fever pitch or things aren’t going right. I don’t think I’ve ever worked on a project where I wasn’t pushed to my limits at some point. This is good though, being challenged helps us learn, quickly.
Instead of getting wound up though, focus your energy on trying to plan as much as possible at the start of the project and adopt standard risk assessment processes into your planning phase such as SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats).
Greed
Delegation is one of qualities of a good Project Manager. It isn’t to be confused with passing the buck, rather delegating tasks across the team so people are used to their strengths. Don’t try to handle everything yourself, it will only end in tears, big over budget, behind schedule tears!
The role of the Project Manager is to ensure things get done, to budget and on schedule so there is no time to be greedy. Project work is all about communication and collaboration. Share the work and the glory (and the problems).
Sloth
Continuing from the last point above, don’t let members of the project team drag their feet. As Project Manager you will need to keep them motivated and involved throughout the project. Be firm with the project team, set clear tasks, deliverables, responsibilities and deadlines.
Report back throughout the project so the team know what has been achieved, feedback from the client is communicated and any changes in deliverables is understood. The minute anyone in the team feels uninvolved in the project is the minute they will lose enthusiasm for it.
Communication throughout is paramount to any project being successful and in my experience, never underestimate the power of the simple words, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Just seven?
Are there any sins that I have omitted? If you have your own please share them in the comments below.