This article is part of Effició’s “Infrastructure First” series, where we share resources, tools, advice, and infrastructure changes you need to address without sacrificing your vision. In this installment, we address a common challenge: getting started on a project after planning it for some time.
Starting a project can be daunting, especially when you feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the next steps. Often, the issue lies not in the resources or tools at your disposal, but in the alignment of the project with your overall business goals. Here’s how to break through the stagnation and move forward with confidence.
Understanding Project Management in Small Business
Project Management Basics: Project management involves planning, organizing, managing, and implementing resources to achieve specific business goals and milestones. For small businesses, each project must align directly with your master goals. If your project is stalling, it may be because it isn’t fully integrated with these overarching objectives.
Aligning Projects with Business Goals: Before diving into any project, ensure that it is directly generated from your master goals, objectives, and milestones. Here’s how to ensure alignment:
- Review Your Master Goals: Start by confirming that your master goals, objectives, and milestones are current and reflective of your business’s needs.
- Differentiate Project vs. Operational Work: Determine whether your tasks require project work (long-term, resource-intensive) or operational work (short-term, less resource-intensive). This distinction will help you prioritize and focus on what truly matters.
Getting Unstuck: Key Questions to Ask
If you’re feeling stuck or directionless, it’s time to pause and reflect on the following questions:
- What are we doing?
- Why are we doing it?
- What should we be doing?
- What should we do next?
- What shouldn’t we be doing?
These questions can help clarify your intentions and realign your project with your master goals. If the project no longer seems relevant, it may be time to rework your goals or adjust the project’s scope to better serve your business’s current direction.
Moving Forward with Confidence
Sometimes, all it takes to get started is a renewed focus on your business’s core objectives. By ensuring that your project is a direct extension of your master goals, you can overcome the initial inertia and move forward with clarity and purpose.
If you’re still struggling to get started, consider revisiting your goals and objectives to ensure they’re driving the right projects. Remember, successful project management begins with alignment—and that starts with clear, actionable goals.
For more insights and actionable advice on project management and strategic alignment, attend our free executive briefing session. This session will provide you with the tools and strategies to optimize your approach and ensure your projects contribute meaningfully to your business’s success.
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