7 Steps To Completing A Project
Most people who read “How To” books or articles never act on the
ideas. Here are the steps you need to take to help get your dream
moving along.
A little planning and forethought can be a big help
in completing a project or in reaching any type of goal.
Now is the time to sit down and create a written
plan. Written plans have power, especially when you add deadlines for
completion to each step.
Here are 7 steps to help you get your project going
and bring it to a successful completion.
1. Determine the
scope of the project.
Step one is the hardest --determining what you want
to accomplish. What are the limits within which you will develop your
product?
There are two things I always ask a client when we
are beginning a new project: Who is your audience and what would you
like them to do after they view or listen to this program? Answers to
these two questions will go a long way to defining the scope and
structure of your product.
Have a picture in your mind and a vision of what the
product will look like and the feelings you will have when it is
complete.
2. Break the
project into manageable tasks.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you are starting
from scratch. This will help you avoid procrastination, and give you
positive feedback at the end of each step. The size of the tasks will
depend on your working style and the size of the available time slots.
3. Set Deadlines.
Deadlines are important, even if you have to modify
them as the project progresses. Goals are dreams with deadlines. If
you don’t have a deadline to get your product to market, you are just
daydreaming.
Set reasonable deadlines and make sure that you
don’t overlap deadlines when a given task depends on the completion of
a previous one.
4. Identify
roadblocks.
I find that if I get bogged down, have a creative
block, or am procrastinating, it’s often due to unresolved issues.
Upon analysis, the source of the problem is some part of the project
that I am uncomfortable with. Maybe I’m not sure how to explain a
certain topic; maybe the software I am recommending is about to be
replaced by something better; maybe there is an area I need to do much
more research on.
One of the first things you should do is to identify
these problem areas are and develop solutions so that you can move
ahead on the project. Get outside help if you need it or modify
your goals to work around the obstacles.
5. Get started.
One of my favorite quotes is from Goethe – “Whatever
you can do or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power and
magic in it.”
Many successful people design their marketing piece
first around the needs and wants of their targeted clients. Then they
create the product to fit what is promised in the marketing piece.
I find it helpful to do a mock-up of the product
early on. I keep it on my desk to keep me inspired when the going gets
tough.
6. Keep at it.
Set some time aside each day to work on your
project. Forward progress is what counts and it provides the positive
feedback to keep you going. Continue on down your list and celebrate
your milestones. Don’t be afraid of midcourse corrections if
necessary.
If you stay away from working on a project for too
long of a time, it gets harder and harder to get back to it.
7. Know when it’s done.
It’s
important to deliver value to your customers, but no product is ever
totally complete or perfect. There will always be changes in
technology that will date your product. A product that is almost done
has no value in the marketplace. So when you have met the major
objectives of your design, it’s time to wrap up the project and get it
marketed.
|
