The Top 10 Tips for Project Managers: Strategies for Success

Learn strategies for success and improve your project management skills for better results.

December 22, 2022
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Are you a new project manager looking for advice on how to be successful? You’ve come to the right place!

Project managers are in charge of making sure that projects succeed and that's no easy feat.

They are often the glue that holds projects together, and they play a critical role in the success or failure of a project. With their ability to quickly shift focus, drive delivery, and influence change, the right managers can make all the difference in a project's performance… but when challenged, it can also lead to problems.

So, whether you are managing a project for the first time or have been in the field for years, it is crucial to understand that there are different styles and views of running a project. 

But you're not without options, especially when it comes to best practices.

This article will explore the top 10 effective project management tips for success and managers' five core responsibilities and objectives. We will also provide statistics about what contributes to their success.

Let's jump right in!

What is Project Management?

Project management is the process of managing a project from its initiation to its completion. This includes planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve the project goals. Project managers are responsible for the successful execution of the project. And through teamwork, risk recognition, and a priority matrix, they must ensure that the project is completed on time, within budget, and with the desired quality.

Book a demo of Assembly to make it easy to gather and organize your workday.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

He or she is responsible for leading a project team to deliver a successful project. They must ensure that the project is completed on time, on budget, and with the desired quality. This includes planning the project, scheduling tasks, allocating resources, and tracking progress. They must also ensure teamwork is incorporated and that the team is motivated and working towards the same goal by incorporating effective performance management techniques.

Top 10 Tips for Project Managers:

1. Set Clear Goals: Every project should have clear and measurable goals. This will help the team to focus and optimize their efforts to ensure they are working towards the same goal. It also allows the organization to build a proper project management methodology that works.

2. Establish a Project Plan: A clear, achievable project plan is essential for success. The project plan should include the project scope, timeline, and budget.

3. Communicate Effectively: Effective communication is key to the success of any project.  Stakeholders need to be kept updated on progress and setbacks. 

According to a survey, the top three contributors to successful project management are communication (82%), collaboration (76%), and planning (75%).

4. Manage Resources: Resources are limited and must be managed effectively. Project managers should ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and that the project team is motivated and productive.

5. Track Progress: Tracking progress is an essential skill set for successful project implementation. Project management software are a great way to measure progress and ensure that the project is on track.

6. Anticipate Problems: In every project plan, managers need to anticipate problems and develop strategies to prevent them. This will help the project stay on track and ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

7. Make Decisions Quickly: Most projects are time sensitive and require prompt decision-making skills. So, it's important for managers to know how to make decisions quickly and confidently. This will help reduce any delays or overspending that may come with putting out fires.

8. Be Flexible: Some projects may be fast-paced. These projects require the project manager to be flexible and adapt to changing requirements. This skill allows for growth and dynamism in your projects.

9. Embrace Change: The project environment is constantly changing. And it takes managers who understand the need to be adaptable to pull it off. They also need to embrace good communication and carry team members along.

10. Use Project Management Tools: According to ProofHub, 77% of high-performing project teams use project management software. Project management tools can help managers stay organized and updated. It also makes problem-solving and performance reviews easier and more seamless.

Assembly is the best project management tool for collaboration, tracking, and updating. You can organize your tasks to make your work process better.

Here's a video to help you get started:

Book a demo of Assembly to empower your team to collaborate and work better together as a team.

What are the Top Responsibilities of a Project Manager?

1. Set objectives and goals for the project.
2. Develop and manage the project plan.
3. Manage the project budget.
4. Monitor and track project progress.
5. Report on project progress.

What are the TopFive Priorities of a Project Manager?

1. Manage and improve team performance.
2. Ensure quality control.
3. Maintain stakeholder relationships.
4. Track and manage risks.
5. Lead and motivate the project team.

What are the successful strategies for project management?

While we’ve made a list of tips that could double as strategies to help project managers be successful, project management is a broad field of study, and there's always room for improvement.

Effective project management has never been more critical than it is today. The rapid pace of change within the business environment makes it necessary to focus on continuous learning, effective communication and engagement with stakeholders, and creative problem-solving.

So, keep learning new ideas and incorporating them into your workflow. That will help ensure that you're performing at a high level and helping your organization reach its goals.

With all of this in mind, project managers will need to continue to be innovators who look at current best practices and find ways that they can be improved upon. 

