PROJECT MANAGEMENT
To manage a project, you need 4 equally important and simple things.
A plan. Here is a framework I use to calibrate a project before getting started:
- Description — What is this project?
- Problem or opportunity — What problem is this project solving? (or What opportunity is this project seizing?)
- Why — How do we know this is a real problem worth solving? (or How do we know this is a real opportunity worth seizing?)
- Success — How do we know if we have solved this problem? (or How do we know if we have seize this opportunity?)
- Audience — Who are we building for?
- Stakeholders — Who shall be involved?
- Action plan — How are we going to move forward?
A tool. Create a master document that logs what should be done, by whom, and by when. Notion is great.
An owner. Find a volunteer to keep this document live, follow up regularly with the various stakeholders, and communicate about the project's advancement. This person's role is to ensure that we deliver the initiative on time, with minimal tensions. She owns the rhythmics and interfaces, not necessarily the actual production.
And discipline. Trust the process and commandment chain, and don't let the ball fall between two players.