How to avoid the project death march

Sometimes applying an unreasonable deadline to your project only ensures that you’ll be dead by the time you reach the line.

Here are some tips on how to ensure that you stay healthy and happy while completing your project:

1. If the project is really important, then it’s worth taking the time to complete it well – Of course we all want to finish things as quickly as possible, but applying an unrealistic deadline doesn’t ensure that your project gets the attention it deserves. On the contrary, it encourages shortcuts and corner-cutting.
2. Projects that are genuinely innovative are exciting – If you’re working with new technologies or a new approach to an aspect of your business, then take advantage of the excitement and enthusiasm this generates. Allow your team to engage with the project, take ownership and to contribute positively to it. You’d be amazed how often a team is able to exceed the targets when they’re given the room and time to approach it properly.
3. Remember that burning yourself and your team out doesn’t help anybody in the long run – Sure in the countdown to a deadline you may need to go above and beyond, but making that a requirement of your business culture just means that each member of your team will be able to contribute less and less as time goes on. Burnout leads to poor decisions and poor performance.
4. Don’t shortchange your testing – Too often people look to shave dollars and days from the cost of a project by trimming their testing and QA time. This almost never works out well, with clients becoming frustrated because things don’t work and the project team frustrated because they never got a fair chance to check everything properly. Budget accordingly for your testing and revisions, everyone will be a lot happier.
5. Have fun – It doesn’t matter what the nature of your project is, having a positive and enthusiastic attitude has a significant influence on those around you. Enjoy your work and show your team that you appreciate their efforts too. It’s a lot easier to go above and beyond when you feel valued and that the project you’re working on is fun.

In the modern business world time may be the most valued commodity of all. But when something is so highly valued spending less doesn’t always mean that you’re getting the best outcome. Often it is worth investing a little more upfront in order to save a lot more later on.