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.