Balanced Rock and Beyond: Strategies for Setting and Achieving Project Goals
Four years ago, my husband and I went hiking at Devil’s Lake State Park in Wisconsin. We consulted a trail map, which seemed straightforward enough to follow to Balanced Rock, a prominent natural symbol of the park. Balanced Rock cracked off the East Bluff and landed in such a way that it appears perfectly balanced on a pedestal.
For the first 20 minutes, following the other hikers and the trail ahead was easy. At one intersection, veered left through the woods, and the trail became increasingly obscure. With limited time for our hike, after another 20 minutes we turned back, eventually finding the main trail and heading back down the hill.
Each year since then, I’ve added “Hike to Balanced Rock” to my list of personal goals. This summer, my husband and I returned to Devil’s Lake. Determined to stay on the trail this time, we avoided the side paths. At one point, I misread the trail sign and continued on the main path rather than taking the rocky path downwards. We unexpectedly arrived at Devil’s Doorway, another fascinating land formation. After taking several photos, we asked for directions to Balanced Rock and finally found the correct path, achieving my long-awaited goal.
Reflecting on my hiking experience, I realize that the principles I use in project management are quite similar. Just as we needed a clear path and proper guidance to reach Balanced Rock, project teams need structure and direction to achieve their goals. Here are some key strategies I employ as a project manager to help teams with goal definition and realization:
Strategies for Goal Definition and Realization in Project Management
Clear Communication of Objectives I ensure all team members understand the project's objectives by clearly documenting the project's goals, rationale, and expected outcomes. Establishing these elements early in the project aligns the team's efforts and ensures everyone is working towards the same objectives. Typically, I document this information in a project charter that is accessible to all team members.
Stakeholder Engagement Engaging stakeholders is crucial for understanding their expectations and securing their buy-in. I facilitate stakeholder meetings and workshops to gather requirements, clarify expectations, and ensure goals align with stakeholders' needs. This engagement also helps in gaining the support and resources necessary for goal realization.
Developing a Detailed Plan I work with team members to create a detailed project plan that outlines the steps needed to achieve the goals. This includes breaking down the goals into manageable tasks, assigning responsibilities, setting deadlines, identifying dependencies, and establishing milestones, which are significant points in a project's timeline that mark the completion of a major phase or a key deliverable. A well-structured plan provides a roadmap for the team and helps in monitoring progress.
Monitoring and Adjusting Continuous monitoring of the project's progress is essential to ensure that the goals are being met. By regularly reviewing the status of project tasks with the project team, performance against the plan can be measured, deviations identified, and adjustments made. This proactive approach helps address issues early and keeps the project on track toward achieving its goals.
By incorporating these strategies, project managers can effectively guide their teams toward successfully achieving their objectives, much like navigating a trail to reach a long-awaited destination.
