Tag Archives: Task Management

Tips on Achieving Your Company’s Long-Term Goals

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The success of any organization is dependent not only on their long-term vision and goals, but also how they manage their team in achieving them. Long-term goals are achieved through long-term projects, which themselves are made up of smaller projects and goals; and it is these smaller goals and projects that create complexity in execution and management.

So how can you manage your team on long-term projects without complicating matters? Use a combination of technology, smaller goals and tasks, and regular feedback to not only manage, but also motivate.

Break the Project into Smaller Tasks

Completing a large project is easier when it is broken into smaller tasks and then assigned to individuals or teams. This also boosts productivity since there is a sense of achievement each time an individual task is completed. This is where an acceleration team shines!

Use Visual Aids

Use pie charts and bar graphs to visually represent where you and your team stand in terms of the project and its smaller goals. It is an excellent motivator, regardless of where you stand, but be sure to share them with your team.

Use Action Boards

Building on the idea of using visual aids, don’t only visually represent the larger goals and progress to achieving them; use visual aids to show the smaller goals that feed into the big goal, remembering that each small goal achieved is a step closer to the bigger goal. This entrenches accountability, but also serves as a strong motivator.

Allow Your Team to Set Goals

Instead of drawing up goals for your entire team, ask them to work through the project and compile their own set of goals. This needn’t be a long exercise, but you will see a much better commitment from everyone if they feel they have been more involved with the project from inception.

Goals Must be S.M.A.R.T.

You should be familiar with the concept of S.M.A.R.T. goals – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Whether it is each teams members individual goals, or the goals for the project as a whole, always verify that they are S.M.A.R.T. There should also be quarterly goals that are linked to moving the company forward, and to achieving bigger goals.

Commit to Weekly Updates

This applies to both you and your team. Ask them to submit weekly feedback on their individual progress and obstacles, which you can then collate into a master document to highlight overall progress. This also gives everyone an opportunity to raise concerns, allowing for appropriate action to be taken in advance.

Use Online Project Management Tools

One of the most popular tools for managing large projects, goals and teams is Basecamp. With Basecamp you are able to create separate pages for each goal or project, and then assign teams to them. Basecamp is especially useful if your team is spread across the country, or even the world, allowing all discussions to be centralized and accessible to everyone.

Use CRM Software

CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software solutions are great not only for managing customers and sales leads, but also for managing large projects. Keeping all contact information and communication in a central location makes it easier for anyone to hand over part of a project to someone else, while also allowing you to monitor achievements and progress overall.

Use Task Management Software

Two wonderful solutions for breaking big projects into smaller tasks, and then monitoring the progress, are Trello and Asana (and you know how we love Asana). Each large project can be broken down into smaller projects and tasks, and then assigned to team members. Any comments and notes regarding each task happens within the programs, and are accessible to all team members.

About Project Acceleration Services:

At PAS, we provide on demand project management, scheduling and documentation services. Eliminate your need to hire expensive project managers for your organization and instead you use the project management services that you need when you need them. Contact us today for a consultation!

Why Joining an Accelerator Isn’t for Every Startup

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For many small business owners and startups the idea of applying for admission to a business incubator or accelerator program can be quite appealing. Being accepted into an accelerator program gives you access to entrepreneurial support and services that would otherwise be hard to come by, with studies also showing that more than 80 percent of companies that successfully graduate from accelerators programs remain in business.

Accelerator programs all differ in their approach, but services you could expect to gain access to include:

  • Outstanding networking opportunities
  • Guidance on marketing
  • Angel investors and venture capital
  • Business mentors
  • Assistance with financial management

However, you should always evaluate any program fully, looking at what is offered and what is expected in return. Any accelerator program is going to have conditions attached, but you have to decide whether the conditions are fair, and what impact they could have on your business. The following precautions should serve as a guideline of what you can do, and what you should avoid:

Do some research

Don’t only research the surface details of the program, go a little deeper; what they offer and provide access to should align with your actual needs. Speak to startups that have already been through the program, asking about their experience and what advice they might have for you.

Don’t make assumptions

Before you approach any accelerator program, you should have a very clear idea of what your business needs are, and what you would want to achieve from any program. When speaking to past ‘graduates’ you can ask whether any of them had similar needs, and whether they were met by the program. If one of your goals is additional funding, yet no previous graduates ever received investments because of the program, you can at least walk away before accepting any terms.

Understand your objectives

Accelerator programs are meant to benefit both parties, and during the application process you are being carefully assessed. This is when you need to also state exactly what your expectations are, what you hope to gain from the experience. If they don’t align with what the program can offer or deliver, both parties can avoid committing to what will ultimately turn into a very awkward and unrewarding experience.

Applying to an accelerator program should not be a hasty decision. Evaluate your needs, do the necessary research, and find the program that offers the most benefit to your startup.

About Project Acceleration Services:

At PAS, we provide on demand project management, scheduling and documentation services. Eliminate your need to hire expensive project managers for your organization and instead you use the project management services that you need when you need them. Contact us today for a consultation!

Trust – Accountability – Transparency

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Without trust, accountability and transparency, remote teams fail to meet a client’s needs. Period. Reporting and status updates keep clients apprised of their tasks, while also keeping team members on task. Being transparent ensures that there is a progression, an act of moving forward, and that all parties acknowledge and are involved.

asana-logo

There are many platforms available for project management, such as our preferred tool Asana. Asana’s straight forward streamlined UI, allows multiple users to join in on a project and collaborate. This includes the option to include clients into the work-stream and keep work transparent and accountable.

To fine tune their project management system, the folks at Asana went live with the integration to Harvest time tracking to add a further element of accountability to project management on Thursday. Asana’s generous free plan allows for teams of 14 or less, and tiered pricing for 15+ members. The solo price for a Harvest account is $12/month for up to three uses with unlimited clients, projects and invoicing.

Combining time tracking to an established, easy to use project management tool, Asana’s team is working hard to continually improve tier product and we are proud to be users.

About Project Acceleration Services:

At PAS, we provide on demand project management, scheduling and documentation services. Eliminate your need to hire expensive project managers for your organization and instead you use the project management services that you need when you need them. Contact us today for a consultation!