Publication number: ELQ-72417-1
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How to work in Project Mode
Discover how to work in project mode
Introduction
You’ve probably already heard of it. Companies are increasingly often choosing to work in project mode. This work method entails numerous advantages. It notably removes organizational barriers by encouraging teamwork in the company and reducing or even eliminating a hierarchy that allows for more flexibility and reactivity.
Could you also see yourself adopting project mode? Follow this guide.
What does ‘working in project mode’ mean?
Working in project mode encourages the collaboration of employees from different professions or different services working on the same project. The focus is on achieving a common goal within a given budget and timeframe, not simply carrying out department-specific activities.
It is, therefore, necessary to unite groups from different or complementary professional backgrounds, competences, qualifications, and experiences, to carry out a project from A to Z. They may come from internal departments in the company or from external companies. These people constitute the project’s team.
For support and guidance, they can count on their project leader. Acting more as a leader than a manager, the project leader motivates their team to follow a unified vision and objectives. Like an orchestra conductor, they watch over the execution of the project whilst listening to their collaborators, setting an example and not hesitating to delegate responsibility. In short, the team leader is certainly not the stereotypical manager, hidden away in their office, working on undisclosed tasks.
For example, if you have a project to build a house, you need other people:
• An architect, to draw the plans of the house,
• A bricklayer, to build the walls,
• An electrician,
• A plumber,
• A handyman, to fit the windows and doors,
• A carpenter and a roofer for the roof,
• A plasterer,
• Etc.
As the project manager, you need to manage, organize and coordinate the teams, the project plan, and the different tasks in order to be able to build a solid house whilst also respecting the budget and deadline you have set for yourself.
What are the advantages of this way of working?
This work strategy has become popular due to its numerous advantages:
• Breaking away from the traditional organizational pyramid,
• A better work organization,
• The decompartmentalization of services,
• A global overview of the projects and a detailed calendar,
• Improved communication and collaboration between different services,
• Improved information sharing,
• Employee empowerment,
• A better distribution of workload,
• The acquisition of new skills,
• The creation of a cohesive team.
- Step n°1 |
1) Define a clear vision and precise objectives
To begin with, you should determine the specific details of your project. It is important that the project leader and their team possess all the necessary information to manage the project efficiently.
All the essential data to carry out the project should, therefore, be centralized in the project brief. Notably, you will find:
• The context,
• The issues,
• Objectives,
• Budget,
• Resources and skills needed,
• Project schedule,
• Limitations and potential risks.
This information is invaluable in order for the project to progress smoothly whilst also giving the team an overview of the progress.
- Step n°2 |
2) Establish the roles and responsibilities of each person
In order to carry out your project, you need a qualified team that possesses the necessary skills to accomplish the various tasks.
Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member. Who is in charge of managing the budget? Which team member is keeping an eye on the deadline? Ensure this information is easily accessible for every person involved in the project.
