Project Management at Synergo Group

Project Management Strategies:

Question 1: What strategies do you employ to ensure effective communication within your project teams?

• Project Manager 1: “I always take risks. There is no reward without a little risk. I also encourage people to take ownership of their work. I make sure I am listening to the team. Feedback both communicated to me and between team members helps me get a better understanding of the team dynamic and how I can help facilitate a better working environment.”
• Project Manager 2: “I use scrum ceremonies and keep two chats going for a project at once. One chat includes all members of the team (for technical discussions), minus the client, and the other chat includes the client. This way, we can keep all team members informed on everything going on, without having the client be overwhelmed by ‘shop talk’.”
• Project Manager 3: “We hold regular team meetings to update each other on progress and challenges. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of each team member’s role in the project’s success.”

Question 2: Can you share an example of a project where effective communication significantly contributed to its success?

• Project Manager 1: “In a sports travel project, regular demos and transparent communication with the client helped build trust and ensure the project aligned with their expectations.”
• Project Manager 2: “In the real estate project, we use daily meetings to sync with the team, planning sessions with the product owner, demos and retrospectives.”
• Project Manager 3: “Paying close attention to the client’s mood, verbal and non-verbal cues, and open communication were pivotal in ensuring client satisfaction throughout the project.”

Project Management Advice:

Question 3: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their journey as a project manager?

• Project Manager 1: “Always take risks. There is no reward without a little risk. Encourage people to take ownership of their work. This makes them accountable and far more likely to find the best solutions. Make sure you are listening to the team and use feedback … a lot.  Ensure that the clients needs are in line with their wants – making sure we are all in line with the scope of the project. If a client is too ‘enthusiastic’ or involved – it can lead to an ever changing scope thus creating confusions within the team. Celebrate wins.“
• Project Manager 2 “Ensure a detailed specifications/design plan at the beginning of the project (scope, budget, timeline need to be clear). Set processes and make sure everyone knows and follows them. Make sure to track the change requests during the development phase and keep the client/product owner informed about it. Also be actively involved in the project during the SDLC to identify and mitigate the risks.”
• Project Manager 3: “Genuinely help the client and ensure their idea can be monetized and is viable in their market.”

Project Management Approach:

Question 5: How do you approach a project that you inherit, instead of being part of from the beginning of the client onboarding process?

• Project Manager 1: “I had a discussion with the development team, and we talked through the project; broke down workload and shared responsibilities. This gave the team the opportunity to discuss grievances, as well as to discuss the project as if it was our own.”
• Project Manager 2: “I always start a project with a discovery phase to be able to define the project charter (an outline of scope, an approximate schedule, a budget estimate, anticipated risks, and key stakeholders) and to create the execution plan.”
• Project Manager 3: “Once a project is approved, we start building on the initial plan created by the business analyst. We work closely with the client to iron out the project’s front-end details, like imagery and logos, while also discussing the necessary software tools for execution. We include developers in client meetings to eliminate any miscommunication and enable open discussions.”

Project Management Challenges:

Question 6: What are some common challenges you have encountered in project management, and how do you address them?

• Project Manager 1: “Budgets and timelines are almost always a block for any project. A clear, straightforward outline of the project needs to be done, and stuck to in order for these projects to be successful. Within Synergo’s consultancy approach, I try to ensure that the client’s needs are in line with their wants – making sure we are all in line with the scope of the project.”
• Project Manager 2 “Budgets and timelines constraints are the most common challenges (especially when both of them are fixed). Another common roadblock I find is if the specifications/design plan isn’t laid out well in the beginning, as the project progresses, the client may end up spending more than it was planned initially.”
• Project Manager 3: “Communication is key, and I make sure the client is aware of project updates and provide tutorials when needed.”

Question 8: How do you navigate client expectations when faced with tight budgets and timelines?

• Project Manager 1: “Aligning client needs with wants and ensuring a clear project outline helps manage expectations within budget constraints.”
• Project Manager 2: “Detailed specifications and design plans in the beginning help set realistic expectations and prevent dissatisfaction as the project progresses. Tracking every change request and informing the client about the time spent on them is also important.”
• Project Manager 3: “For me it’s about being flexible. Flexibility is key in considering project timelines, enabling dynamic adjustments based on specific requirements. Flexibility enables the team to navigate uncertainties, adapt to changing circumstances, and deliver results that align with client expectations.”

Conclusion:

With a focus on open dialogue, strategic planning, and a caring mindset, our project managers offer invaluable insights to steer your projects toward success. Get in touch with us today to unlock the secrets of effective project management and elevate your project outcomes!