You might be in the market to take on your first big project. Being prepared to take on a big project is different from having to just hit the ground running on smaller projects – there is more at stake. You are more likely to be successful if you break your project up into chunks and plan really well.

The successful completion of each of these will bring you closer to realizing your final goal.

Define It

A crucial part of achieving success in any area is going to be defining what you hope to achieve. This will give you and your team a clear sense of the goals and the tasks that are going to need to be completed on the way. You will be able to see what people you are going to need on your team too.

As a leader, you will need to prepare yourself and others for the work ahead.

A single page will be enough to start you off if you make sure that you have everything in it.

• Define the problem that you will be solving
• How will the project benefit the client company
• The milestones
• Consider all of the weaknesses and difficulties that can happen

Once this document is drawn up, you will be able to move forward with the work. Keeping it short and to the point will concentrate efforts on what matters the most.

“First, have a definite, clear, practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.” ~ Aristotle

Timeline and Scope

You will need to make sure that people arrive on time. Every task will need to be completed at the right time in order for your project to move forward. Special care will need to be given to the budget too.

When you are putting your timeline together, it is essential that you understand where each team needs to arrive and leave. For example, if you miscommunicate the timeline to the construction team, a surveyor company like Thurlow, and the electricians, you are going to lose money, rearrange the timeline and lengthen the projected finish line.

Communication

We just touched on communication in the last point, but it is vital that you consider having a communication management person and plan. This will prevent errors and will mean that there is a smooth flow of communication at all times. This will extend to external partners, vendors, management, stakeholders, and more.

You will need to know who needs what information so that no time is wasted.

Problems

There will be delays, complications, conflicts, and other issues. So making sure that you have a risk management plan in place will limit most of the issues. A good leader will consider all of the areas where there are most likely to be issues. Having a back-up plan for every major milestone and undertaking will help you keep on track.

“Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised.” ~ Denis Waitley