Within the field of healthcare, project management refers to any project that looks to improve the functionality of any healthcare-related organisation. With the healthcare industry evolving on a continual basis, they are facing increasing pressure to save money whilst remaining efficient and making improvements to the quality of the care that they offer to their patients. This effectively means that healthcare systems and hospitals are always working on projects that will assist them in improving their operations.

Different project management methodologies in healthcare

When it comes to project management, the Waterfall methodology is one of the most commonly used methodologies, and one that is commonly used in healthcare. It works by organising a project into processes that are sequential and linear. In other words, they flow like a waterfall, and it consists of a number of different phases. When you undertake Waterfall methodology for your project, you cannot begin a new phase of the project until you have completed the previous one.

Agile project management was conceived within the field of software development. It uses an approach that is more incremental and evolves on a continual basis, unlike Waterfall. The cyclical process that it uses encourages experimentation, flexibility and adaptability. For many healthcare projects, this is a great methodology because it is easy to make changes to suit a range of continually changing variables. Agile can make it easier for project teams within healthcare to adjust more easily to these changes. Within Agile, the iterations are shorter, and this means that it is much easier to recognise a mistake in the early stages and correct it quickly.

Using a hybrid approach

Sometimes within healthcare, the best option is, in fact, a hybrid one. This is one that uses a combination of Agile and Waterfall in order to manage a project. When this happens, a project management team will use the Agile methodology predominately whilst incorporating some features of Waterfall in order to create a timeline and a roadmap for the project which can then be used by project managers and their team.

Why is project management important for healthcare?

Project management, and therefore those individuals who have the relevant qualifications attained through courses for professional project managers, is incredibly important within healthcare. In fact, in recent years, its importance has grown, a growth which can largely contribute to concerns for safety. If a healthcare project is done in a manner that is ineffective, then this has the potential to lead to health problems for patients.

Healthcare is an evolving industry, and it is affected by a range of other issues as well, which can be increasingly aided through the use of project management. It is also important to remember that healthcare is a huge industry with an incredible degree of complex issues occurring all of the time. 

What are the benefits of project management in healthcare?

Strong project management can be used to assist in improving healthcare and the industry in a range of different ways, including:

• Improving the quality of the care that is provided by making improvements to the processes that are used in that care
• Fostering better lines of communication between the healthcare staff who are looking after patients
• Improving planning within the organisation
• Better budgeting – project management that is strong aligns resources directly with the most important work
•  Increasing staff productivity
• Improving the processes that are created in order to decrease the possibility of lawsuits (processes that are improved lead to better care)
• Improving relationships with all who are involved in healthcare, patients, staff, insurance companies

There are a huge number of challenges that are faced within healthcare, and many of these are things that can simply not be predicted for. Whilst it is possible to have contingency plans in place for major events that could put a significant strain on the resources within healthcare, for example, an increased and immediate need for additional services as a result of a major incident with numerous injured, it is never possible to fully anticipate exactly what that scenario will entail.

Poorly executed projects within the healthcare field can have serious implications because there is often human life involved. These are projects that are about more than coming in on budget and to timescale, and when they hit a problem that has an impact on human life, they also face the possibility of legal action. Healthcare is also continually facing rising costs and, at the same time, has to deal with a significant degree of regulation from the government.

One other significant issue that healthcare faces is that many of those who hold important positions do not actually believe that there is truly a place for project management within the industry.

How can project management help?

Currently in use in thousands of cases within the healthcare industry, project management can be used to create better outlooks for a diverse range of projects, including making improvements to patient care, saving money or simply making improvements.

With the right levels of experience and project management knowledge, and that means staying on top of any new innovations within the field of project management, it is possible for healthcare to gain significant benefits from project management. At the very least, it can be used to help improve operational efficiency and ensure that patients receive the highest levels of care. There are so many different ways in which project management can be used within healthcare, and as training continues and improvements are made in the technology that is used, it is likely that there are more innovative ways in which it can be used in the future.

