The challenges faced by Project Manager are quite diverse which can range from impossible deadlines, Resource deprivation, Ambiguous contingency plans, risk management to Lack of stakeholder engagement, Communication, Poorly defined goals, Scope Creep, Skills limitations, Legal, environment etc. But the topmost challenge I feel is Undefined Goals or Poorly defined Goals which occurs due to lack of clearly defined objectives and milestones to measure progress. This challenge can be tackled by setting goals using SMART rules.
What is SMART rules:
- S – Specific (simple, sensible, significant)
- M – Measurable (meaningful, motivating)
- A – Achievable (agreed, attainable)
- R – Relevant (reasonable, realistic and resourced, results-based)
- T – Timebound (time-based, time limited, time/cost limited, timely, time-sensitive)
When we write a GOAL, run it through SMART to discover if it fulfils SMART objectives and if it is worth the Time & Effort. First and foremost is to Be Specific and the best way to be specific is answer Five W’s: who, what, why, where and which.
Now to measure the progress, be specific on what you want to achieve and by what date and make sure this is trackable. To check if it is achievable, the organisation needs to be onboard with project, all resources available and project is relevant and is going to solve a problem or produce a product or service. And in the end the project has sufficient time to be completed and still will be able to take advantage of opportunity and is relevant in overall context.