Anyone in a Project Mgmt Position?

[AshleyJordan]

My new position has a lot of responsibilities that I can best describe as project management-- coordinating with consultants, support staff, board/committee members, etc. to make sure that events, proposals, and similar projects, get done. I oversee the process and the product.

It's getting very stressful because I'm still learning, and every day there seems to be a new fire to put out--someone's assistant didn't record something, someone else wants a last-minute change, etc. My boss seems frustrated with this, but also notes that these issues are all from other players (consultants, etc.,) and not me. It still stresses me out because I want to be able to get things done smoothly, but with five different opinions and people to handle, it's hard to coordinate! I've also had little management experience, and no managment training. . . so, even though my boss seems
"OK" with it, I'm getting stressed. . . .any insight from managment veterans here on the boards would be greatly appreciate.

[workaholic?]

i'm in what we call in our company a project management position. my projects though are construction projects, so it's different from what you're doing. however, some of the same principles apply.

first, i ask a million and one questions now. when i first started i was hesitant to let people know how much i didn't know, and things weren't going so well. now, if i don't know how to do something, i ask.

Also, i have to take a lot of notes. i can't even tell you how many tablets i have sitting around my office so that i can just jot down whatever whenever.

The other thing is that you do have to stay on top of people. if they are within your company, this may mean a gentle nudge. if they're not in your company (some sort of contractor or vendor) you can basically do whatever it takes to get them to get going on your project. i'm not saying get rude or unethical but you really can just keep calling until they return your call or get your information.

[J-girl]

I am in project management as well and I am in the same situation as you. Although I deal with Logistics and distribution and some financial stuff. But believe me I do feel your pain.

I take lots and lots of notes. Make sure they are organised. Every little detail should be put down. Get one of those notebooks that comes sticky tabs. Seriously that helps me a lot.

And it doesnt help that I am in charge of a brand new system and its a brand new position. So thats all the advice I have so far. And I would like some more insights from others as well. Workaholic thanks.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I'm a Job Captain at my job which is one level below from a Project Manager. But I manage construction projects (landscape construction drawings) for large projects in a few different cities.

I also have to coordinate with civil engineers, electrical engineers, irrigation consultants, contractors, suppliers, city planners, etc.

I actually like what I do for the most part.

[NorthernAngel]

I was a project manager at my former company, I now am a marketing manager which basically means I do the same thing, just a little more focused.

Little tricks that save my rear-end on a regular basic: Outlook (or whatever similar software) is my best friend. Reminders, follow-ups, notes, phone-logs: I log everything in there and set flags / alarms / reminders all the time. I also categorize all these items by field (advertisement, promotion, publication, etc.). This also allows me to keep a history of what happened in a particular file.

I keep the same classification in my physical filing system - saves me a ton of time when looking for a particular document.

I don't know how this would apply to your job... but it's my 2 cents anyways.

[sondra_finchley]

Oh yeah... herding cats. I had a major statewide project a few years ago that was godawful- had a bunch of people who were supposed to help me who didnt (because they were 'technically' above me), plenty of jerks from out in the really rural areas who didnt think it was any GD business of a government entity (which we werent), and especially a woman asking!, what their stuff was about, problems with one major group that I had to talk around in order to get to participate. Then there was running the entire survey on my own, inputting on my own, running the economic analysis on my own using a program and process I learned on the way. I finished the paper and oh hey! one of the major groups didnt like how they were represented so I had to rerun the entire fricken analysis when I gave them an extra three weeks to get more surveys together, since they were the ones who dropped the ball. God it was hell. Be organized- thats all I can say- but dont feel bad about feeling frustrated as thats exactly how I felt every day with that damn project.

BTW if you need a laugh- there is a video on YouTube from that one advert with herding cats. Sums it up well.
I didnt know you could do that much with Outlook!