Project Management
Progress and Risk
Milestones, risk identification, and dependency management
Milestone Planning
- Break large projects into multiple milestones, each with clear deliverables
- Keep intervals between milestones short (recommended 1-2 weeks)
- Check progress at the end of each milestone and adjust subsequent plans promptly
- Milestones are checkpoints for the team to sync progress and align expectations
Risk Identification and Mitigation
- Identify major risks at the start of a project and develop response strategies
- Common risks: Technical uncertainty, personnel changes, dependency delays, requirement changes
- Risk response strategies: Avoid, Mitigate, Transfer, Accept
- Regularly update the risk list and add new risks promptly
Dependency Management
- Identify all external and internal dependencies during project planning
- Confirm timelines and deliverables with dependency owners
- Have a backup plan (Plan B) for critical dependencies
- Communicate impacts promptly when dependencies change
Progress Transparency
- Update progress in real-time in project management tools
- Raise delay risks early — don't wait until the last moment
- Report progress honestly — don't only share good news
- Delays aren't scary — lack of transparency is