Six Rookie Mistakes New Project Managers Make - and How to Fix Them

 

Most of the mistakes made by novice project managers are avoidable.

To be fair, leading a project from launch to close can be a daunting experience for any project manager, so it’s no surprise that newly minted project professionals struggle in their early attempts.

That doesn’t mean fallout from any blunder is without grave consequences.

“Rookie project managers often fall victim to costly mistakes and errors that can derail a project and signifi cantly impact one’s project management career,” says Dana Brownlee, PMP, president of the corporate training firm Professionalism Matters Incorporated, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

Fortunately, there are clear solutions to these traps.

Since the day-to-day aspects of a project can overwhelm even the most seasoned project professional, those new to the profession may be tempted to skip key steps that are critical to the success of any project, says Ms. Brownlee.

Here are six common mistakes project managers often make when they’re just getting started—and possible solutions to take before their projects, and careers, suffer.

1. Ignoring the slacker on the team

Sometimes managing the team’s personalities can be more challenging than dealing with the tasks—especially if a member unwilling to pull his or her own weight is dragging everyone else down.

If…

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