Organize A Project With Five Easy Steps

Nancy Clark

I’m not going to try to guess what type of project you’re wrestling with. Do you have more than one? You probably do. Today, I’ll talk about a way to organize—and simplify—a project that doesn’t involve managing other employees. The Group Project will be covered as another topic.

Think of 1 project you want to do. What if I said to you, “Right now, write a list of what needs to be done to perform this project beautifully?” Would you sit in front of your computer with your fingers paralyzed, perched over the keys? If so, you may have the Perfectionist’s Dilemma—you may be expecting to see a neat, perfectly arranged document appearing on your screen. Don’t worry—in this case, you’re normal.

Wouldn’t you feel better if I directed you to type up a very rough draft of what needs to be done? And I’d promise that no one else will be able to look at it. Is the paralysis gone? And wouldn’t all this be more doable if I gave you Five Easy Steps to follow? Good! Here are the Five Easy Steps.

1. Define the Goal – What’s the end product you want to achieve? What’s the goal date? Give yourself a little leeway by establishing an Almost Goal Date. This is the date you’ll aim for—knowing you’ll have a few extra days for polishing or basking in your early success.

2. Outline the Big Steps — Leave space below each one for step # 3. Put an End Date on each of the Big Steps.

3. Outline the Little Steps that are contained in each of the Big Steps above.

4. Keep a Running File on everything. Save information in computer files or paper files in case you’ll be doing a similar project another time, or in case you want to document your success in the workplace. Yes, you do want to do that!

5. Put the Next Step on your To-Do List each day. Refer to my tips on writing your To-Do List. Remember each one has an action included.

Tip of the Week:

You know that Running File I mentioned as part of #4 above? Well, you can use that for 2 purposes that will benefit you in the long run. First, you may need to do this same project another time. Of course, it will be because people realized you did such a great job the first time! Think about how much easier it will be the second time. You’ll have your outline, timeline, and the necessary backup materials in your Running File for that project. Easy! Now the second reason is that you may want look forward to the day that you can give—ah, delegate—this project to someone else. That’s what leaders do! And leaders also have a responsibility to see that their delegates are organized and productive. Well, you’ve already performed a big part of your future responsibility.

Doesn’t that make you think leaders have it easy? I hope you get the opportunity to see that it’s true!

careers, Jobs Indonesia, Indonesia Vacancy