Managing Small Teams: 3 Ways to Doing Things Effectively | HRMS

You are leading a research and development project. A problem arises and the customer expects you to find out why. They promise to present the cause and background at the scheduled meeting next month. Because you are very busy, hire a team member to do the research. In the said meeting, the customer asks about the promised details about the problem. The person next to you will be snow white - it is the employee who now has the answer

Even without words, it is immediately clear to you that the task was not carried out. But in your mind, you ask him urgently: How can it be that you have forgotten this important task?

In order to be able to manage projects successfully, project managers must have a full overview at all times. The ability to delegate effectively is therefore important. Delegating doesn't mean assigning a task to someone else and then removing it from your to-do list. Because even if it is no longer listed there, as a team leader you are still responsible for it. Ultimately, the task must be processed according to the plan. And you need to make sure that the person you assigned the task to is doing it as expected.

So here are three tips that will be of great help when managing small teams. And as the icing on the cake, we have put together the most important criteria for selecting project management software for small teams:

Assign Each Task to Only One Person in Charge.

Some tasks are handled by several employees, but one must be given responsibility for execution and completion. He is, so to speak, the leader of a small team within a larger team. This ensures that a specific person is responsible and that appropriate measures are taken in the event of problems. For a successful handover to the task holder, it is also necessary that he has all the details and information on the task and his role as the person responsible.

Communication, Communication, Communication.

The constant query of the task status and progress is certainly counterproductive. But inadequate communication is a guarantee of difficulties and problems. Smooth processes require that all team members are informed on a daily basis: about duties, responsibilities, due dates, and task dependencies.

Regardless of the size of a project, effective implementation depends on whether all relevant project documentation is in place and available. Team members also know that they can rely on their project manager. Apart from that, processing tasks based on incomplete information is certainly not only unproductive for important processes.

So when it comes to communication, too, it is important to find balance. Efficient communication informs everyone involved:

• exact due dates
• clearly defined expectations
• all the details to rule out guesswork and assumptions
• willingness to answer questions
• the interest in suggestions for easier and faster completion of team tasks

Collaborative Task Management Software Is an Effective Tool for Managing Small Teams.

Globalization and the steadily increasing complexity of projects are one reason why team tasks and projects can hardly be managed without project management software. Regardless of the size of the team, projects can only be successfully completed through effective teamwork.

Cloud-based products such as  HRMS - Task Management Software offer all team members a uniform working environment, even at different locations. Here you can communicate, update the status of your tasks, upload & share files and documents, and much more. On the one hand, project managers have a complete overview, on the other hand, all details for the individual tasks are always in view. You are always in the picture about whether the project is going as planned or where there are delays.

Thanks to the automated functions such as email notifications or reminders, upcoming or exceeded due dates of tasks are no longer overlooked. In this way, project managers can initiate appropriate measures in good time and, for example, get members of other teams or external service providers on board.

One Final Thought on Managing Small Teams

Successful management of small teams is based on the understanding that managing them is just as difficult as managing medium or large teams. Often times, project managers imagine leading a small team to be easier, but that is rarely the case. And if the most important prerequisites are not met, and this includes the implementation of capable project management software, failure is often inevitable.