Does Anybody Really Know What's Going On?

 

P.T. Barnum once said, "Without promotion, something terrible happens ... nothing."

Barnum wasn't talking about projects or promoting the goals and objectives associated with them, but he could have been. Keeping project teams focused on the right things requires that they all understand what the right things are. When team members don't understand their role and how it plays into the bigger picture of the project they're working on, it's difficult for them to know whether or not their contribution has any value.

Most people gain great satisfaction by contributing to something bigger than themselves. When project team members understand project objectives and how their role contributes to that objective, they can do more than simply complete tasks—they can contribute at a higher level and ultimately impact project success.

Like many things associated with the project management process, it isn't really very complicated to make this happen, but it does require effort. However the costs associated with ignoring these simple yet powerful ideas could be costly.

Although it's possible for projects to do reasonably well with a team that does nothing more than show up and complete tasks, most organizations need more out of their project teams than people simply going through the motions. This kind of atmosphere eventually ends up in lower productivity, apathy and eventually project failure.

1. The first key to success is to make sure that everyone understands the purpose—the circumstances that initiated the project in the first place and the expected outcome of a successful project.
2. Connect the dots. Make sure everyone on the team understands how their role contributes to the project objectives. When team members feel they are making a relevant contribution to the project outcome, they take more pride in their work, contribute at a higher level and take ownership of their responsibilities.
3. Create a transparent environment where stakeholders have visibility into what project teams are doing and project teams have a view of what's motivating decisions.

When everyone (sponsors, team members and other stakeholders) are all on the same page, projects are more likely to achieve successful outcomes.

What are you doing to keep everyone on the project team focused and informed?