8 Easy steps for getting better at Issue Management
There’s a lot to learn about problem-solving. It’s a huge topic, as demonstrated in the PMP certification course, and one that every project manager will have to deal with at some point during their project.
An issue, unlike a risk, is not a possible concern. In the present moment, a problem exists.
Managing difficulties is similar to managing a project in that it necessitates a method and a plan to put the strategy into action. These steps will assist you in establishing a framework for managing difficulties when they arise in your project.
1. Create Register
The only way to get started is to identify concerns and collect them in a document so that you can respond to them and track their progress toward resolution. Create an online collaborative document if possible. You should manage issues in the same way you would manage risks or changes: by keeping track of them in a log or register. It will be lost in the shuffle of the project if there isn’t a method or tool in place to report on the issue. You must report difficulties and alert others so that others can confirm whether or not the problem still exists.
2. Report Promptly
Timing is crucial, as you learned in the PMP certification course. Allowing reporting to lag means you’ll miss out on the chance to correct the problem before it grows too big to fix or needs so many resources that it becomes a project-buster. Communication is critical, and routes must be available in order to send information to the right people as quickly as feasible. If you’re going to report something quickly, you should also fix it quickly. Sitting on a well-known problem is a recipe for disaster.
3. Log Issues
Ascertain that people are aware of who may log issues and that they do so. You will have issues slipping between the gaps if there isn’t someone who logs the issue. This causes further cracks in your project, eventually causing it to fall apart. You should keep a thorough record of this procedure. Nothing is too insignificant. It may appear unimportant to you, yet it could be the key to unlocking the issue’s solution. A log also serves as an archive tool for future reference.
4. Assign Actions
Put a name next to an activity as well, so that responsibility is evident. Issues can only be resolved when there is a clear owner, someone who is responsible for detecting, tracking, and resolving the problem. You’ll need a point person who is in charge of everything relating to that issue and doesn’t leave it until it’s resolved. In issue management, accountability is crucial.
5. Monitor Progress
Is there any follow-up on the action items? Validate status on a regular basis. An important distinction is the issue’s standing. Another concern is if the problem has been fixed but resources are still working on it unnecessarily. Notify everyone on a regular basis. You want complete transparency to avoid dedicating unneeded resources to a problem. To operate effectively, everyone must be aware of the current condition of the subject. Project dashboards help keep everyone informed about the status of issues.
6. Assess Impact
Define the escalation scale and ensure that the actions taken are tracked. However, the situation should be escalated appropriately. You don’t want to waste all of your resources on something that only requires a fraction of them. However, you don’t want to put any unneeded hurdles in the way of a quick recovery.
7. Approve Resolution
Make sure to double-check issues after they’ve been marked as resolved. While the issue has an owner, the process must be managed by someone who can check the work and ensure that it is in line with the organization’s broader project and strategic goals. The issue can only be resolved after all of those ducks are in a row.
8. Close It Out
That brings us to our final step. The problem has been resolved. Remove issues that have been resolved from the list. Doesn’t that make you feel good?
Need more insights on the same? Enrol in a CAPM, PMP, PgMP, or PfMP Certification program today!
