Since every project inherently changes the status quo, much of project management revolves around change—planning for it, explaining it, mitigating its negative impacts, and convincing stakeholders that the changes will be worth it. Even if change management isn’t part of your official job description, you will inevitably be dealing with change and its impact on stakeholders, partners, collaborators, and your project team.
Unfortunately, many project managers who believe they’re great change agents may be making common mistakes that undermine their ability to achieve project success. Here are two major errors project managers often make and how to avoid them.
1. Comparing a Project’s Progress Against the Current Landscape
One of the most common mistakes project managers make is using today’s current environment as a benchmark for project progress. While it may seem intuitive to evaluate how things are improving compared to the status quo, this approach misses the true goals of a project.
Projects are designed to improve upon the present, whether through updated software, infrastructure, or new processes. Instead of focusing on current conditions, project managers should keep their eyes on the agreed-upon deliverables set with stakeholders. Success comes from working toward that final vision, not from comparing progress to the past. Always evaluate milestones against the end results you and your stakeholders have defined.
2. Focusing Too Much on Potential Problems
It’s natural for project managers to anticipate challenges, but spending too much time worrying about what might go wrong can be counterproductive. This constant focus on risks can breed negativity, which can become a morale killer for your team and threaten the success of the project.
The key to effective change management lies in addressing challenges with a proactive, solution-oriented mindset. Instead of dwelling on potential problems, shift your energy toward creative problem-solving sessions with your team. By focusing on finding solutions, you’ll foster a more positive outlook and position yourself to confidently share progress with stakeholders.