How to handle complex projects with confidence!
Do large projects have you wondering, “Where do I even begin?” Below you’ll find useful tips about how to define the scope-of-work and set milestones in your industrial or technical business to tackle a complex project.
Large or complex projects can be intimidating and overwhelming. If you are in that situation, take a deep breath, trust yourself, and read these helpful tips from Jim Ball at Productive Documentation. You can get your flow going by breaking the project down into smaller tasks and diligently tracking your progress.
Complete your projects with confidence by following these simple steps:
1. Create a project tracking sheet that includes:
- Tasks
- Questions
- Support needs
- People involved
- Due dates for all items
2. Make a backup plan for peace of mind in case you cannot complete the job.
3. Review the entire project in detail and enter items in your tracking sheet as you go.
- Take your time
- Carefully read every line
- Remember – assumptions are dangerous!
4. Prioritize your tasks and begin with the most urgent
- Prerequisites for other tasks
- Longer lead-time tasks
- Resource availability
5. Update your tracking sheet as you progress
- Enjoy successes!
- Acknowledge challenges
- Plan your next step
Try these tips if you are still struggling:
- Look at one thing at a time and don’t think about the whole project.
- Yes, you do need to consider the big picture, but to get yourself started it is important to hit your comfort level first.
- Break your tasks or steps into small bites, or step milestones, so that you are comfortable with them.
- The size of the task is irrelevant – focus on forward motion.
- Reaching small milestones in a large project helps you realize you’re progressing. As you achieve each milestone, you’ll feel rewarded.
- If you are frozen and unable to start, begin with simple tasks. Create the tracking file. And then enter the date and other data at the top. This helps to get the flow going.
- Just get started. Don’t expect perfection on the first pass – you can adjust later.
- Quality work is important, but if you lock yourself into thinking that only perfection is acceptable, you may not start at all.
Still struggling with complex projects and need assistance? Contact me and we can discuss the scope-of-work of your project and I’ll help you develop a project strategy to achieve success for your Charlotte-based business.