Focus on Project Goals
Long-term goals are what projects are all about. Daily project challenges make it difficult to keep focus on those goals. Here are tips to help you keep your eye on the prize of successful project completion.
- Use two goal definitions. The first set of project goal definitions needs to be relatable to your stakeholders to maintain their interest and support. But what about your needs? To keep you moving toward completion of the project and your growth opportunities, write your own goals for project completion. What will you gain personally? How will this project’s success help you get your next assignment? What other benefits might you receive after the project is completed?
- Track multiple milestone types. Milestones can demonstrate progress. Because that progress can take several forms, create milestones that show positive movement for your stakeholders. Create a second set of milestones that are significant for the project team, like getting interfaces to work, overcoming a problem, or settling team staffing. Acknowledging these accomplishments boosts team morale and recognizes the valuable contributions all of you are making to the project’s success.
- Focus on learning moments. Projects offer a bounty of unexpected moments, many of which are great learning opportunities. The more difficult, the more learning! Reflect on what you and the team have learned from what the project has thrown at you. How can you apply that learning to your current and future projects? You’ll see the value of the project journey — and the destination.
- Adjust your plans without shame! Projects present us with unique circumstances. Despite diligent planning, you may have to adjust mid-flight. That’s okay! It’s part of project management and increases your ability to deliver your project successfully. Ignoring the need to replan is a much worse sin.
- Hold celebrations along the way. Achieving milestones, learning lessons, and successful replanning are causes to celebrate. Don’t wait until the end to acknowledge your accomplishments. Get your team together, celebrate your progress, and enjoy the journey.
Be honest: are you still aiming for your project target or are you lost in the weeds of day-to-day project minutiae? If you’re lost in the weeds, take a moment now to try one of these tips. If you’re laser-focused, share one of your secrets with the rest of us in the comments section.
For more about goal setting, check out Todd Dewett’s Performance Management : Setting Goals and Managing Performance course.
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This article belongs to the Bonnie’s Project Pointers newsletter series, which has more than 67,000 subscribers. This newsletter is 100% written by a human (no aliens or AIs involved). If you like this article, you can subscribe to receive notifications when a new article posts.
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