{"id":3022,"date":"2017-06-28T07:35:45","date_gmt":"2017-06-28T07:35:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.binfire.com\/blog\/?p=3022"},"modified":"2017-06-28T07:35:45","modified_gmt":"2017-06-28T07:35:45","slug":"collaborative-project-management-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.binfire.com\/blog\/collaborative-project-management-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Collaborative Project Management – A guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

A guide to collaborative project management<\/span><\/h2>\n

For many of us who have been around for a while, changing culture is like boiling the ocean. \u00a0In other words, it cannot be done easily. \u00a0In my experience, \u00a0if a change is incremental and beneficial in the short-term, then it will be accepted by the team. \u00a0Here are some ways that I have used to create a culture that supports Collaborative Project Management.<\/span><\/p>\n

Manage by Example<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Collaboration cannot occur in a vacuum and the management needs to create a top-down culture that adopts collaborative practices. Collaboration should be backed in from project planning<\/a> to\u00a0execution and delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within the project team, the Project Manager needs to demonstrate a commitment to collaboration by leading by example.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Collaborative Project Manager<\/a> has an open door policy. She is empathetic to the views of her team members.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, their managers are transparent in their decision-making process so that team members understand the rationale for the change. They are also inclusive of the diverse views of team members.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, Project Managers need to respond to the overall business objectives and the consensus is not always feasible or necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when the Project Manager as individual acts as a role model for collaboration this can change the overall team dynamic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Promote and Incentivize Collaboration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Team members that demonstrate collaborative Project Management practices should be reward by receiving recognition or where applicable career advancement opportunities or even financial incentives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Demonstrate to the wider team that professional development within the organization is linked to the individual\u2019s ability to collaborate with a group.\u00a0 One way to incentivize collaboration is to tie compensation and reward for the overall team results.<\/span><\/p>\n

Individuals who are unwilling or unable to collaborate could be penalized and when necessary removed from a team or even the organization.<\/span><\/p>\n

Educate and Mentor Your Team<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

One cannot simply assume that a team will be collaborative even if the overall organization is supportive of collaboration and the Project Manager works to facilitate this behavior.<\/span><\/p>\n

By definition, Collaboration cannot be taught via a frontal learning methodology.\u00a0 Companies with a rigid approach to corporate training may need to re-think how to educate their project teams on collaborative practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

In our experience, one of the best ways to teach collaboration<\/a> is to conduct off-site activities with a team prior to kick-off.<\/span><\/p>\n

Within reasonable limits, group activities can be designed to foster team building and also introduce team members to each other in a non-threatening, more intimate way.<\/span><\/p>\n

After project completion, it is always important to conduct a thorough debrief and to use the experience for professional development and growth.<\/span><\/p>\n

For the overall success of a project, we cannot overemphasize the importance of the project manager taking on a mentorship role with the specific intent of encouraging collaboration.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, to the extent that corporate training programs can incorporate collaboration building exercises, we recommend programs that focus on Emotional Intelligence<\/a>, team m-building, cross-cultural sensitivity and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).<\/span><\/p>\n

Develop Metrics for Collaboration<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Where possible tie metrics to the overall performance of the team and not the individual.\u00a0 Without being too prescriptive, we suggest the following:<\/span><\/p>\n