The post Project Management in Healthcare – Training Approaches To Use appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

The meaning of Train the Trainer

Train the Trainer (TTT for short) is a frequently used workplace model. During a training session, a trainer trains other employees whilst also teaching them how to train other individuals. This is a training programme that is aimed at trainers (just starting), educators and teachers in order to professionalise and optimise any current methods that they may already use, whilst also expanding their current skills and knowledge. Many of the programmes that can be opted for a focus on educating others in either leadership or facilitation skills.

There are several points that have a central focus in this type of training:

• How can you train a group?
• How do you represent yourself as a trainer?
• How do individuals respond to you?
• What is self-directing, and what are its limitations?
• What competencies does a trainer need, and what training method is right for you?

Each training workshop or training program will have a particular focus on the training style of an individual. It is important for that individual to work with an experienced trainer to create a good training program that will take them from preparation all the way through to evaluation. It will also be important to establish who the target group is and at what point they will be satisfied.

It is essential for project management instructors to experience a range of different ways in which they can share their knowledge. This can be experienced in a number of ways. TTT assists in ensuring that a training programme is its most effective. The final step is that at the end of the training, the results are evaluated, and the individual is able to reflect on the new skills that they have learnt.

In many companies, you will find either a subject matter expert or a corporate trainer who will have put a TTT model training programme in place.

Why should you consider Train the Trainer?

There are two different sets of skills and knowledge that every trainer requires. They must be fully conversant with the subject that they are teaching (this means having expertise that is content related) they also need to know how to impart this information to their students (expertise of instruction). Whilst, in theory, this is what they need, it is often not quite the case in practice.

Not everyone who has the relevant knowledge and skills within an industry has the necessary skills to teach this knowledge to others. It doesn’t always follow that someone who has attended some form of training for project managers will be able to instruct others in everything that they have learnt. There are a wide variety of ways in which you can help others to learn from your knowledge, and not all of these will work for everyone.

There are several different examples of how you can create a training-the-trainer programme. These include:

• Making trainers authoritative – if you want people to listen, engage with what you tell them and, more importantly remember if then they need to feel the person delivering the information is doing so with authority
• Trainers need to be prepared for interactive discussions with students – this will allow a trainer to train leaders who will then be able to work with their audience by getting people to think on a deeper level
• Trainers need a better understanding so they can appeal to a more diverse audience –  this will assist with the ability to retain content and could also be essential when it comes to teaching other training programmes and helping make sure that those taking part are involved in developing any content

How can you Train the Trainer?

There are a wide range of different ways in which you can Train the Trainer, and one of the most popular ones is the wide variety of training courses that are on offer that have this type of programme available. These can last from one-day to a week, with the content of the course varying significantly from one type of course to another.

A good training course is one where the trainer will not just tell those who are there what they need to learn but will also let them see how they should teach it. When a trainer is internal, they learn to use empathy and listen. They offer ideas and also show how courses that will be relevant to employees can be created.

For anyone who wants to complete a Training for Trainer course, there are five important points to consider:

1. Begin with the goal of a trainer

You should consider the following points:

• Do you have skills you want to develop?
• What would being a trainer mean to you?
• Can you change your attitude?
• Could you see your job being one where you convey knowledge?

The answers to these questions will help show what type of trainer you require.

2. Think about educational psychology

A course that is effective is one that treats the relevant educational psychology and how this is used by the trainer in both the design and delivery of all learning choices. An ability to understand educational psychology properly will also allow for better guidance from the trainer and will ensure that students are better equipped to deal with situations as they occur.

3. Develop both objectives and an assessment process

Both trainer and student should be able to create goals that are based on realistic assessment and behaviour so that they can see the outcome of the course in real terms Both of them will need to work on a range of objectives that look at behaviour and at the end of the course it should be evident if these have been achieved.

4. Lesson content should support its objectives

It is important to ensure that the content of any lessons has been put together in such a way that it really supports the objectives.

5. Consider making it interactive

Good lessons are interactive, as they engage students in dialogue and work with a range of senses to offer a more stimulating learning experience.

The post Train the Trainer: Developing Effective PM Instructors appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

Every branding project requires careful planning and implementation. But, when it comes to such intangible concepts, knowing where to start and what to do can be confusing. Here are the steps you need to take to accomplish these tasks.

