5 Strategies for Effective Public Sector Project Management

For a long time, project management has been a staple in the private sector. However, with governments under pressure to make reasonable and responsible decisions regarding investments, resource management, and resource usage, project management is becoming the best way to deal with the challenges of managing large and complex projects. Beholden to the public, the government and its public sector partners can use the strategies below to ensure effective project management.

Manage Scope at All Levels

Scope is everything that needs to be done and delivered through and after a project. Because the projects they handle involve many people, public sector partners have to manage scope at all levels to ensure the needs and expectations of these people do not derail the project.

Failure to do so leads to “scope creep”, where the scope increases gradually to a point where managing the project becomes impossible. Managing scope starts with understanding expectations and delivery guidelines. It also entails checking in with all stakeholders as the project progresses and having a way to incorporate new scope into a project.

Embrace Strict Scheduling

Scheduling lets project managers know what needs to be done, when, and by whom. It breaks up a project into smaller, manageable chunks, and each chunk is assigned a start and finish date. Project managers also have to keep an eye on the critical path, a stretch of connected tasks where interfering with one could harm the project’s progress.

Project managers use different tools to visualise their tasks and schedules, dealing with overlaps and ensuring all tasks are completed in the order they are supposed to be and when they should be completed.

Work with a Reputable Partner

Sometimes a project’s scale becomes so large that you need help handling it all. This challenge can arise in projects that need to scale and where many moving parts exist. Fortunately, companies working in the public sector can engage public sector project management partners who can help them deliver on time and within budget.

Working with a reputable partner helps with the management aspect, and businesses also get access to advice, support and business consultation services. Partners like Inspirent can also help businesses in the public sector overcome barriers to funding, which is especially useful when working on large-scale projects.

Manage Risks Before They Arise

Every project has risks, and the project manager is responsible for managing them. They should work with their teams to analyse the project, noting any areas where it could be vulnerable.

By completing this analysis, project managers can put measures in place to mitigate them. They have to balance this with getting the project done, as focusing too much on risk mitigation can take precious resources away from the project’s progress and completion.

Leverage Resource Management Strategies

The resources that project managers have to manage are typically material, facilities, equipment and people. Using their knowledge of scheduling and budgeting, project managers can ensure they have the resources they need when needed.

Project management in the public sector aligns with doing the same in the private sector, with one key difference: the added pressure of working with and delivering for the government. Proper project management strategies help ensure everything goes smoothly and that they and their team complete the project successfully.