The very first project undertaken by any business is sure to be a nerve-racking affair. No matter how much time and money has been put into the preparation, there are just so many things that can go wrong.

The good news is that there are some relatively easy ways to make sure that this initial piece of work is a roaring success. None of these ideas are particularly complicated but if you fail to carry them out then it could lead to massive problems later on in the process.

The following are a few of the main tasks that need to be carried to make your future pieces of work as impressive as they can possibly be.

Be Realistic

It is easy to get carried away when setting up a new project team. You might think that this is the solution to all of your company’s problems. Maybe all of those plans you have had in mind will finally come to fruition and the problems that have dogged your business can be cleared up at last.

Yet, it is important to be realistic about what they can achieve. When a new team has just been set up you need to give them to get settled in. You can’t expect them to hit the ground running with a big, complex piece of work.

Therefore, it is likely that your very first project is a more modest affair. This is a time to let the new team members get settled in comfortably and build up their confidence little by little. A project that can be completed fairly quickly is a good idea, as this lets them see the end to end process in a short period of time.

Get a Multi-Skilled Team

Every project team needs a good range of skills in it. If you don’t have this then at some point you are going to run into issues that no-one knows how to sort out. This is particularly important in a small team with just a few people in it.

A team made up of people from diverse backgrounds is a good idea, as this guarantees that they will have different knowledge and experience to call on once they get started. Some business expertise, some project experience and a range of other skills will all come in handy.

It is also essential that you take into account the general project training that everyone in these roles needs. The likes of PRINCE2 Training will give them the overall view of the techniques and tools that are used to run successful projects.

Give and Receive Useful Feedback

The end of your company’s first project is a crucial moment as much as the start is. Regardless of whether it is completed successfully or limps to an unsatisfying conclusion, you need to assess how the whole thing went. This is when you can see what went right and what didn’t.

A comprehensive end of project review will allow you to more fully understand what needs to be improved for the next one, and what you already have sorted out. This is a time to reflect on the past events in a serious and professional manner.

Naturally, this has to take into account the actions carried out by everyone involved in the project. It is a case of giving and receiving feedback in order to make your future projects even better. It is vital that everyone accepts constructive criticism in a positive way.

By following these fairly simple steps, it should be possible to move on your second and subsequent projects with a lot more confidence.