Kickstart Your Digital Project Like a Pro: 5 Steps to Success
New to digital project management? These five crucial steps will help you launch your project like a seasoned pro.
So, you've just stepped into the exciting world of digital project management—congrats! It's a thrilling journey, filled with challenges, but also plenty of rewards.
Whether you're tasked with building a sleek website, developing an intuitive mobile app, or crafting a compelling video, how you start can determine how smoothly your project will run. But don't worry—I'm here to guide you through it. With nearly 20 years of experience under my belt, I've learned a thing or two about kicking off projects the right way.
Let’s jump into the five essential steps to get your project off to a fantastic start.
1. Define the Project Objectives with Your Client and Senior Stakeholders
Before you dive headfirst into planning, pause. Take a moment to ensure that everyone involved knows exactly what the project is aiming to achieve. This is where you sit down with your client and senior stakeholders to pin down the project objectives.
Ask the tough questions: What’s the ultimate goal? Who’s the target audience? How will you measure success?
Get everyone aligned: This initial clarity isn’t just a formality—it’s your project’s foundation. If everyone’s not on the same page now, you’re setting yourself up for problems and rework later.
Imagine trying to assemble a puzzle without knowing what the finished picture should look like. Defining your objectives is like getting that picture clear in everyone’s mind.
2. Plan and Scope the Project with the Whole Team
With your objectives set, it’s time to bring in your team—the people who will turn ideas into reality. This is your opportunity to get everyone involved in the planning process.
Collaborate, don’t dictate: Your team has insights and expertise that are invaluable. Encourage them to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and identify potential roadblocks.
Set milestones: Break the project into phases, each with its own goals and deadlines. This not only keeps things manageable but also provides checkpoints to assess progress.
Anticipate challenges: It’s not just about assigning tasks; it’s about foreseeing where things might go awry. By planning for these, you’re building flexibility into your project.
Think of this as plotting a course on a map. You know where you’re going, but now you need to figure out the best way to get there—and make sure everyone knows the route.
3. Agree on Everyone’s Hours and Book in Their Time
Now that you have a plan, the next crucial step is ensuring your team has the time to execute it. This might seem straightforward, but it’s often more complex than it appears.
Clarify availability: Don’t assume your team is free when you need them. Confirm their hours upfront but working with your resource manager and checking out the schedule.
Lock it in: Schedule their time and make it official. This prevents last-minute chaos and ensures everyone is on board.
Be ready to adapt: Schedules change, people get sick, priorities shift. Build some flexibility into your timeline to account for these inevitabilities.
4. Create an Airtight Scope of Work and Walk the Client Through It
Here’s where you prevent one of the biggest project pitfalls: scope creep. By creating a clear, detailed scope of work (SOW), you lay down exactly what’s included in the project—and just as importantly, what’s not.
Detail is your friend: The more specific your SOW, the fewer misunderstandings you’ll face later.
Communicate thoroughly: Go through the SOW with your client line by line. Make sure they understand every aspect.
Secure approval: Get their sign-off before you move forward. This isn’t just a formality; it’s a crucial step in protecting your project’s boundaries.
Think of the SOW as a contract, but also as a map—it outlines the journey, the stops along the way, and where you won’t be going.
5. Document All Possible Risks (Tip: It's Usually the IT Bits That Cause Delays)
Finally, let’s talk about risks. Every project has them, but the key is identifying them before they derail your progress. And in digital projects, the technical components are often the most unpredictable.
Identify risks early: Make a list of potential issues—from server downtime to integration problems—and consider how they might impact your timeline.
Plan contingencies: For each risk, have a backup plan. This keeps you from scrambling if (or when) something goes wrong.
Keep it updated: As the project progresses, new risks can emerge. Stay on top of them by revisiting your risk log regularly.
Think of this step like packing for a trip—you hope you won’t need that extra jacket, but if the weather turns, you’ll be glad you brought it.
Wrapping It Up
Starting a digital project doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these five steps—defining objectives, planning with your team, securing everyone’s time, crafting a clear scope of work, and documenting risks—you’re setting yourself up for a smooth and successful journey.
Remember, the beginning of a project is all about laying the groundwork. With these tips, you’ll not only launch your project successfully but also position yourself as a rising star in your agency. You’re ready—now go make it happen!