Key Insights to Help You Navigate Large Projects with Confidence
Large projects will test your skills, your systems, and your patience, especially when things don’t go according to plan. But here’s the truth – surviving large projects is more about being prepared than being perfect.
In this blog, I’m sharing some of the hard-earned project management truths that will help you head into your next large project feeling more confident and ready to tackle the challenges ahead. This knowledge will help you stay grounded, keep things moving forward, and maintain control – even when the pressure’s on.
Truth #1: Effort alone isn’t enough – you need structure
When you transition from small to large projects, everything gets more complicated. It’s not just about a bigger budget or a longer timeline – everything scales: more people, more tasks, more moving parts, more dependencies. And with that comes more potential for things to go wrong.
On smaller projects, you may get by with sheer effort, a few checklists, and a general sense of what needs to be done. But that’s not enough for large projects. You need a strong framework to keep you grounded and on track.
Success in a large project doesn’t come from simply doing more. It comes from using systems, templates, checklists, and consistent routines to stay organized, make smart decisions, and keep your team focused. Structure – doing the right things, in a consistent way – is what transforms a stressed-out project manager into a calm, confident leader.
Truth #2: A strong kickoff sets the tone
A great kickoff meeting is essential on large projects, but it’s not the very first thing you should do. Before you bring the team together, meet with your sponsor and steering committee, get your charter approved, and draft key project documents like the charter, scope statement, and WBS.
Once you’re prepared, the kickoff meeting can set the tone for the entire project. This isn’t a quick meet-and-greet. It’s a working session where you review, finalize, and align everyone around the project’s core plan. Keep it structured, focused, and outcome-driven.
Be sure to send pre-reads, assign tasks and deadlines, and clearly capture decisions and action items. A well-planned kickoff will create clarity, build confidence, and ensure everyone is aligned and ready to pull in the same direction.
More truths about managing large projects
I’ve shared two key truths here, but there are eight more that will set you up for success when managing your next large project. I cover all of them in my latest video, including insights like:
- Why your role on large projects should shift from doer to enabler
- How a stakeholder map can support alignment across the project
- When and how to build flexibility into your large project plan
- How to avoid being blindsided by risks on big projects
- Why protecting your team’s energy and focus is critical
- How to tailor communication with stakeholders at different levels
Follow me over to YouTube for the full breakdown of these 10 project management truths, so you can not only survive large projects but lead them successfully.
Cheers,
Adriana Girdler, PMP | Creator of Slay Project Management™
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