A project is only as successful as the people behind it. While leaders often choose people for project teams simply based on their bandwidth or specialized knowledge, this is not necessarily the best way to go about it.
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There’s a number of specific skills leaders must look for, indicating who can add to the team and collaborate well with others.
Even those employees with the strongest skills typically require training to shine as a project team member.
Simply assuming people already have all the necessary skills, or that they’ll quickly observe others and catch on, is not an effective approach. Companies who want the best project outcomes must be willing to invest in their people first.
6 Tips for Choosing Effective Project Team Members
Companies should strive to have project team members embody each of the following six characteristics.
1. Excellent Communicator
Project team members work with individuals in all levels of the organization, coming from a variety of different backgrounds. As a result, these project management professionals must have the ability to effectively communicate with a number of different audiences. Poor communication can make or break the success of a project, so this is essential.
2. Knowledge of Project Management Principles
While team members don’t have to be experts on every tactic, tool, and term, having a basic knowledge of project management fundamentals provides them with a solid foundation to work with.
3. Highly Organized
Mass chaos and project success don’t mix. A project team member must be extremely organized, so they know exactly what is going on with each step of the project at all times. These professionals must know how to leverage available tools and techniques to stay organized, even when under significant stress.
4. Strong Ability to Read People
The best project team members are also solid leaders who know how to motivate people. They’re able to create a vision for both stakeholders and their teams to look to for inspiration. When crunch time begins they know exactly what it takes to motivate people to get the job done.
5. Accurate Estimating Skills
The project manager relies on team members to provide estimates for their individual tasks. It’s important for estimates to be accurate because they have the potential to throw the entire project timeline off. One delayed task can result in a domino effect, ultimately causing everyone to miss key deadlines.
6. Self-Assured
It’s important for a project team member to be able to politely-but-firmly stand their ground when faced with opposition from others in the organization. These professionals need to clearly convey their needs and stand up for the best interests of the project when faced with roadblocks.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2014 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness.
