How to set and achieve goals?

As a Project Manager, you have too much work to do and not enough time to do it in. With so much going on, you need to be really focused if you want to achieve success. The best way to get focused is to set 3 Project Goals and then work hard to achieve them.

Step 1: Identify what’s important

In projects, everything is priority . So you need to take time to sit down with your Project Sponsor and identify what it is that is really important to achieve. Ask them this question: “If there were 3 critical things that the project had to deliver, then what would they be?”

The 3 things might be “delivering on time, under budget and to specification”. Or it might be producing 3 key deliverables. Or they might be 3 major business benefits.

Step 2: Set them as goals

Then take these 3 important “things” and turn them into project goals. Remember to make your goals SMART – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely.

So why only have 3 goals? It’s simple. With everything that goes on in your project, you will only ever remember 3 things long term. That’s also why you need to keep them short and simple. If you set 5 or more goals, then you’ll probably forget them within a week, making them harder to achieve.

Step 3: Communicate them

Print out your new goals and put them on your wall behind by your desk. Then take your team out for lunch and tell them what the 3 goals are and why they are important to achieve.

Then tell your other stakeholders about them, including any contractors, suppliers and business representatives that may be involved with the project. Make sure everyone in the project knows what has to be done and by when. Then you’re all “on the same page” and working towards the same goal posts.

Step 4: Set an Action Plan

Having the goals in front of you every day will help, but you need to get serious and create an action plan to achieve them. Revisit your Project Plan and identify all of the tasks that will specifically help you achieve your 3 goals. These tasks are now the “high priority” tasks for the project and together, they form your “Action Plan”.

Assign your best resource to these high priority tasks and make sure they have everything they need to achieve them.

Step 5: Keep an Eye on Progress

As a Project Manager, you can’t watch everything. So just focus on the high priority tasks in your plan. Track their progress daily. Resolve any issues that arise with them, as quickly as possible. Personally oversee them if you need to. If they slip, then take quick action to bring them back on track. Do everything in your power, to make sure that these high priority tasks are completed on time, so that you can achieve your 3 goals and lead your project to success.

Waqar Hussain

a project management professional and blogger who write about project management and entrepreneurship in Pakistan

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