Not everything goes right....at first
Why quality project management makes a huge difference.
When NET was awarded the large-scale, multiple-night onsite, rollout from one of our biggest customers, we knew it was a fast and furious start to meet the completion deadline. There were ~400 sites and they needed them done ASAP for the customer to maximize their ROI.
Critical Reasons Why Quality Project Management is Important
It was very apparent after the first few sites; the scope was undefined and there were a lot of loose ends to tie up with no project management on the customer side. That said, it was a rough and rocky start to the project for the first couple of weeks. Anyone knows in the project management world, once you fall behind, it’s so difficult to get ahead.
So, what we did was modify the schedule and called a timeout for 3 days. During that time, the dedicated PM and the 24x7 support team regrouped and drafted an accurate scope of work and swiftly got it in front of the customer for stakeholders' buy-in and approval. All the time they planned and scheduled the duration of the project while creating a new technical playbook to disburse to our techs in the field.
NET believes there are some main reasons why project management is so important. Below are a few:
1. Strategic Alignment
This is where we align the goals of the project to match the goals of the customer. It ensures the right thing is being delivered, risks are identified and mitigated, and ROI is being achieved.
2. Leadership
Project Management brings leadership and direction to the project. Without it, the team is like being on a boat with no captain. We believe the best project managers not only remove known and unknown roadblocks but provide leadership, motivation, and coaching for the team.
3. Clear Focus
Rather than leaving the project management to the team to ‘figure out as they go’ the PM provides focus and clear objectives for the team. They all know what they’re doing and why. The foresight into the project by the PM enables the team to focus on the tasks and objectives.
4. Realistic Planning
Without Project Management, a proper plan, and a budget, a realistic timeline isn’t feasible. Effective PMs create clear processes with achievable deadlines that allows the team to work within reasonable expectations.
5. Subject Matter Experts
With years of experience under the Project Manager’s belt, they begin to know a little about a lot of things. Moreso, they know who to call and what to do to find out all the details needed to properly plan and execute a project. This is for both technical and practical skills alike.
6. Quality Control
This is a crucial part of Project Management because quality is what we’re delivering. Having a dedicated PM, as we do for every project, ensures we have the time and resources to deliver the outcome with quality results.
7. Closure
It is equally important to close a project as it is to manage one. Particularly the lessons learned portion of the closure. This is important to gather all the information of what went right, as to repeat it; and what went wrong, as to learn for next time.
Proven Project Management Speaks For Itself
With expert project management making the decision to pause, regroup, and collaborate for 3 short days, we were able to save countless dollars and days of wasted time and return trips. The project was back on track within 6 days and completed on time and under budget. Because of this, NET was awarded 5 more consecutive years of the project execution.
"I have had the privilege of working with NET as my service vendor, for the majority of our service domestically... I appreciated NET’s ability to respond on a same day or next day request; and when a situation took place with third party product, NET was there to help support NEC Display in every possible way. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend NET to any other LCD vendor, who is looking for a service or onsite support, as well as seek NET services on any future service support needed."
- Client
