First answer
There are many great details to love management a small project team. For starters, your projects are commonly shorter in duration and less complex, which means you have a well chance to make an impact. In addition, message and team-building often advance when you’re working with a small-knit team because there are fewer people to manage and direct.
Still, there are a number of different challenges that are single to small project teams. It helps to keep these subjects in mind and come up with original solutions when you’re leading and selling project work. Here’s a look at five common challenges, and how to explain them.
1. There are fewer specialized roles
Smaller project teams tend to have a broader level of skills in order …show more content…
Senior management gives you less attention
One of the unfortunate disadvantages of small project teams is that because they tend to work on smaller projects, they may often be less of a priority for senior management. The bigger projects tend to get all the attention because more is at stake. While it could be seen as a positive that senior management isn’t breathing down the neck of your team, it becomes a challenge when you need a quick decision from a stakeholder or some executive direction, and no one’s responding.
Try this: Project success is highly dependent on the project team having the backing of an engaged sponsor and a well-functioning steering committee, so it’s important that this challenge is addressed head on. You, along with your project manager, can do this by having a frank discussion at the first steering committee meeting, and come to an agreement on how much attention and support the team needs throughout the project’s lifecycle. It’s important that your small project team doesn’t take up more of senior management’s time than absolutely necessary. Steering committee meetings could be limited to 30 …show more content…
No one likes to work on a project that isn’t seen as important. Most people prefer to work on the big snazzy projects with a big budget and a big business case. It builds their skill set and resume, and makes them feel more important.
Try this: Spend time creating a strong unified team and ask for its members to be ring-fenced where at all possible. When a strong team spirit is created, people will enjoy coming to work, be more engaged and contribute their best effort to the project. Also, continue to highlight the importance of the project and remind the team and senior management of the project’s benefits so that resources aren’t taken from it. Smaller teams also have a purpose, but at times team members and stakeholders need to be reminded of it.
In summary, small teams have many advantages, but also some unique challenges. The biggest challenges relate to lack of topic matter expertise and specialization within the team, fewer people to delegate to, lack of attention from senior management and the risk of low morale as the project may be less critical and hold a lower budget. If you know what to expect and how to navigate these situations your team will thrive and do great
There are many great details to love management a small project team. For starters, your projects are commonly shorter in duration and less complex, which means you have a well chance to make an impact. In addition, message and team-building often advance when you’re working with a small-knit team because there are fewer people to manage and direct.
Still, there are a number of different challenges that are single to small project teams. It helps to keep these subjects in mind and come up with original solutions when you’re leading and selling project work. Here’s a look at five common challenges, and how to explain them.
1. There are fewer specialized roles
Smaller project teams tend to have a broader level of skills in order …show more content…
Senior management gives you less attention
One of the unfortunate disadvantages of small project teams is that because they tend to work on smaller projects, they may often be less of a priority for senior management. The bigger projects tend to get all the attention because more is at stake. While it could be seen as a positive that senior management isn’t breathing down the neck of your team, it becomes a challenge when you need a quick decision from a stakeholder or some executive direction, and no one’s responding.
Try this: Project success is highly dependent on the project team having the backing of an engaged sponsor and a well-functioning steering committee, so it’s important that this challenge is addressed head on. You, along with your project manager, can do this by having a frank discussion at the first steering committee meeting, and come to an agreement on how much attention and support the team needs throughout the project’s lifecycle. It’s important that your small project team doesn’t take up more of senior management’s time than absolutely necessary. Steering committee meetings could be limited to 30 …show more content…
No one likes to work on a project that isn’t seen as important. Most people prefer to work on the big snazzy projects with a big budget and a big business case. It builds their skill set and resume, and makes them feel more important.
Try this: Spend time creating a strong unified team and ask for its members to be ring-fenced where at all possible. When a strong team spirit is created, people will enjoy coming to work, be more engaged and contribute their best effort to the project. Also, continue to highlight the importance of the project and remind the team and senior management of the project’s benefits so that resources aren’t taken from it. Smaller teams also have a purpose, but at times team members and stakeholders need to be reminded of it.
In summary, small teams have many advantages, but also some unique challenges. The biggest challenges relate to lack of topic matter expertise and specialization within the team, fewer people to delegate to, lack of attention from senior management and the risk of low morale as the project may be less critical and hold a lower budget. If you know what to expect and how to navigate these situations your team will thrive and do great