Did you realize that just about everything you do in your life, and certainly in your business, is a project? And with each project there are systems. Systems are the repeatable steps you take. When you maximize these systems you save time, energy, and often you’ll save money too.
Systems Save
Systems are defined as repeatable processes. For example, you probably put the dishes away the same way just about every time you empty the dishwasher. You do it this way naturally but probably because it feels like it’s the most convenient and efficient.
You also have systems for your business. Again, many of these might be unconscious. You may have created systems without realizing it. For example, when you pay invoices you may sit down and pay them on the same date every month. You might also sort and organize those invoices.
What’s a Project and Project Management?
Everything is a project. From paying bills to putting away the dishes. And project management is the process of organizing each project in an attempt to control the outcome. As you might then guess, the more efficient your systems the easier it is to achieve success with any project.
Maximizing Your Project Management Systems
Step back for a bit and make a list of the projects you’re currently working on, or managing. And then make a list of the systems that support each project.
For example, you might be working on a product launch. That’s a project to be sure. For this product launch you might be working with contractors, sending weekly email messages to your prospects, and boosting your content marketing initiatives.
Each of these individual steps of the project require systems. An example of this might be the communication system with your contractors.
Once you have this list of systems and projects consider the following:
* Does the system work? If not, why not?
* Are you tracking the system’s success, effectiveness and efficiency? For example, does your email marketing system support your goals? Analytics would tell you the answer to that question.
* Is there an easier way to do something? Can you leverage skills or technology?
* Is there anything you can eliminate to make your system more efficient?
Finally, once your project is complete, take time to assess the results. Take a look at your systems. Would you use them again? Would you change anything? If you’re unsure how to go about this analytical process, start with your smaller systems. Start with unloading the dishwasher or paying the bills. Ask yourself, “is there a way I could do this more efficiently?