7 Tips for Managing a Project Effectively

Technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, but the ingredients of a successful project change very little. In the digital age, the fundamentals of project management are more relevant than ever. Two experts from Executive Education HEC Montréal share seven tips to help you stay on course.

1 – Avoid the Technological Feat Trap

IT teams are passionate about technology, recalls Marc Messier, Lecturer at HEC Montréal and instructor at Executive Education HEC Montréal—sometimes to the point of being blinded by technical achievements and losing sight of a project’s purpose. “This is a common pitfall, especially in a digital context. You end up delivering an impressive solution that doesn’t meet any real need,” he explains.

To avoid this trap, it is essential never to lose sight of the project’s foundations. Why is it necessary? Who will benefit from it? What concrete outcomes are expected? And how will success be measured? According to the specialist, these questions should guide decision-making from start to finish.

2 – Manage with Flexibility

Regardless of a project’s nature, certain fundamentals remain essential: a strong launch, realistic planning, effective governance, rigorous monitoring, and a closing phase that allows lessons learned to be carried forward, explains Marc Messier. These principles are also at the heart of the brand-new project management certification offered by Executive Education HEC Montréal.

“That said, whatever method is used or taught, flexibility is the watchword today,” he notes. Attempting to plan everything down to the smallest detail can become counterproductive: the more rigid the plan, the harder it becomes to adapt as circumstances change.

Marc Messier instead recommends clearly defining the project’s intent, then planning the next short-term steps in detail. This approach gives project managers better visibility into progress and greater leeway to adjust course when needed.

3 – Move Forward Step by Step

A large-scale project spanning ten years? Not for Marc Messier. “Today, such undertakings are more often broken down into a series of smaller projects,” he says. Rather than waiting years to roll out a new IT system, for example, organizations can implement solutions progressively, step by step. This approach offers several advantages: users can begin using the tool quickly, provide feedback, and contribute to continuous improvement. “This is one of the reasons behind the enthusiasm for agile methods,” the specialist notes. Small projects, big benefits, he sums up.

4 – Pay Close Attention to the Human Dimension

A project’s success depends not only on planning or execution. Human dynamics also play a structuring role. “Too often, projects fail because people didn’t dare say what they really thought, for fear of the consequences,” points out Pierre Lainey, Senior Faculty Lecturer in the Department of Management at HEC Montréal and instructor in the certification program. Understanding on-the-ground concerns and identifying sources of resistance makes it possible to pinpoint potential obstacles more quickly and address them before they hinder project progress.

5 – Build a True Team

“You can’t carry a project through to completion on your own. You have to mobilize people so they work together,” adds Pierre Lainey. Turning a group into a true team does not happen overnight; it usually unfolds in several stages. First comes team formation, during which roles and responsibilities are clarified. This is followed by a turbulent phase, where disagreements and tensions emerge—an entirely normal step, according to the specialist. Next comes normalization, when the team gradually establishes its ways of working and shared reference points. Only after this journey can genuine teamwork take root.

To foster cohesion, it is essential to clearly define both the project itself and the expectations placed on each team member. “The cognitive, the emotional, and the collective form the three pillars of a project manager’s influence,” summarizes Pierre Lainey.

6 – Be Rigorous and… Honest

To keep a project on track, it is not enough to have a flexible plan; frequent and rigorous monitoring of task progress is also required. Regularly comparing actual progress with planned objectives helps avoid unpleasant surprises such as cost overruns or significant delays.

During follow-up meetings with stakeholders, it is better to clearly present the difficulties encountered rather than trying to downplay or conceal them. “Talking about problems often makes it possible to resolve them more quickly or adjust the game plan before it’s too late,” the specialist emphasizes.

7 – Learn from Your Mistakes

Often overlooked, the project closing phase is nonetheless a crucial moment. It provides an opportunity to step back and draw concrete lessons from the experience. “The goal isn’t to look for someone to blame, but rather to have a constructive discussion about the project that has just ended,” explains Marc Messier.

This review makes it possible to assess whether the project truly meets the needs initially identified and to discuss what worked well and what could be improved.
“You can ask how things could be done differently next time or what actions should be taken to ensure a smoother process. This helps avoid repeating the same mistakes,” he concludes.