As more organisations begin adopting a cloud-first or cloud-only policy, project management has taken on a new life via the cloud, which opens up a wealth of new opportunities.
Due to the interconnected nature of cloud computing, professionals can now collaborate, develop ideas, and share resources worldwide regardless of time zone or location. This has made it easy for employees to contribute even when working from home, which is especially crucial in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, switching from conventional project management methods to an online approach may be an obstacle for project managers accustomed to the traditional ways of doing things. Furthermore, there are valid concerns about the disruption this change may cause on the team’s well-established practices.
But fret not! If you are a project manager who has concerns about such a switch within your organisation, let us share five practical tips to help you manage projects in the cloud and ensure they are a success.
1. Utilise the right collaboration tools
To manage projects in the cloud effectively, you will need the help of reliable collaboration tools that are a good fit for your work and your organisation’s goals. It is vital to ensure that the tools you have chosen provide the necessary functions you need rather than selecting one that is packed full of redundant features.
Otherwise, you will run the risk of slowing progress and incurring unnecessary expenses. Therefore, it is advisable to list the functions and features you need and those you do not require. Once the list is completed, check your desired tools to see if they provide the functions you require for your work.
2. Foster an open and collaborative environment
Project management requires cooperation from every team member to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget. As such, it is essential to nurture a culture of personal responsibility to ensure an open working environment where people are willing to share both their accomplishments and struggles.
Cloud collaboration and project management software can help organisations achieve greater cooperation among the various teams. Such software usually contains collaborative functions, such as shared group calendars and task lists, allowing everyone to view who is responsible for which task and when the deadline is, making it easier for project managers to foster an open environment.
3. Empower your team
The advent of remote working due to the pandemic has placed a greater emphasis on individual responsibility. As the work-from-home model remains the recommended option, the success of every project becomes heavily dependent upon each individual’s sense of responsibility and efforts. For this reason, it is essential for project managers to empower their team as much as possible.
You do not need to hold your employees’ hands or micro-manage your team to achieve the best possible outcome. Instead, you should trust and empower your team members to perform the tasks they were hired to do. Of course, you should still ensure that the delegated tasks are completed promptly and up to standard.
4. Regularly monitor your project’s progress
As a project manager, one of your duties is to ensure that you are up-to-date on the status of your project at any given time. While this might seem like an arduous task, it can be simplified with the use of various project management software.
These tools enable you to quickly check on the status of an assignment at any time. With the implementation of the right software, you can get a big picture view of every open activity, which allows you to better anticipate potential problems.
One of the advantages of managing a project in a cloud-based system is the number of available tools that can provide you and your team members with alerts and updates about the completion of every task. This will enable your team to break down each assignment effectively and determine which tasks are on track or falling behind schedule.
5. Ensure the cloud environment is secure
Like any other IT environment, cloud-based systems are susceptible to various cybersecurity threats. These security risks can impact your organisation’s data and disrupt the operations of your projects. Worst case scenario, your team’s hard work might be for nought if the data is lost during a security breach.
Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your cloud environment is well-protected. Always double-check if your cloud-based apps are secure and safe. Set different access levels, strong passwords, and adequate encryption levels to guarantee that no outsider can access your organisation’s files and information.
Additionally, it is highly recommended that you and your team sign up for cybersecurity training classes so everyone knows how to respond in the event of a security breach. In fact, it is crucial for a project manager to possess such a skill set in our increasingly digitised world.
Conclusion
Switching from traditional project management methods to a cloud-based approach may take some getting used to for many project managers who are familiar with the conventional ways of doing things.
Nonetheless, these challenges can be mitigated with the proper projection management tools and strategies. We hope what we have shared has allowed you to gain a better understanding of how to manage a project in a cloud-based environment successfully.
Additionally, you can consider upskilling your existing project management skillsets by signing up for BridgingMinds’s comprehensive project management classes. We also offer an extensive range of cloud computing courses for those who are interested in gaining the necessary knowledge to operate in cloud-based environments. Registration for our 2022 classes has already begun, so hurry up and sign up now before all the slots are taken up!
