Experience
Stress-Free Project Management

Onboarding is the transition from lead to client. You are onboarding the client into your eco-system flow and family. Why is this important? Without a proper onboarding process, the client won't have a set of expectations or next steps to follow. Getting clients onboarded properly sets the tone for the rest of the project. One way I accomplish this is with a simple Client Onboarding Checklist.

An internal kickoff is a meeting held with the project team to align on goals, roles, and the project timeline before work begins. It ensures that all team members understand the project scope, objectives, and their responsibilities, fostering a cohesive start. I accomplish this by creating a Project Brief, which is the compass and the foundation for everything that we will create in the project.

Assigning tasks in project management involves delegating specific responsibilities to team members based on their skills and roles within the project. This ensures that all necessary activities are covered and that team members know what is expected of them to achieve project goals efficiently. I accomplish this by asking 3 things and giving my team members the opportunity to clarify things, ask questions, and give them the space to say ‘No, this is way too much work’ or ‘I don’t think I’m best suited for this’.

Check-ins are periodic updates with your team and client. They are a way to keep your finger on the pulse of the project's progress. Check-ins enable you to communicate the status of your project to your team members or clients at any given moment.

Submitting and presenting work to stakeholders in project management involves delivering completed project components and communicating progress, outcomes, and next steps to those with a vested interest in the project. Controlling the narrative during these presentations is crucial as it ensures that stakeholders have a clear, accurate, and positive understanding of the project's status, which helps maintain their support and alignment with project objectives.

Managing feedback in project management involves collecting, evaluating, and incorporating stakeholder and team input to improve project outcomes. This process ensures that concerns are addressed, enhancements are made, and the project stays aligned with its goals and expectations.

The danger zone are scenarios that have the potential to derail your project and cause the most friction between you, your team, and your clients. If you don’t maneuver these situations properly, you will end up off schedule and over budget.

Effectively communicating client notes to your team involves describing feedback as action items while maintaining productivity and morale. Transparency about decisions and context, along with acknowledging positive feedback, helps keep the team motivated and makes changes more digestible. Clearly stating the requests, their reasons, and giving direction with agreed-upon expectations ensures everyone is aligned and ready to tackle the tasks.

Always ask for approval before progressing through project milestones. Define "done" by providing a clear list of criteria, approach projects incrementally by requiring client approval at each phase, and maintain transparency about the project's status to ensure client visibility throughout the process.

Delivery is your final opportunity to impress the client and secure future business. Ensure the work is approved and the final payment is received before delivering it. Making a strong last impression is crucial for fostering continued business relationships and referrals.

After a project wraps, don't rush to the next one. Hold a 15-20 minute meeting to discuss what went well, what can be improved, and how everyone feels, ensuring you record the meeting for performance analysis. This reflection helps the team learn and improve continuously, preventing failures by fostering growth and systematizing successes.