Running a project team using the PRINCE2 methodology lets you carry out slick, professional pieces of work each and every time. Yet, you need to be wary of potential dangers such as your team burning out due to working too hard.
This is especially vital if your team is filled with hard-working, ambitious project workers who work long hours. How can you make sure that they stay fresh and motivated even after a series of tough projects?
Don’t Take on More Than You Can Handle
If you are the person who decides which projects to take or reject then you should be careful to avoid taking on more than the team can handle. If you do this then you will soon all be under pressure to work longer and harder.
This is why it is so important to appreciate what your team can and can’t do. If you don’t know their skills and work capacity then it is going to be very difficult for you to know exactly how much work to take on at any given time.
At first, it is best to be safe and take on less then you think they can handle on their first projects. You can then ramp it up as you get a clearer view of their ability.
Plan Wisely
Planning ahead is a huge element of PRINCE2 projects. A lot of emphasis is placed on getting a solid plan in place and ready to use.
If you do this then it will help you to manage your team more efficiently. You won’t put them under as much pressure if you know exactly what needs done and when.
This is just one of the reasons why it pays to put a lot of attention into your plans. If you don’t do this then you could end up putting the whole team under unnecessary strain until it is all over.
Take Advantage of Quiet Spells
Every project team gets some quiet spells. This is typically when one project ends and the next one isn’t ready to start on yet. It could also be when you get ahead of the plan and can afford to wait before moving on.
These spells are a wonderful opportunity for letting everyone relax. Maybe you will encourage your team members to take some days off or to go on their PRINCE2 Course Leeds or to get trained on some other valuable project skills.
You could also arrange a fun activity such an away day during these quiet days as well. All in all, if you take advantage of them then you can hope to see everyone go back to work after the break feeling refreshed and ready to go again.
Don’t Ask People to Do More Than Is Sensible
When the pressure is on it can be tempting to shift it onto your project team. This can mean asking them to do far more than is sensible, though. Some people will happily keep on taking more and more work but will eventually burn out.
If you are leading a PRINCE2 team then a big part of that role is to stop the staff on it from being put under too much strain. You need to protect them from excessive workloads and not dump too much on during tough times.
Of course, you should also keep an eye out for anyone who takes on too much to help out their colleagues. This is a great attitude to have but everyone has their limit and you need to make sure that no one in your team goes beyond theirs.
