Some issues are bound to arise during any project’s execution. There can be a couple of reasons for it, most of the time an issue arises due to a conflict between one or more team members. According to statistics, the reason behind 70% of the problems is conflict.

One of the main focus, you must address, that all projects according to project policy (Rules).

What is Problem Solving?

If you are facing any difficulty during the project, then you must utilize some tools, template or other technology for solving this problem. Problem either arise during change management, initiating or closure stage of project life-cycle, it is very important to solve that particular problem as soon as possible.

  1. Resource capacity planning techniques

Now that I think about it, it is probably true. You see, when various minds are responsible for a task, some uncertainty is bound to arise. Every person these days holds a fragile ego and opinion, you can’t change it.

However, what you can do is learn to resolve these problems not only as a Project Manager but also as a team member. That’s the need of the hour.

Problem Solving Techniques

Quick Overview:

  1. Make sure the project manager use the right Framework for solving a particular problem
  2. Testing the proposed solution after the process is the most important part
  3. Nowadays, the project manager is using the latest technology for solving any problem during any project planned or on-going
  4. Use Brainstorming technique for a quick solution in any stage
  5. Again and again follow procedure, before getting the desired result
  6. Use better techniques in Agile Methodology

How to Resolve Non-Conflict Problems?

Let’s talk about the problems apart from the conflict issues. Suppose you were following a plan and everything was going smooth until suddenly it wasn’t. Perhaps, your stakeholders changed their idea about the project or maybe one of the dependent parties sneaked away. Your project exists and it still needs the team, what do you do?

Well, the best thing to do before you initiate the project in the first place is the very old, very basic and very convenient method. I’m sure you’ve heard of the flowchart. In fact, I don’t think we appreciate it enough. Various models of productivity have existed for project managers for help at any stage.

Firstly, you can design your whole project using the flowchart. You may design every possibility and believe it to be a whole. But even after that, if you still end up with a non-expected situation and you don’t know how to go about it you can still design another flowchart for that problem.

Do you see? I don’t see a bad side to this method. For better understanding, look at this process flow:

Some Important Tips to Remember for Problem Solving for Project Managers and Project Team:

  1. Things get worse before they get better, so fuel forward to get to the real issue.
  2. Listen and acknowledge all the team members. If there is a conflict in process, show different paths to the same destination.
  3. Great minds do not think alike.
  4. Learn to agree to disagree.
  5. Respect each other’s opinions.

Affective Problem Solving Techniques That Help Project Managers:

Most problems arise due to selective amnesia. That sure sounds like a taunting statement because it is. The reason being, most people don’t realize they’re human beings and they can make mistakes. Some blogs, talking about practice techniques –other than creative.

People can be forgetful and the worst part is not accepting it. Either way, to reduce the chances of any problems related to forgetting or to ensure issue resolving. Following are some techniques:

Create Register: A register can be a hard copy register or an online portal that everyone has access to. This helps every employee to carefully and regularly update any modification and changes done for the project. Furthermore, every employee should be able to see the progress made by other employees and must report it.

This ensures effective communication and reduces the chance of any selective amnesia. *winks*

Log Issues: Every employee must also enter the time and date of any progress that’s made. People responsible for the modification, where and when did it took place. This also complements the previous technique.

Assign Actions: As a project manager, you must assign deadlines and tasks to your employees. This ensures productivity and helps to get the project going smoothly.

Monitor Progress: As a project manager you must be monitoring progress continuously. This helps you to take effective action when things go down. Also, you can escalate your progress properly when you know your business.

Also, learn to monitor your progress promptly. This helps to eliminate any uncertainty in case of any progress and saves the team from any future trouble.

Assess Impact: Promptly and quickly assess the impact of issues in case of any problem. This will help you to make useful and important decisions when it comes to solving a problem.

Approve Resolution: Be in charge of your decisions and when it comes to approving other people’s decisions about your project. This way you’re the one in charge and you won’t end up blaming other people if things go south.

Approve resolutions, take risks and be straight-forward about eliminating conflicts.

Strategic-For-Project-Managers

Why Do Projects Fail?

Many projects fail due to several reasons. The main reason is the conflict of the department like HR to Finance or other marketing departments. IT’s Manager Responsibility to deal with all departments according to their roles and responsibilities.

Lack of Technology

Nowadays many managers are using different techniques like Excel Templates, Cloud-Base System, Project Portfolio, SRP System or other SAP-based systems for handling any type of difficulty during the project.

Related Topic: Alternatives MP for MAC

Communication GAP

Each department must give their input regarding the nature of the project, like Time-line and project schedule. If any department wants more time or HR resources, then provide or manage according to the situation.

Feedback to Stakeholders and Investors

Very important note, must inform all investors about project progress and take feedback from Stakeholders and investors.

Conclusion:

In summary, problems arise but it’s up to the Project Manager to fix those issues. Following are some of the techniques that Project Managers can use and it works effectively. But whatever works best for you is the key here.

Most of the times a conflict is a serious disagreement. As a project manager, the key to resolving this issue is to dispose of the cause or find a quick solution to the dispute. Otherwise, it may end up costing you your whole project and that’s never negotiable. Remember, a good Project Manager manages to complete his project one way or the other. The aim is not to get a perfect product but the real deal is being a perfectionist that gets you the next best thing.

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