Put a DOT on it: The Three Questions That Will Turn Any Project Into A Success

by Solange Lopes | Dec 13, 2013 | Career

It’s year-end, and when you thought you could finally (maybe) get a breather, new projects are piling up on your desk. When you have multiple assignments to complete, many hats to wear, and a to-do list that would compete with the busiest out there, you need to subscribe to the right approach. Through my years in Corporate, and through many ups and downs (some days more downs than ups), I learnt to build my own-mini systematic approach to completing tasks and projects well and on time. It’s called the D.O.T, and nope, it’s no reference to the Department of Transportation…It’s three basic, easy questions that one should get used to asking before tackling any task or project at work. Not only will these clarify your assignment, thus facilitating its completion, it will also make you look like some organized, driven and results-oriented corporate sister (just in time for your upcoming year-end review):

What’s the DELIVERABLE? In other words, what would be the end result of the project? What is expected to be produced through and at the completion of this task/project? Do we have to turn in an analysis report, a summary memo, a Power Point Presentation, or just a simple email summary recap? Although apparently an ordinary, common sense question, it has eluded many at work, and has generated many a misunderstanding, wasted effort, or plain negative review. Some managers would rather obtain certain deliverables as opposed to others, and the level of detail or analysis required may differ from project to project, and from boss to boss. In order to carefully and accurately estimate the time, effort and bandwidth required to produce a noteworthy result, we need to know exactly, in no uncertain detail, what is expected of us.

What’s the OBJECTIVE? Simply put, what are we trying to achieve? What is it that this assignment will allow us to demonstrate? With a clear idea in mind of the direction that this project is headed in, and exactly what your time and effort will be geared towards accomplishing, it will be easier to wrap your mind (and had work) around the output to be produced. There’s an obvious difference in objectives between demonstrating a negative sales trend in order to offer a long-term remediation, and evaluating a company’s internal controls to assess regulatory compliance, and that needs to be established from the get-go to ensure optimal results.

Last but not least, what is the TIMELINE? Many are tempted to ask this question first. How much time do I have to complete this project? When does your manager need this report, Power Point presentation, or Excel spreadsheet on his desk or in his email inbox by? Timing is important, and right timing is crucial! Allowing yourself enough time to complete a task, while budgeting for obvious roadbloacks, downtimes, and other peoples’ schedules is a tricky task in itself. This is where you not only ask the question, but also independently take it upon yourself to challenge your manager’s response. And in doubt, better to allow yourself more time and deliver ahead of schedule, then keep yourself on a tight leash and struggle to meet the deadline…

Are you putting a DOT on your projects?

Sound off: How do you manage your projects and assignments at work? What are the essential questions (and answers) that help you turn a project into a success? Please feel free to comment, or email us at thecorporatesister@gmail.com? We always love to hear from you….