That’s because people have a funny way of forgetting conversations (especially when they refer to project scope or deadlines). But you need to feel confident in the fact that you’re documenting conversations and keeping everyone in the loop, just in case problems pop up in the future. You may think no one reads your notes, and really, it’s okay if they don’t (some of the time). This simple act can help you tenfold on projects. You probably take reams of notes in meetings and send them out to your team, clients, and stakeholders. If you handle situations professionally and swiftly with your team, you’ll most certainly work them out. At the end of the day, business is business. Staying focused on project goals-and the steps that will help you get there-is an easy way to take personal feelings out of it. If you pull in the right people to help address the issue (see the questions above), you’ll be less inclined to take on the blame and can focus on devising a plan that helps everyone move forward. But they’re going to come up from behind every once in a while, and there’s not much you can do about that. Sure, any good project manager can spot issues from a mile away and shoot them down before they get close. But getting stuck in self-blame won’t get you any closer to a solution. Don’t take it personallyĪs a project manager, it’s easy to take project issues personally and let every little word or action get to you. Simply relaying the fact you’re working on it should quell any immediate concerns. If someone pressures you to meet about or discuss the issue, it’s okay to let them know you need time to develop options to resolve the issue. Otherwise, you could end up making a hasty decision that leads to longer-term issues. Once you’ve thought these things through, you can act on the problem with some assurance you’ve identified the true issue and can propose an appropriate plan of attack.īut remember: If you’re responsible for resolving an issue quickly, make sure YOU define what “quickly” means based on your comfort level. What will happen if it’s not fixed within the hour/today/tomorrow/this week?.Who do I need to notify about the problem?.Who knows more about this problem than me?.Here are a few questions you may want to ask yourself at this stage: It’s a much more productive use of your time-as well as everyone else’s on your project. So take time to consult your team and devise a plan before reacting. And let’s be real: You won’t always have all the answers (even if you think you’re on the hook for them). Responding to an issue right away doesn’t mean you’re solving the problem the right way. But you should always pause to thoroughly think through an issue first. Project-related issues are often urgent, making you feel the need to act immediately. These 5 tips can help you maintain calm at every level. But as the project manager, you set the tone for everyone’s emotions. It’s hard to keep stress in check when things go wrong on your projects. How to resolve project issues with less stress So let’s talk about how to manage stress when issues like these pop up, then dive into the absolute best way to reduce project stress and avoid burnout. Communication breaks down, and no one’s aligned on goals or next steps.You go over budget and have to explain it to a stakeholder.Team members miss deadlines because they’re too bogged down with work.People are confused about their roles and responsibilities.Stakeholders fail to respond or approve things on time.You get unexpected changes in project scope, budget, or timeline.A project’s handed to you with little guidance, and you have to figure out how to get it done on time and budget.You’re the frontline for project questions, issues, and complaints.Your role isn’t generally understood or respected in your organization.Here are a few common causes of stress in project management: But that’s not the only reason project management is stressful. How to resolve project issues with less stressīeing responsible for a project-but not having control over the people you rely on to get the work done-is a huge factor in project manager anxiety.If you follow these guidelines, you’ll find yourself less anxious and more excited about your work. But you’re an expert problem-solver who thrives in times of crisis. It may not be easy to find a solution to every project woe. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to manage work-induced stress. To be fair, project anxiety comes with the territory. Is it any wonder that you end up bearing the brunt of project stress? If a difficult conversation or decision needs to happen, it’s your job to handle it. Every day brings a new challenge-and sometimes even a crisis.Īs a project manager, you’re at the center of project action and deal with the unexpected. No one would argue with the fact that project management is stressful.
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