Take Your Overall Business Strategy Into Account

The best place to start planning your branding project is your overall business strategy. It will serve as the context for your brand development. What kind of company do you want? Do you plan to grow organically? Your brand will help you take your company where you want to take it—as long as you clearly define the destination.

Identify Your Target Audience

If you claim “everyone” is your target audience, you’re making a huge mistake. For a successful brand development strategy, you need to define your target audience clearly. The narrower your focus is, the better.

When defining your target audience, focus on your ideal client or customer. What is their perspective? What are their priorities? What are their wants and needs? What language resonates with them the most?

Define Your Brand Mission

You need to have a mission statement and a vision statement. They will guide your branding project. Essentially, they are the purpose of your brand and your deeper connection with your target audience. Take the not-for-profit organisation The Live-in Care Hub, for instance, they wanted their brand to underpin their main principle that they are impartial voice people can trust. They wanted to inspire confidence in their (mostly elderly) audience by being objective in their approach and explaining all the different elderly care options so people can make the decision that best suits them and their family. The organisation also has a clear ethos to raise awareness of all the care choices available to older people. To that end they produce independent research and resources providing information that allows people to be cared for in their own home with dignity and comfort.

Your brand is so important because it is the face of your business, whether that’s a start-up, small growing business or a well-established company. It embodies the personality and the values of your business, as well as everything in between. You must know “what” and “who” you are.

Why have you started your business? The way you communicate your brand should reflect your mission. Your mission should permeate your messaging, your tagline, your logo, and your typography.

Research Competition

Find out who your competitors are and what they are offering. What makes your organisation different? When you are planning your branding project, you need to focus on that difference. What makes your offerings better than theirs?

Once you are done analyzing and researching the competition, you can determine your brand positioning. You need a positioning statement consisting of 3 to 5 sentences that capture the essence of your brand positioning. It should explain the benefits of your brand.

To ensure your branding will be consistent, you will use your positioning statement as a reference throughout your project. Because of this, it is important for it to be grounded in reality.

Your brand will suffer if you promise things you can’t deliver. But, so that you’ll have something to strive for, it should also be a bit aspirational.

Develop Your Messaging Strategy

Your target audience consists of your prospective clients, customers, partners, employees, influencers (use influencer search tools to save time), and so on. Each audience is interested in different aspects of your brand positioning.

Your brand positioning will always be the same for everyone, but the messaging can be different. Depending on the audience, the message will emphasize the points that are most relevant to them. To address the needs of all members of your target audience, you need a messaging strategy.

Develop Your Name, Logo, and Tagline

Before you start implementing your branding project, you need to have the following elements:

• Name and tagline
• A distinct tone of voice
• Logo, brand typography, and brand colours

A change may be in order if some of these elements don’t suit your position—this goes for your name as well. Keep in mind that these elements are a part of your brand identity—they are not your brand. They only serve to symbolize and communicate your brand. To make it real, you must live it.

Ask the Right Questions

Begin your implementation plan with a few simple questions:

• What are the risks and implications of various rollout scenarios?
• What are your resource and time constraints?
• When rolling out your brand, which concerns will you need to address?

Determine Your Timeline

You need to determine when you will start sharing your message before you introduce your brand to your target audience. If your branding project is a part of a “rebranding campaign,” you need to update existing signage, outreach materials, marketing communications, and sales materials.

If you are launching a new brand, you need to create all of these elements from scratch. Determine what are all the touchpoints you need to create. Based on that, figure out a plan of action.

Plan Your “Need-to-Know” Sequence

After you identify all the internal and external audience members, including shareholders, partners, vendors, customers, employees, and the media, think about how you will introduce your brand to them.

As your internal audience will help you craft a more consistent rollout plan, they should come first. Work on finding how you can connect with each audience in your sequence. For example, you may decide to introduce your brand to prospective clients with a digital campaign, social media, and signage, but that may not be the best approach to take with your partners.

Work on Your Launch Plan

You need to tell the story of your brand in a way that engages the audience and clearly demonstrates its value. This will take the limelight off the competition and ensure your brand launch has a lasting impact.

Your launch plan should also include a marketing communication plan for the next few months following the rollout. It can include plans for social media posts, email announcements, and other steps for brand recognition and awareness.