If you are looking for a project management tool to help with collaboration, project tracking, and staying updated, then Assembly is the best solution.

Book a demo to get started today!

Browse our Free Employee Recognition Guide

Get the foundational knowledge on creating an employee recognition program that boosts employee engagement and helps them feel valued.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Assembly SOC 2 compliant?

Yes, at Assembly, security is a top priority. Each quarter, we have ongoing security work that is everyone’s responsibility. While we maintain a strong security posture, it was important for us to prove to our customers that we do everything we claim to do. This led us to pursue a SOC 2 Type II report that would provide evidence of our compliance with industry gold-standard security practice.

What's the ROI for employee recognition?

There is study after study showing that employee recognition leads to increased engagement. This in return creates an environment where employees are happier and more motivated which increase productivity and reduces voluntary turnover significantly. In order to filled critical roles, companies tend to spend nearly twice the value of an annual salary. Assembly is an investment in your employees that supports your bottom line.

Does Assembly offer longer-term contracts?

Yes, we will offer contracts for companies with longer-term agreements to help larger customers have more certainty around future costs.

The minimum agreement term is a 12-month subscription.

Does Assembly offer onboarding support?

We do and for FREE! Any new customer needing further support to get started with Assembly to ensure you're set up for success can request custom onboarding support. Improving your employee experience is about much more than just using our amazing software; it’s about transforming your business to create a workplace that people love. That’s much easier to do with the personal support and advice from our passionate people experts.

Is there a free version of Assembly?

Yes. We offer a completely free plan for up to 50 team members. This plan is intended for teams or organizations that are looking to get started with an employee engagement tool. Keep in mind, this plan is limited in features.

All customers can open an Assembly account for free and get started without a credit card. Then you can change plans as necessary.

How much do rewards cost?

At the time of redemption (when your employees exchange their points for a paid reward) you'll pay face value. If a reward is a $10 Amazon gift card, your cost will be $10. All paid rewards are billed for on a monthly basis.

The good news is that you don't have to pay for rewards upfront because we only charge you when points are redeemed, not when they're earned.

Does Assembly offer discounts?

We offer discounts or educational or charitable organizations. In order to secure a discount, you'll first need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.

For all other organizations, we are willing to consider longer-term agreements in exchange for discounts. To set up annual plans or longer, you will need to book a demo with a customer support specialist.

How do I cancel my plan if needed?

If you're on a month to month plan, you can go here and cancel anytime. If you're having concerns or need help setting up your account for success, you can always book a demo with a customer support specialist.

If you're on a longer-term custom plan, you'll need to reach out to your customer support specialist to cancel your account or email us at support@joinassembly.com.

What customizations are available?

Great question! You can customize your core values to match your organization's to boost and track alignment. You can change your currency from the 🏆 emoji (our default) to any emoji of your choice. You can swap our logo for your own. You can also set up company culture rewards such as, "Lunch with the CEO," "Buy a book on us," and so much more!

Who can give or receive recognition?

While we recommend a peer to peer set up where anyone in your organization can give or receive recognition, you can set up Assembly however you want. If you need to limit the people who can give or receive recognition, that's perfectly fine and can be done from your Admin, here.

What integrations are available?

Assembly connects to the tools your employees use every day to offer an easy, seamless experience with minimal change management.  

Assembly has integrations with HCM/HRIS systems like ADP, Google, Office 365, and Slack. We also integrate with communication tools like Slack and Teams so you and your employees can access Assembly wherever they work now.

What's your average adoption rate?

That depends on the company's permissions set up. That said, over 90% of the employees on Assembly's platform are recognized on a monthly basis. That means nearly every employee across all of our customers are receiving regular recognition from their peers, managers, or leadership. We're extremely proud of this.

Must rewards be set up to use Assembly?

They are not required. You can use Assembly without having rewards set up. However, we don't recommend it if you intend to have a high adoption and usage rate. You can always keep the costs down by offering internal culture rewards that are fulfilled by you internally.

Are points required to use Assembly?

No, you can remove allowances from anyone or everyone. It's up to you but we do recommend using points whether they're worth a real dollar value or not. Companies that use points have a much higher engagement rate even if those points don't exchange for real dollars.

Could find the answer you are looking for?

Please schedule time with an expert and we will help you to get all your questions answered