Project management - when to "check in" with the PM?

Question

Hello everyone, as a newbie to this industry, I'd like to hear your advice on project management. Specifically, I'd like to seek advice on 1) When to update PM regarding workstream status and clarify doubts 2) Suggested timing to deliver the work (before deadline)

Recently I was assigned a work stream and the PM had an alignment call to delegate the roles & responsibilities. However, I'm a bit uncertain what is the best timing to check the direction with him. Should I give him an update during halfway, to ensure there's enough buffer if the direction is not correct? Also, is it always suggested to complete the work at least 1 day before deadline to keep some buffer for revision? Appreciate any thoughts!

Answer 1

A good PM will bring this up before the project kicks-off. If he/she hasn't done so yet, simply suggest a team meeting to discuss this very topic.

What teams usually discuss here is things such as preferred ways of working, personality types, development goals, any particular restrictions i.e. blocked hours because of family dinner time, etc.

Kicking off a meeting without this kind of session reflects poorly on the PM and is almost certainly a recipe for chaos (maybe not quite disaster).

By the way, a team check-in in the morning and check-out in the afternoon are very typical in MBB. In addition, the PM should try and make themselves available for ad-hoc call. Generally speaking, more communication is always better.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

1. You should align with the PM when the PM wants to have updates.

2. In general, you should not wait until you have the end result. You should send daily updates - a status report, an indication of the progress you made, outstanding issues, and questions you have

3. If you have a question / doubt, you should just reach out immediatly.

4. You should at least have a meeting when you have a draft, to make sure you are aligned (i.e., just sending an email is not enough).

Please understand consulting follows a fast paced - high interation model. In some projects you should be interacting twice a day with your manager.

Answer 3

Hi there,

There's a really easy answer here: ask the PM.

The best thing you can do to make your PM happy is understand how they work and what they prefer.

You need to adjust and adapt to their style - every PM is different!

Seems like you're struggling a bit with the ins and outs of the role - feel free to shoot me a message as I have a consulting survival guide that should help you with just that!

Answer 4

Hello!

These are great questions, and precisely beacuse of that I would advise you to schedule a call to discuss them with the PM directly. I will also build a lot of trust.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara