Effective Team Leadership
By LaVere Williams

The ability to implement a project on time requires more than a team of analysts to build the application. It requires an effective team leader to facilitate the project.

Here are some suggestions for effective team leadership:

1. Understand the project.
   • Understand all changes from current process to future processes.
   • Identify the stakeholders you will have to influence and develop a plan to provide information and progress information to those stakeholders with any benefits identified.
   • Be aware of possible “Gotchas.” Putting time into the project for this reason will provide a “cushion” for you when the occasion arises. Consider how good you will look if that does not occur.
   • Be aware of other projects that intersect or may affect the outcome of your project. Plan for disruptions that other projects may cause.
   • Know the priority of your project. If your project has a lower priority than other projects that share the same stakeholders, you should identify items in your project that will raise awareness to a key stakeholder. Utilize that stakeholder to disseminate information and enthusiasm for your project.
2. Be excited about the project.
   • Enthusiasm is infectious. Be prepared to display an encouraging and positive attitude towards the project, regardless of any known risks.
   • Keep your team informed of issues, concerns and changes. They may have the answer that you need. Remember they are team members because of their overall knowledge and skills.
   • Request information and suggestions from your team. This will provide an atmosphere of a true “Team” as opposed to a “Dictatorship.”
   • Reward your team member’s accomplishments. Any gratification given is appreciated and encourages productivity.
3. Know your team members and their responsibilities.
   • Identify your strongest team members. These members will share your enthusiasm and drive. They will be able to pick up slack and motivate less productive team members
   • Utilize the knowledge of your team and their resources to identify tasks associated with the project.
4. Know project status at all times.
   • Maintain and update your plan daily.
   • Understand what is left to be done, not percentage of completion.
   • Communicate your plan progress to all those appropriate.
5. Complete projects in a timely manner.
   • If you keep your team productive, identify and resolve risks, task effectively and approve and record appropriate changes, your project will complete on time if not sooner.
   • Maintain follow-up and track any ROI after completion of the project to demonstrate the significance of that project and demonstrate continued enthusiasm.
6. CELEBRATE Completion of the project
   • INCLUDE ALL TEAM MEMBERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

For more helpful hints or information about our implementation and optimization teams, call our office at (610) 444-1233 or visit our website at www.getvitalized.com.