Frame the project to unite the team

The kick-off phase is essential to the success of a project, and the most important step in avoiding the many pitfalls. During this period, you need to assemble a competent team that is above all complementary and MOTIVATED! Get to know the people involved in the project so you can find a way to motivate them and push them to their maximum output. Maslow’s theory is well represented in his pyramid. Now we’re going to see that theory is all well and good, but reality is quite different!

Once your team has been selected, you’ll now need to motivate them! The project presentation is the trigger for this motivation. Be as transparent as possible and give as many details about the project as possible. You need to present the objectives, define the different project milestones and their progression, with the different deliverables and, above all, the roles of everyone involved in making the project a success.

The project manager’s leadership role

The project team needs a leader whose role is to guide, direct and motivate the team towards success. The main qualities required of a leader are vision, self-confidence and trust in team members.

How to motivate and maintain a dynamic project team? You’ll need to create a climate of well-being and trust. In particular, by taking an interest in tasks and giving regular signs of recognition. You’ll need to listen and react quickly if there’s a conflict. The important thing is to settle everything positively, so as not to hold up the project. See conflict as an opportunity to make improvements and strengthen the bonds between project stakeholders.

Be exemplary and fair to avoid any discord. Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to empower your team members and make them aware of the project’s objectives.

There are many management theories, but among them there is one essential one. This is the 4C rule: clarity, consistency, confidence, courage.

Be clear, accessible, coherent, explainable, simple and transparent. You need to be easy to understand in your directives, and communication is your spearhead. Being consistent will enable you to create an orderly and efficient structure. Trust will be the bond of your project team. Finally, have the courage to take action.

The post-project period and team dissolution

Once the project is complete, don’t hesitate to organize meetings with the team and individual members. You’ll be able to collect global and personalized feedback on the different events and feelings during the project. Don’t forget to congratulate every member of the team if it’s a success, and to encourage them if the objectives have not been met.

The project team represents the whole issue of human resources management in a project. Be aware that it’s not an exact science, and that every project and every project team will bring its own share of stress, conflicts, surprises and so on. But you’ll come out of it better prepared to manage your teams in your next projects!