Keep Your Teams Small

Fundamental to making better margins is keeping your team as small as possible. The more moving parts your design “engine” (team) has, the more complicated the communications, coordination, and collaboration.

For example, Mary and Sam are both assigned to your project to the tune of 10-20 hours per week. They perform similar duties. That means you now need to constantly communicate with both of them to be sure they are coordinating their work and using a consistent approach. And when you find (as you invariably will), that the coordination and consistency isn’t what you want it to be, the next step is rework, that nasty activity of re-doing something that should have been done correctly the first time.

The way to minimize this problem is by keeping your teams as small as possible. Even if using a smaller team means authorizing paid overtime. Even if you have to pay time-and-a-half. That premium payment will pale in comparison to the price paid for re-work. And don’t get too hung up on getting people with the specific experience level for each assignment. Even if you have to pay a higher hourly rate for a more experienced person, you will be better off in the end.

As long as they have the basic skills and are motivated to do a good job, you are much better off with fewer people.

To learn more tips and techniques you can use to become a better and more successful project manager, come to one of PSMJ’s upcoming Project Management Bootcamps!

PSMJ’s Project Management Bootcamp is a revolutionary training seminar like no other--through interactive case-studies, real-world examples, and proven solutions, you will foster innovation, elevate communications, increase productivity, and improve your firm's bottom line. Click here to register or call PSMJ Education Department at (800) 537-7765.