Here's how you can set realistic deadlines in the Mobile Communications industry.
In the fast-paced world of mobile communications, setting realistic deadlines is crucial for success. Whether you're developing a new app, rolling out a network update, or launching a marketing campaign, the right timing can make or break your project. It's about balancing speed and quality, managing expectations, and ensuring that every team member is on the same page. Here's how you can set deadlines that are ambitious yet achievable, keeping your team motivated and your clients happy.
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Istvan CselenyiHead of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
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Zeshan QureshiCEO at Deploy | CEO at Sparx Smartphones | xSamsung | xHaier | xQMobile |xPeshawar Zalmi | xNUST
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Brejesh DuaDGM International Enterprise Sales (Messaging) at Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd. | A2P SMS | Messaging | Technology |…
Understanding the scope of your project is the first step to setting realistic deadlines. You need to have a clear grasp of what the project entails, including all its features and functionalities. This means breaking down the project into smaller tasks and estimating how much time each will take. Consider the complexity of each task, the resources available, and any potential roadblocks that could cause delays. A thorough understanding of the project's scope will enable you to set a timeline that is detailed and attainable.
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Zeshan Qureshi
CEO at Deploy | CEO at Sparx Smartphones | xSamsung | xHaier | xQMobile |xPeshawar Zalmi | xNUST
Break Down Tasks: Divide complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks with individual deadlines to ensure consistent progress and timely completion. Prioritize Flexibility: Allow room for unexpected challenges by setting buffer times within your deadlines, ensuring adaptability without compromising overall project timelines. Collaborate and Communicate: Engage with all stakeholders regularly to align on realistic timelines, ensuring everyone is on the same page and potential delays are promptly addressed.
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Brejesh Dua
DGM International Enterprise Sales (Messaging) at Globe Teleservices Pte. Ltd. | A2P SMS | Messaging | Technology | CPaaS | Customer Relations | Telecom Product & Solutions | Project Management (Domain: IT/Telecom)
you can start by creating appealing job postings that show why your company is a great place to work. Use online and local networks to spread the word. Emphasize the value of a strong sales team and the benefits of working with your company. To keep top talent, offer opportunities for growth and provide flexible work options, like remote or hybrid roles. Also, consider increasing base pay, offering good perks, or giving retention bonuses. Show off your company's brand and culture to catch the interest of talented salespeople who aren't actively looking for a job. Building a positive reputation as an employer can also help attract and keep top sales talent.
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Nilesh Pal
Packet Core Technical Specialist at Nokia
For setting the deadlines, it is crucial to understand the actual scope and divide the responsibilities among all stakeholders. Also, it is equally important to keep a significant buffer for the delays due to unforeseen circumstances during the project phase.
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Istvan Cselenyi
Head of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
Use your and your team's experience from similar projects in the past. Sharing and aligning expert views minimizes bias and misinterpretation, moreover, it unites the project team.
Resource analysis is essential for setting realistic deadlines in mobile communications. Take stock of the human resources, technical tools, and other assets at your disposal. Evaluate your team's skills and experience to ensure they align with the project's requirements. If there's a mismatch, consider the time needed for training or hiring additional talent. Also, assess the availability of your team members, as overlapping projects may affect their capacity to meet deadlines. An accurate resource analysis helps in creating a timeline that reflects your team's true capabilities.
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Istvan Cselenyi
Head of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
It's recommended to prepare plan B, C... as mitigation of resource shortage or lack of skills, tools. This is a cheaper way of risk management than overdimensioning the team.
Risk management plays a pivotal role in setting realistic deadlines. Identify potential risks that could derail your project, such as technical hurdles, dependency on third-party services, or changes in market trends. Once identified, estimate the impact of these risks on your timeline and develop contingency plans. By accounting for the unexpected, you can set deadlines that are flexible enough to accommodate unforeseen challenges while still keeping your project on track.
Client collaboration is crucial when setting deadlines in the mobile communications industry. Engage with your clients to understand their expectations and constraints. Transparent communication about what is feasible within certain time frames helps manage expectations and builds trust. Involve clients in the planning process, as their feedback can provide valuable insights into prioritizing tasks. This collaborative approach ensures that the deadlines set are not only realistic but also aligned with your client's goals.
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Istvan Cselenyi
Head of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
Communication with stakeholders and clients is fundamental in achieving success and also in minimizing the impact of changes and issues during the project. Transparency and sufficient amount of data are essential.
Progress tracking is an indispensable tool for managing deadlines. Establish regular check-ins and updates to monitor the advancement of your project. Use project management software or other tools to keep a real-time overview of task completion and to identify any delays promptly. This enables you to adjust your plans as needed, ensuring that minor setbacks don't turn into major roadblocks. Consistent progress tracking helps maintain momentum and keeps everyone focused on meeting the set deadlines.
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Istvan Cselenyi
Head of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
"Plan is nothing; planning is everything" - tracking the progress visualizes where we are compared to the project plan. Larger deviations trigger replanning, baseline change. On the other hand, progress matching the plan increases the moral.
Creating a feedback loop is a key strategy for setting and adjusting deadlines effectively. Encourage open communication among team members to share updates, challenges, and successes. This feedback can provide insights into the accuracy of your time estimates and the efficiency of your processes. It allows you to make informed decisions about whether to recalibrate your deadlines or change your approach to ensure timely project completion. A robust feedback loop fosters a culture of continuous improvement, vital for success in mobile communications.
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Istvan Cselenyi
Head of Networks & Managed Services Delivery, Mid-Central Europe at Ericsson
My first mentor repeated an advice to junior PMs: "don't ask for delays as those will come anyway!" It means we should push progress in an agile way avoiding idle periods.
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