Author Bio:

Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael’s work at Qeedle.

The post 10 Steps for Planning and Implementing a Successful Branding Project appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

Improve customer experience

There is only one place to begin, and this is by improving the experience you provide to your customers. Look for one way to enhance the current products or services you provide. This could be anything from offering customers a discount for signing up to your newsletter, a free informational download or simply sending an automated response when you cannot respond to emails straight away.

Encourage employee training

One of the best ways to improve your business is by improving your employees. Encourage them to take a training course to advance their existing skills or even upskill for the coming net-zero changes and the green economy. Economic analysis has shown that there will opportunities for green economy jobs in 11 specific sectors. Green jobs in four sectors are expected to provide 90% of all green jobs. These sectors are:

• Green Finance
• Power
• Homes and Buildings
• Low Carbon Transport

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is known to boost the quality and efficiency of an individual’s work, but it also helps to increase employee retention rates as well. This will result in happier customers or clients, and lower costs for the business by keeping recruitment costs to a minimum

Adapt your approach to marketing

If you remain stagnant in the business world and offer the same products or services that you have always done, then you are going to be left behind by the competition. This is why you may need to take some marketing advice and adapt your marketing strategy so that it’s suitable for current trends and general business environment. More and more customers and clients interact with businesses online so you may want to review the user experience on your website, and on your telephone and email systems. Do you, for example, use an Interactive Voice Recording (IVR) system that makes customers stay on the line or one that simply makes them put the phone down, resulting in lost business or dissatisfied customers?

Learn from your mistakes

Your business will be held back if you do not learn from the mistakes you have made. Whenever something goes wrong, you shouldn’t punish yourself or try to blame someone else or ignore the problem. Instead learn a lesson from what has happened and use that information to avoid problems in the future. You should see every failure as an opportunity. there are many powerful lessons you can learn from failures and many of those lessons learned come from successful business leaders.

Set up a referral program

Your existing customer base is your most powerful marketing tool. Many business owners make the mistake of only concentrating on securing new customers, rather than their existing clients. It’s important to build up loyal relationships, and this can include setting up a referral program whereby you give current customers an incentive for bringing new custom to you. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways of drumming up new business and can be particularly effective where a business offers both ecommerce products and experiences like live face-to-face events. Customers may be less likely to recommend the products but when they have had a great experience at a live event they are more likely to communicate that informally to friends and family – the perfect referral.

Improve your collaboration efforts

Effective collaboration and communication are imperative for a business to be successful . Make sure you have all of the right tools in place so that your team can collaborate efficiently and achieve more. We’ve all learnt to spend more time in remote meetings so don’t let lack of technology, or lack of training in the technology, hold your business back.

The post Improving your business – expert tips appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

The sender or speaker has more options available to them than the person they are communicating with. They have access to more tools which will allow them to communicate better, the listener has a limited amount of assistance available. This is the main reason why a project manager needs to be good at both types of skill, otherwise there is a very real risk that communications are not fully understood.

The importance of listening properly

At the centre of the information flow for any project is the project manager, for this reason communication should be considered one of the most important parts of their role. They need to be able to:

• Plan the management of communication
• Manage those communications
• Control those communications

Difficult projects

When it comes to complex projects you need to put your PM skills to good use because you will not only be receiving important information but also delivering it too. Good listening is vital because you need to be on top of problems as soon as they occur. Sometimes this might mean adopting a completely different way of thinking.

One way in which this can be done is with the assistance of an advisory network which should be made up of peers in an advisory capacity. This body of peers should be diverse whilst striking the correct balance of “old hands” and “newcomers”. With strong listening skills the open exchange of ideas should be possible to assist with any issues on the project. Not rushing to make judgements, listening fully, and asking detailed questions will all be important tools.

When interacting with other members of the team and with stakeholders, whether brainstorming or communicating complex information, project managers also need to apply their listening skills. It is important to listen to any concerns that stakeholders have in addition to focusing on any issues that the project team might bring to their attention.

“Faulty” listening

Mistakes are often made as a result of “faulty” listening, which can reduce effectiveness and create missed opportunities. Communication is often the key cause of failed projects; information that is not sent or received effectively can have an extremely negative effect on the outcome of any project. It is important that everyone not only listens but takes the time to process what they have heard so that these mistakes can be avoided.

