This week, I took on the role of project manager for the first time, and it was definitely a different experience being the person responsible for keeping everyone on track! I realised that being PM isn't about knowing everything that's going on, but about giving the team direction and being there when they need support. Here are my six biggest takeaways:
1) Start with Clarity
Before anyone gets stuck into the work, make sure everyone understands the goal and what they're responsible for. Spending a little extra time getting everyone aligned at the beginning can save a lot of confusion later.
2) Have a plan
User stories and wireframes were a lifesaver. When you're given a new client dataset, it's very easy to find a million different things you could investigate. Having user stories and wireframes gave the team a clear direction and stopped us from trying to solve every possible problem at once.
3) Be supportive
Being PM isn't just about assigning tasks and checking deadlines. Regularly check in with your team, ask how they're getting on and see if there's anything you can do to help. Sometimes removing one small blocker can make a big difference.
4) Prioritise
When you're working against the clock, not everything can be perfect. I learned to ask: what actually needs to be finished, and what would simply be nice to have? Knowing the difference helped us focus our time where it mattered most.
5) Expect the plan to change
Having a plan is important, but so is knowing when to change it. Some things will take longer than expected and unexpected problems will come up. Instead of panicking when we moved away from the original plan, I learned to reassess and focus on the best way forward.
6) Leave time for the finish
Don't underestimate how much time you need at the end. Bringing everything together, checking for consistency, preparing the presentation and practicing the delivery all take time. A clear stop on building gives the team the chance to properly finish what you've created.
Final thoughts
My first time as PM taught me that you don't need everything to go exactly to plan for a project to go well. Give the team clarity, have a direction, support each other and be ready to adapt when things change.
Definitely a learning experience and one I'd hope to happily take on again!