Transforming Projects Through People: A Guide to Engaging Your Team

Project management is much more than controlling a schedule and budget. Great project managers know how to initiate and plan projects, and manage the team as they execute the plans, keep things under control, manage change, and bring the project to completion.

Inspired by Kotter’s 8-step change model, we believe a full team’s involvement in a project is essential for success. You can create excitement and collaboration throughout the project’s lifecycle by fostering a sense of urgency, building a shared vision, and empowering every employee.

Let’s explore how to bring your team along for the ride and turn your next project into a resounding success.

Step 1: Everyone on board

Getting everyone invested in a project from the outset is crucial for its success. Here’s how to do it:

• Build excitement: A project naming contest is just the beginning. Create opportunities for employees to share their ideas and contribute to the project’s vision from the very start. Take time during staff and team meetings to discuss the project and bring out the colorful Post-its to capture all the great ideas shared!
• Transparent communication: Use all available channels to keep employees informed about project progress, goals, and timelines. Share updates regularly and encourage questions to get a consistent pulse on how the entire team is feeling about the state of the project.
• Highlight the human impact: While technology, data, process improvement, etc. may be at the core of the project, emphasize how it will improve people’s day-to-day work. Use storytelling to connect the project to employees’ daily experiences.
• Active listening: Create forums for employees to share their thoughts and concerns. Demonstrate that their input is valued by incorporating their feedback into the project.
• Foster a sense of ownership: Make employees feel like they are part of the project team, not just passive recipients of change. Designating tasks, providing decision-making opportunities, and collective problem-solving engage people, knowing they are an integral part of the team.

Step 2: Knowledge sharing, with a twist

Making learning engaging and effective is key to successful change management. Some ideas your team can use are:

• Interactive learning experiences: Incorporate elements like quizzes, polls, and group discussions into your training sessions to keep learners engaged.
• Gamification: Turn training into a game with challenges, rewards, and leaderboards to foster friendly competition and motivation.
• Microlearning: Break down complex topics into smaller, easily digestible chunks. Offer bite-sized learning modules that employees can access at their convenience.
• Visual learning: Utilize infographics, videos, and interactive demos to enhance understanding and retention.
• Peer-to-peer learning: Encourage knowledge sharing among employees through mentoring, buddy systems, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
• Celebrate learning achievements: Recognize and reward employees for completing training modules or demonstrating new skills.

Step 3: Celebrate success together

Celebrating milestones and achievements is essential for boosting morale and creating a positive work environment. Let’s explore some celebration ideas:

• Public recognition: Highlight employee contributions and successes in company newsletters, emails, or social media.
• Team-building events: Organize activities and/or treats to celebrate project milestones and foster camaraderie.
• Personalized rewards: Offer tailored rewards based on individual preferences, such as gift cards, extra time off, or professional development opportunities.
• Create a celebration culture: Make celebrating a regular part of your company culture by incorporating it into daily routines or weekly meetings.

By taking some inspiration from these steps, you can transform your next project into a collaborative and rewarding experience for everyone. Remember, it’s not just about the project; it’s about the people behind it. By fostering a culture of engagement, you’ll not only achieve project success but also strengthen your team and build a more positive work environment.

We’ve Got You Covered

Imagine a project where:

• Every team member feels valued and engaged.
• Goals are achieved on time and within budget.
• The highest quality standards are consistently met.

JCA can help you make this vision a reality. Our Project Management Center (PMC) is a unique approach designed to deliver exceptional project outcomes. We’re committed to fostering a collaborative environment where everyone feels empowered and invested in the success of the project.

Read more about our project management services or contact us to learn more about how JCA can transform your next project.