When you are the project manager and you realize that missing a deadline is unavoidable you are faced with a challenge. You must keep your team motivated despite the fact that the deadline, the major goal, will not be achieved. Here are some ways to do this.
Don’t Blame
To keep your team motivated, don’t blame anyone. As long as you avoid placing any blame then your team will be less likely to start throwing blame around or placing it on themselves. Blame is demoralizing. For now, just focus on getting the project done.
Communicate
This is not the time to cut yourself off from the team. Maintain open, honest communication about the fact that the deadline will be missed and all other matters. Listen to what your team has to say without judgment or comment. Once your team has said all they have to say then you can respond if necessary.
Praise Accomplishments
Missing a deadline can make an entire project seem like a failure. This is not the case so remember to praise your team for all the hard work they have put into the project and for all the good that they have accomplished. Be proud of them and tell them to be proud of themselves.
Set New Goals
When a deadline is missed then some people will want to wander aimlessly. They will feel unfocused because there is no chance to meet the goal. So create a new deadline and new goals. Do this to give your team a new purpose and sense of direction instead of having them working without a focused goal.
Put The Missed Deadline In Perspective
Often there are reasons why the deadline will be missed that have nothing to do with the team. If this is the case then acknowledge that. If this is not the case then acknowledge that the project was a large undertaking and that it will still be completed.
Make It Fun
Do what you can to lift morale. Don’t put all the focus on the project being late. Instead try to make the project fun or create some sort of reward for the team to thank them for all their hard work. Point out that the additional time will give you a chance to perfect the original project or perhaps to make it better than ever.
Keep Yourself Motivated As An Example To Everyone Else
Your attitude will influence the attitude of your team. And this does not mean putting a smile on your face while you feel discouraged. Get yourself to feeling motivated to work and proud of the finished project that you will soon be able to hand in. Keep yourself genuinely motivated and your team will follow.
These are steps to keeping your team motivated when you know a missed deadline is coming. Deadlines get missed sometimes. Don’t make it worse by blaming or by making then remainder of the project work painful for the team. Keep spirits up and deliver a project that was worth waiting for.
Tommy Rhein writes about searching for high quality master in project management degree programs.