Blog no. 14 – How to work effectively as a remote Project Manager

Remote working, already on the rise in recent years, has become even more prominent after the COVID-19 lock down. Even businesses that have long shied away from working from home have seen the positive impact it can have on the workforce and overall productivity.

With the rise in the number of remote jobs, particularly project manager jobs, knowing how to work remotely and still deliver results to ensure project success is crucial for any project manager looking to work remotely.

The typical project manager role – managing resources, budgets and teams – might seem impossible to fulfill remotely. The reality, however, is that it’s not only possible, but when you take the right steps, you can fulfill your role and thrive.

Here are few tips which could help you manage effectively –

1. Plan, Plan and Then Plan a Little More –

As a project manager, you’re already familiar with planning. But in a remote project manager role, you will need to plan even more details. Planning your activities, tasks and deadlines can help you stay organized, ensuring you keep the project on track. You will need to plan your days, weeks and even months, depending on the project length, to envision how you will complete the project.

Every project needs a separate plan for the project itself and then your own working plan. The project plan will have a timeline, which can help you to prioritize tasks in your working plan and keep the team organized to ensure all deadlines are met.

2. It’s all about Communication –

For any project manager, great communication skills are a must as you will be communicating with various stakeholders and teams involved in the project. That said, working remotely will most likely require you to double the level of communication you’d usually need to keep key stakeholders informed with the latest news and updates on the project. You will also need to communicate both effectively and frequently with the project team to check on the progress of assigned tasks and provide any support needed.

An effective way to ensure everyone is on track and ‘in the loop’ is to use video meetings and project software. It’s far easier to communicate and influence multiple stakeholders in person, so in the absence of that face-to-face contact, you will be managing teams through video software. Accordingly, setting agendas, managing individuals and presenting via tools such as Skype, Teams, etc. (based on your org.) will all be crucial to your success.

3. Set up Working Hours and establish Boundaries

When you are working remotely, likely from your home, it’s easy to spend long hours working. Just about every project will require you to put in long hours as a project manager, but don’t over-work yourself. Instead, set up working hours, and let everyone working on the project know when you are available to be contacted – and when you’re not.

Establishing these boundaries can be especially difficult if you have teams working in different time zones, but it’s still essential. Creating boundaries and setting hours will help you better manage projects and make them a success. – Try & let me know if it works 🙂

4. Create a Working Environment

To work effectively, you will need to create a working environment. Whether that entails an office in your home, just a desk in the corner of your living room or a co-working space, you need a dedicated space to complete your work. A dedicated work space will allow you to be more productive. Proper work space is also important for your back (spine) as well; this should be your P1 if you don’t have a work space already.

If you have decided to work remotely as a project manager, then now is the time to take the right steps to prepare. With the increase in remote roles, you may even find that remote working better suits you, allowing you to save both time (commute hours) and money (commute costs). But ensure that you have the framework in place to succeed – to start, accessible project software, communication tools and an effective work environment at home, are all essential to staying effective and being successful in a remote role.

Question – What tips do you have for effective remote working? Share them in the comments section.

As always, please feel free to get in touch with me if you need any support (Details are available in the about me section of my page). Please follow my blog page for much such articles.

---

If you’re like me and constantly have a list of books you want to read, Kindle Unlimited has been a game-changer. For a flat monthly fee, I have access to over a million titles, from bestsellers to hidden gems. It’s perfect for trying new genres without commitment.

The best part? You can test it completely risk-free. Amazon offers a full 30-day free trial. If you don’t love it, just cancel before the trial ends and pay nothing.

Ready to build your digital library?

Click here to start your 30-Day Free Trial of Kindle Unlimited

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. If you take the free trial through my link above, I will earn a commission. Your price stays the same. I only recommend services I genuinely use and believe in.