4 Essential Skills to Succeed as NPD Project Leader

It is a general understanding that, to be a successful npd Project Leader, you should be good at planning and technical aspects of the product. Yes, no doubt these are basic minimum requirements, there is more you need to be a successful npd Project Leader.

Based on my understanding, I have compiled 4 essential skills which can help you succeed as npd Project Leader.

#1: Facilitation

In most organizations, each department is like a different company. People have their own priorities, and nobody bothers to coordinate with other departments.

People prefer email communication and avoid speaking to each other. Also, they set hard boundaries beyond which they don’t allow anybody to enter.

Bosses act as Prime Ministers of their own country (department). In conclusion, everybody is competing with other departments to prove themselves.

If you want all of them to walk in the same direction, you should take them on a common platform. You should make them come together and discuss areas where they can help each other.

Instead of email wars, make them realize need of the hour to unite and face all the challenges. You may not succeed always, but in an attempt to bring them together, a lot of facts will come to surface.

To be a good facilitator, they should trust you. Hence, even before you assume an official role you should build personal connections with them and build trust. They should look up to you as someone who will give them due respect and solve their problems.

#2: Look beyond

On the surface, things will always look good. You should have skills to look beyond what is seen on the surface. During status review meetings, people will assure you that all is well.

It is not about doubting people, but looking beyond what they are able to see. They may assume a lot of things but when you start questioning things, minute details will come to surface.

You need not be a question man but try to judge the facts through one-to-one discussion with project team members.

On the face everything may look good, but you may discover that – some parts of the software are not yet tested, some important part is not yet ordered, some important processes is not followed, a couple of risks are not identified.

As you get experience, you will know what questions to ask to whom to ensure that you don’t fall flat.

#3: People connect

Authority works as long as people don’t have a choice. But instead of relying on authority, you should build direct connections with people. When you connect with people beyond authority, they feel valued and comfortable to work with you.

Everybody expects respect. Give due respect to fellow members and they will be willing to walk the extra mile with you to complete the project on time.

Joining team members over lunch could be a great gesture to have personal connections. Also, checking about their family members could help to build contact.

When you have personal connect, a phone call is enough to get things done.

#4: Communication

Most projects fail due to improper communication. Stakeholders expect status updates about ongoing projects. You should develop a communication plan so that stakeholders keep getting required updates without they asking for it.

The best way to communicate is sending weekly project dashboard showcasing current status, milestone tracker, highlighting risks and mitigation plan.

Looking at the dashboard, stakeholders should get the pulse of what is happening on project and product front. It is also an opportunity to seek help from them.

Along with regular communication, you should meet key stakeholders in person to have visibility and take their feedback. When you meet them regularly, they will not complain about project status but will get into helping mode due to importance given to them.

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