Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
We have all been in that situation before new to project management and making mistakes. What common mistakes do new project managers make, and how can we avoid them? Could you share your wisdom? Saving Changes...
Here are a few common ones I've seen from new PMs:
- Prioritizing process over people
- Being too "weak" (as per Neal Whitten)
- Obsessing over the triple constraint and ignoring the underlying expectations and rationale for investing in the project
- Paying lip service to risk management
- Trying to please all stakeholders to the detriment of the project
Unfortunately, the ways to avoid these fill a library of PM books (including my own).
Kiron
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1 reply by Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
Sep 03, 2024 1:48 AM
Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
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Hi Kiron,
Thanks for adding to the list of common mistakes new project managers make. Your points are spot on! Prioritizing processes over people, being too "weak," obsessing over the triple constraint, paying lip service to risk management, and trying to please all stakeholders are all crucial mistakes to avoid.
I'd love to hear more about what you think is the most critical skill or trait for a project manager to possess and how we can develop it.
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
New project managers often make certain mistakes as they begin their roles. Some of the most common errors include:
Poor communication: Failing to keep everyone informed and connected.
Underestimating risks: Not anticipating potential problems.
Unqualified team: Not ensuring that the team has the necessary skills.
Unrealistic expectations: Promising more than can be delivered.
Lack of follow-up: Not monitoring project progress.
Not managing changes: Not having a process for adapting to new situations.
Ignoring relationships: Not fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
Micromanaging: Not delegating tasks and trusting the team.
Not learning from mistakes: Not reviewing the project at the end to identify areas for improvement.
How to avoid these mistakes:
Communicate clearly: Establish effective and frequent communication channels.
Identify risks: Conduct a risk analysis and have a plan to address them.
Train the team: Ensure everyone has the necessary skills.
Set realistic expectations: Be clear and honest about what can be achieved.
Monitor progress constantly: Track progress and make adjustments as needed.
Manage changes effectively: Have a process for evaluating and managing changes.
Build relationships: Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
Delegate tasks: Trust the team and allow them to work autonomously.
Learn from experience: Review the project at the end to identify areas for improvement.
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1 reply by Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
Sep 03, 2024 1:50 AM
Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
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Hi Fabian,
Thanks for sharing your insights on common mistakes new project managers make and how to avoid them. Your list is comprehensive and spot on! Poor communication and not learning from mistakes are all crucial areas to focus on for project success.
I'd love to hear more about which of these mistakes you think is the most critical to avoid, and how you've seen effective project managers overcome them.
Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
Sep 02, 2024 12:19 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
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Here are a few common ones I've seen from new PMs:
- Prioritizing process over people
- Being too "weak" (as per Neal Whitten)
- Obsessing over the triple constraint and ignoring the underlying expectations and rationale for investing in the project
- Paying lip service to risk management
- Trying to please all stakeholders to the detriment of the project
Unfortunately, the ways to avoid these fill a library of PM books (including my own).
Kiron
Hi Kiron,
Thanks for adding to the list of common mistakes new project managers make. Your points are spot on! Prioritizing processes over people, being too "weak," obsessing over the triple constraint, paying lip service to risk management, and trying to please all stakeholders are all crucial mistakes to avoid.
I'd love to hear more about what you think is the most critical skill or trait for a project manager to possess and how we can develop it.
...
1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Sep 03, 2024 7:17 AM
Kiron Bondale
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It really is a toss up for me between the following two:
- Increasing one's EQ to improve the quality of relationships and your own effectiveness
- Building a high performing team
The first leads to the second, so if I had to pick just one, that'd be it!
Project Manager| AWR Development (BD) Ltd. Cox's Bazer , Bangladesh
Sep 02, 2024 10:04 PM
Replying to Fabian Crosa
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New project managers often make certain mistakes as they begin their roles. Some of the most common errors include:
Poor communication: Failing to keep everyone informed and connected.
Underestimating risks: Not anticipating potential problems.
Unqualified team: Not ensuring that the team has the necessary skills.
Unrealistic expectations: Promising more than can be delivered.
Lack of follow-up: Not monitoring project progress.
Not managing changes: Not having a process for adapting to new situations.
Ignoring relationships: Not fostering a collaborative and positive work environment.
Micromanaging: Not delegating tasks and trusting the team.
Not learning from mistakes: Not reviewing the project at the end to identify areas for improvement.
How to avoid these mistakes:
Communicate clearly: Establish effective and frequent communication channels.
Identify risks: Conduct a risk analysis and have a plan to address them.
Train the team: Ensure everyone has the necessary skills.
Set realistic expectations: Be clear and honest about what can be achieved.
Monitor progress constantly: Track progress and make adjustments as needed.
Manage changes effectively: Have a process for evaluating and managing changes.
Build relationships: Foster a collaborative and positive work environment.
Delegate tasks: Trust the team and allow them to work autonomously.
Learn from experience: Review the project at the end to identify areas for improvement.
Hi Fabian,
Thanks for sharing your insights on common mistakes new project managers make and how to avoid them. Your list is comprehensive and spot on! Poor communication and not learning from mistakes are all crucial areas to focus on for project success.
I'd love to hear more about which of these mistakes you think is the most critical to avoid, and how you've seen effective project managers overcome them. Saving Changes...
Thanks for adding to the list of common mistakes new project managers make. Your points are spot on! Prioritizing processes over people, being too "weak," obsessing over the triple constraint, paying lip service to risk management, and trying to please all stakeholders are all crucial mistakes to avoid.
I'd love to hear more about what you think is the most critical skill or trait for a project manager to possess and how we can develop it.
It really is a toss up for me between the following two:
- Increasing one's EQ to improve the quality of relationships and your own effectiveness
- Building a high performing team
The first leads to the second, so if I had to pick just one, that'd be it!
Project & PMO Manager | Research & Enterprise Mentor| GFB HoldingSouth America, Brazil
New project managers often face several challenges, especially when it comes to integrating team members with stakeholders through emotional intelligence. Here are some common mistakes they make:
1. Enhance Communication: Ensure clear, open dialogue with team and stakeholders through active listening and feedback.
2. Develop Emotional Intelligence: Be empathetic and aware of emotions to foster trust and collaboration.
3. Engage Stakeholders: Involve them early in planning and decision-making to ensure support and alignment.
4. Resolve Conflicts Promptly: Address issues constructively to maintain team cohesion.
5. Leverage Team Knowledge: Encourage knowledge sharing to enhance problem-solving and project value.
By focusing on emotional intelligence and fostering strong relationships among team members and stakeholders, new project managers can create a more cohesive and effective project environment. This approach not only helps in solving project issues but also maximizes the earned value by leveraging the collective knowledge and insights of the group.
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1 reply by Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
Jan 23, 2025 2:52 AM
Md. Golam Rob Talukdar
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Hi Francisco
Thank you very much for your information, about New project managers often face several challenges, especially when it comes to integrating team members with stakeholders through emotional intelligence. as well as mentioned the common mistakes .
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