This Scribe Page is for new project managers to help them manage their first project successfully.

Step 1: Understand and manage the expectations of project stakeholders

Objective: This step is to help new project managers support stakeholders throughout the project process.

How to keep stakeholders reassured:

• Identify who the major stakeholders are.

• Identify the communication channel each stakeholder prefers.

• Engage stakeholders before making crucial decisions.

Step 2: Create the project’s goals and objectives

Objective: Create time-bound, attainable and specific goals you can measure when you complete the project.

SMART goals will help you know if:

• Your project succeeded.

• You met the project's vision and objectives.

• You missed your targets.

Step 3: Design the project plan

Objective: Create a project plan to help you complete the project on time and within budget.

Tasks to complete in this step:

• Define the what, why and standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the project.

• Write the project goals and implement stakeholder requirements.

• Define the tasks you need to complete to accomplish each deliverable.

• Create the project schedule using a Gantt chart.

• Define the communication channels everyone should use during the project.

Step 4: Determine the project budget

Objective: Determine the budget to help stakeholders know how much money you need and when you'll need it.

What to consider in this step:

• Cost estimates for capital expenditures, operating expenses, direct, indirect and project deliverables costs.

• Budget contingency (emergency fund for the unforeseen).

• Budget monitoring.

Step 5: Monitor the project’s progress and performance

Objective: Track the project’s progress and performance to ensure its heading in the right direction.

Tasks to complete in this step:

• Use a project management tool to generate automatic reports.

• Make the project transparent to every team member.

• Make a project schedule for yourself to track the goals you’ve created with your team.

Congratulations. You’ve successfully completed the essential steps of managing a project. Keep revisiting this Page and collate your learning resources on this Page.