Question

IT project management

Being an experienced Project Manager how you will manage if Project Team Members are not working seriously. Discuss with some real example.

Answer 1

There are a few things that one can experiment with. One trick doesnt suit everybody so I am suggesting a few tips. Discuss with your Team members and share with them how they should involve themselves towards team tasks and goals and how they are valuable and their work affects the organisation as a whole. They should have a clear understanding of what's expected from them. Sometimes there is a lack of clarity on expectations. Give them regular feedback and discuss the gaps you think that are important to be fixed. Have one-one meetings with members, try to understand if there is anything that is bothering them or issues that are keeping them away from being dedicated towards work. Try to know their career ambitions and allocate them work according to their strengths and likings. Appreciate members for a job well done. Sometimes, lack of motivation is the cause. Give them opportunities to learn and grow within the organisation. Provide them with proper resources and training to excel in their role. Show that you care about their life and goals and enhance their well being.

I came across an employee who had been with the company for about 12 years. He had spent a long time in the company and knew a lot many senior guys in the company. I observed his way of working.  He didnt involve himself much in the tasks at hand and would do only the part he was specifically assigned. But he did everything perfectly. When I had a one-one conversation with him he told he had been working on the same technologies from the past many years and there were not many challenges in the job and he didnt have much learnings in the job for a while. I personally inquired if he wanted to learn any particular skill and if he needed some training or resources. He was on the DBA role and had interested in Data Engineering tasks and wanted to transition to a more data science specific role. So, together with the job I sanctioned him to undergo certifications of his likings. This improved not just our relationship but also his dedication towards his current tasks and his experience helped us in taking a lot of right decisions in the data handling side.