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Project Management Rumors & Hearsay Can Send Your Projects into the Soup

Project management is the process of planning, starting, monitoring, and ending activities in a scheme.

Proper management ensures the achievement of objectives using the available resources.

A good project manager should be able to motivate his/her team to finish their tasks efficiently and on time.

But rumors and hearsay concerning scheme management and its ins and outs can be detrimental to a projects life. Here’s why you shouldn’t believe everything you hear about project management.

The Downsides of Falling for any Rumor

Project management myths tend to mislead venture administrators. Many managers operate projects using their knowledge and beliefs. When they follow delusional thinking, they are bound to make a mistake in their administrative activities.

In recent years, there has been an advancement in management methods and strategies. Some of these techniques favor failure rather than success. Such practices lead to project governance misconceptions.

Myths tend to do more harm than benefit. Delusional beliefs tend to lead to poor decision-making which can crumble a venture. Poor project management may result in delays, misuse of resources, and dissatisfaction of clients.

The Project Management Myths That are Detrimental to a Scheme

Misconceptions can affect effective project management. Scheme managers should be conversant with common management misbeliefs.

Learning widespread project governance misconceptions helps a team leader avoid making decisions based on mere hearsay. Here are the 8 top myths relating to project administration:

1. Project managers can solve all issues

It is normal to encounter problems during a project. The complications may range in severity and number. Difficulties may also occur at the beginning, middle, or end of a project.

Most personnel have the belief that the manager should handle all project issues. Such a notion is far from the truth. The capable team of experts can step in to handle smaller problems— that’s the essence of working as a team.

In an ideal situation, project managers should only deal with issues that go beyond the authority and capability of their teams.

If a workforce is efficient, a manager may not even hear of the minor problems that occur in a scheme. The employees will handle and solve such trivial matters to drive the project to its final goal.

Project managers should understand that there are issues that they may be unable to solve. Something may occur within the venture, and you may lack the expertise to resolve it. When this happens, it is best to swallow your pride and admit you need help.

Getting help externally or internally can help resolve issues ASAP. Project managers may not know everything, but they can get help in times of need.

2. Deadlines are more significant than the product or service quality

Effective time management is essential in any project. Time determines how long activities will run as well as deadlines. During a project, the client expects to receive a product or service before or within a set period.

Changes and uncertainties may affect the course of the project resulting in a time deficit. Many project leaders believe that rushing activities is the best course of action.

Such project management myths lead to the release of a substandard product/ service. Rushing the project process affects the quality of the results. It is always best to prioritize the quality of outcomes over deadlines.

3. Multitasking is more efficient than doing one task at a time

Project managers often believe that running tasks simultaneously ensures efficiency. However, this is far from the truth.

Computer systems can multitask as they can run several tasks at the same time. Computers can take on two or three different tasks at a go.

Human beings tend to switch in between activities rather than multitasking. Switching quickly from one activity to another can be tiring.

When exhaustion takes the best of us, it is harder to concentrate on any activity. A drop in work productivity and efficiency then occurs.

Research shows that it is better to concentrate on one task at a time. It guarantees good quality and reduces burnout.

4. A buzz of activities indicates high productivity

Projects have a specific schedule where employees work. Project managers assume that working staff are productive employees.

Such project management myths can be detrimental to your bottom line. In a real sense, an up-and down team is not a good indicator of productivity.

Personnel may be at work for ten hours but only productive for three hours. Employees may even pretend to be busy because the management is around. Once the project manager leaves, constructive work ceases.

Effective project management involves the use of a monitoring system. It analyses all activities and reports at the end of the day, week, or month. Project managers can see whether individual staff are working towards the project’s objectives or not.

5. Successful projects are an indication of future success

Project managers tend to use their prior success as a guide to current projects. Some administrators go far as boasting of previous feats. Nonetheless, past success does not automatically mean you’ll be victorious in future—each project must be treated as unique.

Things may not work out to your benefit, like in the past. Variations in methods, tools, personnel, and other factors can affect the outcome of a project. Small differences can result in a significant effect.

It is not a mistake to be proud of prior successes. Project managers should enter new projects with an open mind. Trying to apply one technique to all projects can fail.

6. A single risk assessment and management covers all loopholes

Project administrators, at times, assume that risk management can identify all potential risks.

In a world of uncertainties, harmful incidents can happen when you least expect. Some risks we fail to identify during risk assessment can happen spontaneously.

Risk assessment and management should be continuous. You can handle impromptu incidents more efficiently without interrupting project activities.

7. Project management is a trivial task that anyone can do

Project management is not a job any Tom, Dick and whoever can stick their nose into.

A project manager must have specific qualities and professional skills. Controlling a project is no walk in the park. Processes such as planning, execution, and delivery must happen under a strict schedule.

Effective project management requires a knowledgeable individual. A person without knowledge cannot manage a project even with the proper tools at their disposal.

8. Project management software is time-wasting and expensive

Last on the list of project management myths is the idea that using software to run projects is expensive.

Project administrators frequently consider management software as a waste of time, money and resources.

Investing in a project management software helps to improve efficiency. The pricing of the software subscription depends on the features you want.

Conclusion

Project management myths change over time. In the future, you’ll hear or read something absurd that doesn’t add up. Before you go believing everything you hear, conduct your (own) research.

Identify what is real and what is not. Make decisions based on facts, and not misleading hearsay.