The post Mindful listening for managers appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

So let’s take a look at 3 key skills that are vital to a change management role and how you can develop and improve these skills for your own personal benefit and the benefit of your organisation.

Communication Skills

Good communication skills are essential for all leaders and managers. You must be able to deliver the right information in the right way and at the right time – but, of course, also to the right people.

And communication is a two-way process so as well as disseminating information you also need to be able to listen effectively then absorb and understand what you hear.

Clearly then, communication is much more than just about speaking effectively or writing a concise status report. Good communication skills in a change management role are, in effect, facilitation skills to help deliver transformational change within an organisation.

Before your even decide on the methods of delivery you need to identify your audience and devise your message. Very often in a change management role your audience could be the whole organisation but the message needs to be different for people at different levels of seniority; or different for those who might be affected by the change in different ways.

Without effective communication it will be hard to overcome the natural human resistance often encountered when major organisational change is being implemented. Change management experts always advise focusing on the people most affected by a planned change and targeting communication to them to allay concerns and highlight the benefits of the proposed change.

Analytical Skills

Organisational change is most often implemented via one or more projects which will have gathered and analysed a wide range of data. These project data are useful to change managers but they will also need additional data that looks at data beyond the scope of most projects.

For instance, the culture of an organisation is often firmly embedded in the workforce and their day-to-day working lives (especially in well-established companies). Yet a change initiative can require a complete change in behaviours and even a new mindset for a new business vision to be realised.

So those managing change may need to assess, understand and then change deep-seated cultural behaviours. This can best be done through focus days and workshops. However, you may also need to gather and analyse data concerning current skillsets to identify skills gaps and then arrange the appropriate training courses for employees.

Good analytical skills will ensure that the right training and support can be identified and provided to ensure people are willing and able to grasp the opportunities that major organisational change can bring.

Risk Management Skills

Major organisational change will always be risky so leaders involved in managing change need to also be adept at risk management. You will first need to identify the risks that could occur and assess the likelihood of any one or more risks occurring. You will then need to understand the impact of those risks and plan mitigating strategies that take account of budget and time constraints. Finally you will need to implement those strategies should the risks occur.

The post Managing Change Successfully: 3 Skills Every Leader Needs appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

Small businesses today have the advantage of the internet to reach their target audience, which allows them to compete on an (almost) even playing field with market leaders in their industry. However, in order to access that “even playing field,” a small business must be well informed about the gatekeepers to visibility online – the major search engines.

The major search engines, led by Google, hold the key to the visibility of any website online. With literally thousands of new websites being created on a daily basis, any business that does not know how to make itself known to the major search engines will be relegated to the depths of obscurity. It does not matter how good the brand or the product is when a business is just starting out; online marketing is everything.

A major part of online marketing is Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which can be defined as the series of techniques that enable a website to become visible within the major search engines, thus becoming much more visible online to a targeted audience. There are many aspects of search engine optimization, and the discipline continues to become more precise with every search engine algorithm update. Search engines are much more sophisticated than they were even just a few years ago so the techniques  you use need to stay abreast of the latest best practices in order to avoid stagnating.

Today, digital marketing is a full-time job. There are very few small businesses with the manpower or the time to dedicate the right amount of resources and employees to it and still have enough resources to devote to the day-to-day operations of business.

Most small businesses that are successful create partnerships with consultants that perform the majority of the legwork of a digital marketing strategy.

An SEO consultant will develop an online strategy that will implement the latest SEO initiatives and steer clear of common pitfalls; ensuring that its efforts are met with the greatest amount of success possible. A good consultant will also be able to navigate the ever-changing waters of SEO, informing a business when it needs to change strategies before the older strategies become a hazard to online visibility.

Below are just a few of the aspects of a digital marketing strategy that are important for online success.

1.Keyword optimization

The first and most important aspect of SEO is defining the key words and phrases used in online searches by the target audience. This will help the Google algorithm to index the website properly and list it for the right keywords. Keywords are the words that people type into a search engine query box in order to find products, services or information. In order to direct the visibility of a business online toward an audience that will likely receive it well, a website must be listed for the appropriate keywords.

