Don’t let your projects cheat on you, get intimate. Rule No. 1 The project is for the business.

As a business owner, director, senior executive, or manager, your plate is constantly full. There's always so much to do, and it often feels like there are not enough hours in the day to get it all done. Your primary role is to run the business, and that means entrusting others with specific tasks and responsibilities. Trusting your team is essential, but what happens when things start to go awry?
 
When everything runs smoothly, you can focus on the big picture. But when issues arise, they can quickly become all-encompassing. If your business is built on projects, the fate of your business is intertwined with the success of those projects. It's the first rule of CS projects: the project is for the business, and this principle should guide both the project itself and your business strategy.
 
However, do you always achieve your intended outcomes from a project, not just in financial terms, but also in terms of relationship building, repeat business, recognition, learning, growth, and timely resource utilization?
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The truth is, sometimes you don't. Projects can derail, and when they do, it's because you're not getting what you need as a business. If project hiccups become a recurring theme, your business will suffer.
 
When embarking on a project, you typically have specific goals in mind. However, taking a hasty, inconsiderate approach is a recipe for failure. This is especially true when you factor in the diverse needs and expectations of all involved parties. Projects can quickly devolve into a standoff, causing everyone to lose out.
 
What's even worse is when the individuals managing the project for you are left to guess what you want. Their success becomes a matter of chance, and the results can be hit or miss. And if you, as the business leader, are unclear about your project objectives, success becomes an elusive goal.
 
So, what's the solution?
 
To ensure both project and business success, you must be crystal clear about your project's objectives and what your business needs from it. Additionally, understanding the expectations of other stakeholders is crucial. This approach increases the likelihood of a successful outcome that benefits everyone and maximizes the project's value.
 
Here's a practical approach:
 
1.Clearly Define Your Objectives: Highlight your project's goals and objectives, ensuring they align with your business's strategic vision.
 
2.Discover Others' Needs: Encourage your team to identify what other stakeholders want from the project. This collaborative effort can uncover win-win solutions.
 
3.Seek Compromises: Be open to making trade-offs when necessary. Sometimes, you may need to compromise on quality to meet deadlines or allocate additional resources to achieve broader project scope.
 
4.Keep interested to ensure the objectives are being met before it goes wrong and consumes all of your time.
 
Remember, if you don't seek understanding, you’re not interested, you're left in the dark, with no chance of achieving your goals. It's like throwing darts blindfolded.
 
So as a business, get intimate with your project. Give it the attention it deserves, and it will reciprocate by delivering value that satisfies everyone involved.
 
Rule No. 1 ‘The project is for the business’
 
If you need assistance or guidance to enhance your project management, don't hesitate to reach out to CS Projects. We're here to help you in a sustainable and manageable way.
 
This blog first appeared on www.cowshedprojects.com if you'd like to find out more or help with improving and working on your projects, please drop me a line.
 
Thanks for reading
 
Simon