Being a TPM at New Organization

Photo by Marvin Meyer on Unsplash

We are eliminating your position, thank you for your contributions to the organization”. That is how it went for me and many other colleagues more than a month ago. Looking for a new job is exhausting, frustrating and time consuming. If you are lucky enough, you’ll find a new role relatively soon, or eventually if the market and the “stars” are not your side. Candidate selection is a subjective process.

Once you find a new job as Project Manager or Program Manager, you’ll be working with new people, different backgrounds, objectives, mindsets and organizational structure. Adapting to this new environment is necessary to the success of the objectives and key results that your projects and programs are aligned to.

Here are some areas to consider when joining a new team or organization to successfully perform your role and add value:

• Understand the Project Scope: Begin by thoroughly understanding the project scope, objectives, and requirements. Familiarize yourself with the project plan and any existing documentation. Clarify any doubts you may have with the stakeholders and previous project managers, if applicable.
• Build Relationships: Take the time to get to know your team members, stakeholders, and other key individuals involved in the project. Building strong relationships is essential for effective communication and collaboration.
• Establish Clear Communication Channels: Set up regular meetings and communication channels to keep everyone informed about project progress, challenges, and changes. Encourage open and transparent communication, and be receptive to feedback and suggestions.
• Define Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of team members. Ensure that everyone understands their tasks and how they contribute to the overall project success. This clarity helps prevent confusion and ensures accountability.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Be realistic about project timelines, deliverables, and resource constraints. Avoid overpromising and underdelivering, as this can lead to dissatisfaction among stakeholders
• Identify Risks and Mitigation Strategies: Work with your team to identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies. Being proactive about risk management can help prevent issues from escalating into major problems.
• Foster a Collaborative Environment: Encourage collaboration among team members and promote a positive work culture. Celebrate achievements and recognize individual contributions to boost morale.
• Empower and Delegate: Trust your team members and empower them to make decisions within their areas of expertise. Delegate tasks based on individual strengths and encourage professional growth.
• Be Adaptable: Projects can be dynamic and may require adjustments along the way. Be flexible and adaptable in your approach to handle unforeseen challenges effectively.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate leadership qualities by being reliable, accountable, and supportive. Your team will look up to you for guidance, so set a positive example through your actions.
• Learn from Past Projects: If there were previous iterations of the project, review what worked well and what didn’t. Learn from past mistakes and successes to improve the current project’s outcomes.
• Stay Organized: Use project management tools and techniques to stay organized. Keep track of progress, deadlines, and milestones to ensure the project stays on track.
• Continuously Improve: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement. Regularly assess the project’s progress and performance, and identify areas for enhancement.
• Seek Support and Training: If you’re new to project management or face specific challenges, don’t hesitate to seek support from mentors, colleagues, or external training programs.
• Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate the achievement of project milestones and acknowledge the efforts of your team. This helps maintain motivation and reinforces a sense of progress.

This list could go on or be shorten. You don’t have to focus on everything at once, you can tackle the areas that make most sense to you and the organization. Knowing all the nuts and bolts takes time.