Perhaps you’ve encountered this problem. As your team starts on a new project, issues that you’ve faced on similar projects come up again. It turns out that the solution may be one you’ve thought of before but not invested enough time in.
A key component of successful project management is documentation. Specifically, process documentation – which involves writing down the steps taken to achieve a benchmark in your project plan. While it may seem like a time-consuming requirement, there are benefits that make it a worthwhile practice and can make your next project easier. Here are 3 to consider:
Find opportunities to streamline
In essence, this is a chance to work smarter, not harder. The process of completing tasks defined in the planning stage typically reveals steps that can be refined or eliminated. Comparing similar tasks across projects magnifies this effect by helping you identify methods that can become standards. Ultimately this leads to greater efficiency.
Compare and improve
A system of documented practices is also useful in determining what works well and what can be improved. Once identified, you can determine what advantages set you apart from your competitors.
Become more process-oriented
Teams are dynamic. They can be formed or disbanded at a moment’s notice. Having a set of standard processes in place allows the team to move fluidly from the planning stage into implementation.
Every project is unique, and every client has different needs. Still, the benefits of a structured set of processes should not be underestimated. Standard procedures keep the project on track, by helping the team transition smoothly from one task to the next and giving the project manager greater control over the outcome.
