The project management process is designed to make coordinating multiple roles from other professionals and stakeholders, tasks and workflows combine efficiently and effectively for development clients. However, managing different stakeholders, navigating potential risks and communicating across teams also leaves more room for errors and issues unless an experienced real estate consultancy is appointed. Preparing for these challenges and taking pre-emptive action can save time and mitigate financial losses for funders. Putting steps in place to manage people, processes and good lines of communication is vital to avoiding common mistakes.
At Naismiths, our experienced team of project management professionals take control of this process from inception to completion, liaising between contractors, planners, local authorities and on-site consultants, managing costs, quality and timeframes to deliver on time and on budget. Each plan is bespoke to suit our clients’ needs, no matter how large or complex the project is.
7 project management issues and how to solve them
1. Scope creep
Scope involves determining a list of specific project goals, your key deliverables and dates they need to be completed by, costs and team responsibilities. Sadly, it’s all too common for the project scope to be poorly defined from the outset, which impacts timings, confusion and communication further down the line. Once the requirements and objectives have been firmly established, schedules and tasks will flow more easily.
2. Lack of communication
Transparency and ready access to project information is key to a successful project, especially when stakeholders need to be appraised with all the relevant details. Miscommunication can result in scheduling conflicts and delays. Making sure everyone takes accountability for their part, using collaborative software, keeping a record of assignments and regular meetings with team leads can help to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Team conflicts
Conflicting schedules between teams can stop a project’s progress in its tracks but are easily avoided. With multiple tasks at play, work estimations, team holidays and even more considerations, there are bound to be clashes. Clear communication, task management and coordination can not only make the most of your resources but avoid overlapping timelines.
4. Unrealistic deadlines and expectations
Pressure from stakeholders can sometimes mean unrealistic timelines given the requirements of the project. However, inadequate time given to meet business goals can result in rushed and poor-quality work and ultimately an unfinished project that doesn’t meet expectations. Full transparency and voicing timeline concerns with relevant stakeholders before starting is the first step. From there, prioritising workload, tracking tasks against milestones and finalising deadlines are all principal steps in project management.
5. Changes to budget
Budgeting problems can be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. As deadlines begin to shift due to external influences which could include rising inflation and materials cost increases, budget management becomes even more important. Protecting the budget by taking into account external factors and forward planning correctly is a lot simpler when projects are managed effectively, and real-time data is available to everyone involved.
6. Poor risk management
Having an overview of risks that could impact the project and planning for a range of scenarios is an essential part of project management. Not everything can be planned for and it’s inevitable that obstacles will arise, but having a risk management strategy can help to mitigate the damage. This is where project managers are able to identify, evaluate and plan how to respond to risks before they occur.
7. Unsuitable skills and tools
It might be the case that more technical resources and support is required to oversee elements of the project to avoid delays and overcome challenges. In these scenarios, having a knowledgeable project management team acting in the interest of the developer and funder will ensure all the right questions are asked and support is allocated to ensure that the right skills and tools are being used to ensure the project targets are being achieved.
Contact Naismiths project management team today
Get in touch with our team of chartered surveyors and project managers today to discuss your project needs and get the help of our dedicated regional experts with local knowledge and national reach. We provide an unrivalled client experience for funders, developers and lenders alike, supported by director-led instruction and agile, reactive decision-making.