New project management checklist

    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.