Secret Tips to Deliver Your Project on Time and within Budget

Many project managers strive to deliver projects on time and within budget. This goal is impossible, however, if you really think about it.
Managers believe that experience, not specific tools, is the key to success.
This is wrong!
Understanding what this means is essential to ensure that you deliver your project on time and within budget. This article will help you understand it.
What is it like to deliver a project on time and within budget? I searched for new methods and software applications. I made sure that the team adhered to the schedule and completed tasks in a specific order.
Nothing worked.
Why?
Changes. All my efforts were ruined by a sudden change from clients.
(Back then, it was a real challenge. I didn’t like change.
On the other side, I did notice a fact.
In the end, the client was satisfied with the work, even if we missed our deadline. This meant that we were already over budget.
This made me think bigger. Is it better to say that I am more flexible about “on time” and “within budget”?
To keep stakeholders happy, I developed the following principles of management.
1. Understanding the Project Goals and Limitations
When time and money are both a constraint. When you have a list of “must-have” product features. If clients won’t give you an inch for breathing room…
Only a project goal can help you.
It can be used in many different ways.
“Do we really need this change to achieve our project goal?”
“We must de-scope this requirement or we risk failing to achieve our primary goal.”
“You (client) must be more accessible. We have many questions. Deadlines are close. We might miss our goal.”
Many clients start projects without a clear goal in mind. They simply need a product or a service to be created.
They don’t realize that there are many ways to implement the same requirement.
You need to create a Project Charter at the beginning of your project. Or at the very least, a basic version.
2. Negotiating Changes to Maximize Your Benefits
“Yes, John. I can see that it is a critical change to this feature.”
I say it in a dreamer voice, “It will bring so many value to your customers.” “But, do you realize that this means we will need push the deadline for approximately three weeks? We can’t afford it. The deadline is August 6.
“I know, Dmitriy. I do remember that. Let’s not forget to extend the deadline. Send me the updated timeline and make the necessary changes.
Knowing the goals of the project will help you determine its benefits. Benefits for the client’s business, the end users, and your company.
You will reap the benefits if you are in need of additional work. This could help you move deadlines or add people to your project.
Talking about “more to do” is not going to make a difference for the client.
3. Focus on creating tangible results
Two situations are crucially different:
You have completed 100% of the original features by the deadline but the product isn’t ready to go live. This could be due to defects or a lack of sign-offs.
You should have 80% of the initial features ready for the market by the deadline. It’s not perfect. It is still capable of earning money and delivering value to users.
Guess what?
The majority of clients prefer the second option.
Agile methodologies are able to meet the business needs. After each iteration, they promise a “potentially shippingable” product.
But, even if you’re not agile, that doesn’t mean you can create quality products piece by piece.
Yes, you must find the right Quality Assurance practices.
It’s actually much easier than you might think.
Pro Tip: You can negotiate a time limit for stabilizing the product and preparing it for the hand-off. You are now ready to go.