2.Content Marketing

Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach that involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a target audience. The primary goal of content marketing is not to directly promote a product or service but to provide information, advice, or other forms of value to the audience. By doing so, content marketing aims to build trust, establish authority, and foster long-term relationships with potential customers.

A content marketing strategy involves developing various types of content, such as blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, podcasts, social media posts, and more. That content focuses on understanding the specific demographics, interests, and pain points of the target audience. This helps in creating content that resonates with viewers. It should encourage audience interaction and engagement, such as leaving comments, sharing on social media or reading other pieces of content on the same website via call-to-action links.

Content marketing is often seen as a long-term strategy, as it takes time to build an audience and see significant results. However, when executed effectively, it can be a powerful method for driving brand awareness, customer loyalty, and ultimately, sales.

3.Link building vs link earning.

The ability to build links that point toward a website encompass an important part of the overall ranking of that website within the major search engines. Major search engines like Google consider a site that is linked to a great deal to be reputable and informative. Sites that are reputable will be listed much higher in search engine rankings than sites that are deemed uninformative.

However, it is not enough to simply throw links around on any webpage that you can find. The major search engines also take note of the reputation of websites that link to a business as well. In order to raise the ranking of a website, business must have links from highly reputable websites. Today it is about earning links not just link building. Link earning is were you create content for a community which it will naturally share in the form of backlinks.

4.Social media mentions and interaction

Social media activity and interaction with a target audience can be essential for certain types of businesses (although not all and often not B2B businesses). By connecting with audiences on the social networks they frequent, businesses can raise awareness of their products or services and also elevate awareness of their brand.

The post Why every small business needs digital marketing appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

Initiate The Concept and Define The Purpose

Before beginning your initiative, it is important to define exactly what it is you want to accomplish. This includes defining the overall scope of the project and defining the goals and objectives for the project. Before you can begin planning, you must first define the purpose. Once the purpose is defined, you can then create an action plan to help achieve your goals.

Write Down The Steps You Need To Take

Knowing the requirements of your project will help you plan it appropriately and identify the steps that you will need to take in order to achieve success. This may include developing a detailed timeline that will outline all of the steps involved, including research, design, production, and distribution. The more thorough you are with this process, the easier it will be to implement and monitor success criteria. However, keep in mind that you must also be flexible throughout the execution, as there may be things that you are unable to plan for due to unforeseen circumstances.

Set Meaningful Milestones

When creating your plan, be sure to set specific milestones that will help monitor your progress and provide an accurate assessment of the status of your project. Be sure to include cut-off dates in your plan and set clear expectations as to when each milestone must be completed. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you meet all of the requirements for your first project in a timely manner. Measuring the progress of your project will help you determine whether or not you are on track to reach your goals as well as identify any potential problems that need to be resolved. It can also help you adjust the project timeline.

Think Outside The Box

Are you utilizing all available technologies to promote and manage your project? If not, you may want to do additional research on new strategies that could be useful to you. You may also want to experiment with different types of technology and tools. If you need help along the way, for example, with setting up live streaming, check out Red Bee Media’s playout services. Having a fresh perspective can help you discover new ways to manage your project and come up with innovative ideas that may be able to help you achieve your goals.

Communicate Well

Make sure that your first project is well coordinated and that all members of the team are on the same page. This is particularly important if there are several people involved in different aspects of the project such as technical development. Without proper communication, the team may find it difficult to deliver the results that were expected of them and it may also cause delays in the implementation process. In order to prevent these issues from occurring, make sure that all team members are aware of the goals of the campaign and have clear instructions on how to achieve them.

The post Helpful Tips For Project Managers Starting Their First Project appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

For those starting out on a career as a project manager – or maybe considering a career change into project management – there are a few things to know to get off to the best start. Below is a useful beginner’s guide to becoming a project manager, listing some of the main attributes required and what’s involved in this career choice. Bear in mind that this is now a chartered profession in the UK so you will almost certainly need to study for some professional project management certification during your career to progress to the most senior levels. Keep reading to learn more.

