Often the success of a project from a budgetary, timescale and satisfaction level comes down to how a project is managed (internally) and how involved a client is with the creative (externally).
In these tightening times of finance and expansive times of industry nervousness it pays to up your ability in both managing your team and engaging the client. It may be extra effort on your part (and let’s be honest we are already working night and day to secure the success, quality and growth of our companies)… but if you play it right, you may actually be better off for it - saving time by working smarter.
Here are seven rules of thumb to help engage your team and make sure that the late nights are an exception not the norm:
- Agree precise specification for the project. Document, document, document – create a scope of works.
- Plan the project – time, team, activities, resources, financials.
- Communicate the project plan to your project team.
- Agree and delegate project actions.
- Manage, motivate, inform, encourage, enable the project team.
- Check, measure, review project progress; adjust project plans, and inform the project team and others.
- Complete project; review and report on project performance; give praise and thanks to the project team. And ultimately be honest.
As for the Client: In your planning always ensure that there are ample review sessions, tissue meetings and brainstorms. This ultimately helps you get a better result. No one knows his or her business better than the client. They can feed into your ideas, support and solve the weaknesses and feel like they have been part of the process, helping to secure the success of their current activity.
Now you know the process - let it run and go be creative!
