Taking over a new project, a new role or a new job… restarting.
The objectives a project take over are (in this order):
- Ensure long-term success of the Project Manager
- Ensure success of the project
In order to take over a project successfully, the following steps shall be undertaken:
- Establish authority and leadership with confidence
- Establish relationships with every individual – learn about each one of them, what are their skills, experience, what type of management get the most of them, what are their motivators, personality and character.
- Assess Project – take ownership of the project plan and the schedule, and assume responsibility from there on – if plan does seem achievable, perform the following actions in this order: 1. try to reduce scope, 2. try technical simplifications, 3. justify and ask for more resources, and 4. propose to replan the project.
- Assess and document Risks and Issues – perform a complete risk analysis, in order to confirm that the project objectives are achievable
- Document Vision and Action Plan – based on well know methodology
- Establish Project Management Master Mind
Spend a fair amount of your time improving your leadership ability:
- Provide navigation
- Establish solid ground
- Influence
- Process knowledge
- Get momentum
- Focus on victory
- Establish inner cycle
- Maintain priorities