{"id":2785,"date":"2016-10-26T05:13:37","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T05:13:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.binfire.com\/blog\/?p=2785"},"modified":"2026-02-06T08:10:23","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T08:10:23","slug":"project-management-best-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.binfire.com\/blog\/project-management-best-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Project management best practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

To succeed in managing projects, a project manager needs to follow the project management best practices. There is a set of best practice rules utilized by experienced project managers that you need to know and follow if you want to become a great project manager. We did publish a great infographic<\/a>\u00a0about project management best practices\u00a0a while back. That graph is a good visual\u00a0reference to keep in mind for future reference. In this article, I will\u00a0discuss ten elements of project management best practices\u00a0that apply to\u00a0teams small or large, experienced or novice based on my experience managing projects in the past twenty years. Granted most of these rules are common sense, but when applied in unison they have a potent\u00a0effect in finishing\u00a0projects successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, pursuing a PMP certification course<\/a> can\u00a0further enhance your understanding and application of these best practices<\/span><\/p>\n

Project management best practices – ten commandments<\/span><\/h4>\n

If you understand and follow the following ten rules described in this article\u00a0for project management best practices, you will be a better and happier project manager. I have used these rules for the past twenty years and refined them based on the outcome of projects in which I have been involved. Using these rules will make your team more productive and collaborative. These rules also help to make your project more visible to upper management and make the process more transparent. This helps management to have a better view of the project’s progress and will be more forthcoming when you need resources or want to start new projects. When so much good can come from following\u00a0these simple rules, what keeps you from trying\u00a0them?<\/span><\/p>\n

1-Make your team to collaborate<\/span><\/h4>\n

If your team knows how much you value collaboration and team communication, they will be more receptive\u00a0to collaborating and working as a team. Collaboration or lack of it is the number one factor in the success or failure of projects. The willingness to collaborate is the first step. You and your team also need to know how to collaborate effectively. Communication is the basic element of collaboration, but more is needed. Set rules for communication and collaboration and publish them\u00a0as a guideline for your team. If your team is located in one place, collaboration is much easier. Make sure any member feels empowered to brainstorm with other members. Ask team members to set in their calendars collaboration time slots for an hour twice a week. Team members can use these time slots to brainstorm with colleagues on ideas or discuss problems they are\u00a0facing in their tasks. If you have remote workers in your project, make sure they have the tools and ability to collaborate with their local colleagues freely and often. Today’s online collaboration tools like Binfire make this task easily possible.<\/span><\/p>\n

2-Plan, Review, and Re-plan<\/span><\/h4>\n

Planning is the second most important factor in the success of projects. Plan with your team leaders and technical experts in your organization. Review the plan with colleagues and publish the plan to your team, upper management, and other stakeholders in the project. This project plan should be the road map for steps needed to take to finish the project and should establish a clear\u00a0target for success. Update your plan once a week if needed. As part of the project plan you need to identify risks to the project and come up with contingency plans on how\u00a0to counter these risks if they arise. Assigning somebody as the risk manager\u00a0is a good way to start the project. Put the project plan online and make it accessible to everybody on the team.<\/span><\/p>\n

3-Have a kickoff meeting at the start of the project<\/span><\/h4>\n

You need to start the project on the right foot by having a one-day kickoff\u00a0party for all your team members and stakeholders in the project. If you have remote workers invite them for the kickoff meeting in person if at all possible. In this meeting elaborate on the goals of the project, timetable, and challenges the team is tasked with to finish the project successfully. Make sure people have time to\u00a0ask questions and understand the goals clearly.\u00a0Use this gathering to introduce all members one by one to\u00a0make sure the team\u00a0knows each other in a first-name basis. Having a name tag for teams that have new members is very helpful in the gathering. Ask\u00a0members to introduce themselves to the team and give a brief background about their expertise and their role is the project. Distribute team T-shirts and other items\u00a0to create your\u00a0team identity.<\/span><\/p>\n

4-Identify the strengths & weaknesses in each team member<\/span><\/h4>\n

Your team members are the ones who will\u00a0make or break the\u00a0project. Human capital is your most important asset. You need to know the value or score of each team member. Sports teams rank their players so should project managers and team leaders. Rank each team member from 2 to 5.\u00a0Two is for average score and five is for excellence. You should get rid of anybody who scores two or less. \u00a0Make sure to involve the team and technical leaders of your organization is tabulating scoring for each member. The scoring should be based on the following three criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n