What Traits Are Needed To Be A Project Manager?

Project managers need to be highly organised and equipped with good planning skills. As project management jobs can very often be fast-paced and demanding, a cool and calm head under pressure is needed. Strong communication and leadership skills are also essential, as well as the confidence to oversee a large team of people and delegate tasks. Project managers have to frequently be able to provide solutions quickly and efficiently to problems that arise, so the ability to be a quick-thinker and enjoy problem-solving are also needed. The ability to motivate others and lead by example will stand a person in good stead as a project manager, helping them to thrive in their own work and help others to do the same.

Compiling Reports

Project managers are responsible for compiling reports for the projects they have been working on for the company. The ability to create a clear and detailed report is a skill all project managers will need to develop. Some of the things that can help to make a report better include merging multiple PDF files to make them easier to link together, only using relevant graphs and charts to present data, and making sure all the necessary information is listed in a logical way that’s easy to read. Feedback opportunities should also be given to allow future improvements to reports that present data in a better format.

Setting Goals and Targets

Project managers are responsible for ensuring that a team and the company as a whole is able to reach set targets and goals. However, they are also responsible for setting out the aims for targets in the first place. Project managers need to be good at identifying the ways in which a company or team can improve its performance and what its goals and targets need to be. They will then need to be able to motivate their team to achieve these targets and guide them in the actions that need to be taken to get there.

Overseeing a Team

For those that are new to project management, overseeing and leading a team of people could initially feel uncomfortable and unknown. When starting out as a project manager, it can be helpful to build on confidence and leadership skills and undertake further training if necessary. This can help new project managers to feel more comfortable in their role, delegating tasks, and dealing with fellow team members. It can also be helpful to learn how to handle workplace disputes and the process to follow should one arise. This will help to prevent projects from being affected by a lack of teamwork and communication.

The post A Beginner’s Guide To Becoming A Project Manager appeared first on Project Accelerator News.

Burn out is a state of chronic stress that leads to physical and emotional exhaustion. If left unattended, it will impact on productivity, morale and can affect your personal life too. Burnout is usually a gradual process which can often go unnoticed until the symptoms are too severe to ignore any longer. Being able to identify them as early as possible is essential to help prevent a situation becoming unbearable. Three signs you or someone around you might be close to burnout include: 

1. Exhaustion – Having no energy, poor memory, bad sleep and getting sick are signs of exhaustion.
2. Alienation – This is having a negative perspective, neglecting yourself, getting easily agitated and isolating yourself.
3. Reduced performance – Missing deadlines, becoming less engaged, procrastination and the inability to concentrate.

How To Combat Burnout

Have you noticed any signs of burnout like these? If you fear you’re facing burnout, the tips below could help you. It may be worth taking a look even if you’re not currently suffering any of the symptoms above, as they could help you to help others avoid burnout.

Time Control

Gaining control over your time is crucial. As project managers, your time is just as valuable as any team members. Try scheduling meetings based on your availability and if there isn’t time in your schedule it can wait. Most projects will not be hugely hindered by waiting a couple of days for a less than critical meeting.

Taking a break

It may sound simple but make sure to take your breaks and preferably move away from your desk to do so. Take a quick walk around your work area and have lunch out of the office. This will give you those much-needed mental breaks.

Don’t go to work sick – and take your holidays

When you are sick, don’t go into work because you feel there is too much to do. Listen to your body, it is telling you to slow down and take a much-needed rest. Make sure to take your holidays throughout the year and not leave it till the end. Taking this time will improve your mental and physical health.

Create work/home boundaries

It is important to look at boundary lines between your work and personal life. This can be hard to accomplish when project managers are working long hours and want to be available for their team and clients. Whilst being available is important, there are times when you should not be. Family and social time is important, and so is time on your own.

Invest in yourself

One of the most important things we can do is to take care of our health. You can do so by getting a balanced diet and regular exercise, as well as ensuring you are getting the right amount of sleep. Another way to invest in yourself is in terms of updating skills that might provide techniques to help you manage your time and your projects more efficiently, such as time management.

Avoiding burnout is best, but if you’re already suffering, the tips above could help you come out the other side, and give you some insight into avoiding future episodes.

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