The acronym C.A.S.T. was developed to help you tackle all the projects all year long with a systematic approach. Each letter signifies a different element to help you stay focused on your project goals.

T – stand for teach your team to work as one. If you have team members that do not work together that will make your projects less productive.

• When a team works as one, you will find that there exists a harmony. This harmony will keep your team focused on the main goal, which producing quality work.
• It is important to communicate with your team and let them know precisely what is expected. All too often miscommunication occurs which will lead to less productivity.
• When gathering a team it is best to find members that can work together and will aid in the project management’s success. Do not be afraid to dismiss a team member that is not willing to work as a team, this is imperative to the team working as one unit.
• Motivation is essential. You must stay motivated and your team will sense it and strive to be just as motivated.

Try applying the C.A.S.T. system to your project goals this New Year. You will find that your projects will be completed in a timely fashion with less stress on your part and a successful team that works together. Begin the New Year on a positive note with projects planned and a team that is focused. Although it may not be easy at first glance the C.A.S.T. system when applied efficiently will in turn produce quality work in less time.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Project Management and the New Year, part 5

S – Stay focused and control your risk factors. There are many risk factors that can impede a project and staying focused will prevent this from occurring.

• In order to stay focused you must determine and identify the project that is to be completed. This must then be revealed to your team, which will enable everyone to be focused.
• How do you control your risk factors? This is not difficult if you are aware of the possible factors and have a systemic plan in place. It is important to keep the lines of communication open if you are working with a team. The project is one of importance and communicating the importance level to your team is quite significant.
• Apply sub goals to your project management focus. You must have an ultimate goal to achieve, but by applying sub goals your team will remain focused. After each sub goal is completed a sense of accomplishment will ensue which will in turn keep your team eager to get to the next level.

Controlling risk factors may seem difficult at first, but once a plan is determined it will not be difficult at all. Remember that your team will feed off of your insecurities. You must remain focused in order for them to follow. Keeping your focus on the project at hand will not only ensure that each task will be accomplished but all the goals will be completed in the time manner that you have scheduled. Your ultimate goal is to have a team that works well together but most importantly gets the projects completed. Applying the tips shared thus far using the C.A.S.T. system, will give you and your team a clear vision and simplify the tasks and projects ahead.

Image credit: Kim Beasley (creator) using an icon from http://Softpedia.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Project Management and the New Year, part 4

A – stands for Always keep your project’s scope in mind. Although it may seem mundane that we must keep the scope of our project in mind it is absolutely necessary. In order to be productive and efficient with the project we have planned the scope must be identified. Once the scope is identified and determined the work can be then tackled and you and your team will be on the same page. Below are a few tips to help guide you and your team into staying within your project’s scope.

• Using a project management system will help you determine your scope or task and will keep you focused.
• Determining the scope will enable you and your team to focus on the project and not get distracted.
• Communication is important when trying to maintain the focus on the scope of your project. You are your team must be on the same page and all desire the ultimate goal of completing the task efficiently.

Unfortunately it is very easy to get distracted but with a project management system in order, the distractions will be few if at all. The scope is something that must be kept in highest of priorities. Only then will your project be a success and you and your team will work together as a unit and not as individuals that are easily distracted. Keeping a chart or log of the tasks that must be accomplished is imperative to the success of your project.

This will not only keep you focused on the purpose or scope but it will keep your team motivated to remain focused as well.

When you avoid distractions you and your team will work in harmony and you will find that the projects will be completed with less stress. Efficiency is the ultimate goal in project management and keeping your project’s scope in the forefront is imperative to achieving success.

Image credit: Kim Beasley (creator) using an icon from http://Softpedia.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Project Management and the New Year, part 3

C - stands for Control of your project’s time line. That sounds easy enough but how do you apply it to your team and your work? Below is a quick list of things to keep in mind when keeping control of your projects.

• It is important to control your time line, which can be done by developing a schedule. Using a schedule will keep you and your team on the same page and working towards the same goal.
• Using a project management system will simplify this task for you. A project management system will help to keep you and your team focused on the project at hand. It is very easy to get distracted and begin a project or tasks, only to realize later there is a deadline that must be met and you are not prepared.
• It is not easy to accomplish tasks or projects on your own, but with a team and a project management system the tasks will be accomplished more efficiently.
• Setting a goal and listing what will need to be accomplished to satisfy that goal is very important. More importantly is sharing this goal and list with your team. By sharing your project goals with your team, projects and task can be accomplished at a quicker pace with less stress.
• Sticking to a time line is extremely important and following the C.A.S.T. system will enable you to get your projects accomplished.
• As the team leader or person in charge of the project team it is your responsibility to set a time line for all to follow.

You will find with a bit of organization and time management your projects will be attended to and completed in a timely fashion. Controlling the project’s time line is one goal to strive for this coming year and the stress will be replaced with projects and a more organized team. Apply the acronym C.A.S.T. to your resolution list for the coming year and apply it to all your projects. You will find your time is better managed and tasks will be easier to finish. Be sure to watch for the next post to this series, where we will discuss always keeping you project’s scope in mind.

Image credit: Kim Beasley (creator) using an icon from http://Softpedia.com

Post from: EveryJoe

Project Management and the New Year, part 2