How to cook up your dream project team

When you are first presented with your new project, undoubtedly one of the first things on your mind is how to get the best people on the case as soon as possible. Building a dream project team can be very much like cooking a fine three course meal, because it needs the right ingredients, a good amount of time invested and a really great chef. That’s you, by the way.

Here is some helpful guidance to how you can mix up your perfect project team to create something worthy of Masterchef (or is it the Apprentice?) at the end of the process.

1. Get a shopping list togetherr
You wouldn’t start cooking up a storm in the kitchen without going shopping for the ingredients first, so why start building a project team without knowing what you need. Be specific about what sort of people you need and why, and start building up a picture of the skills and resources you need on your team.

2. Go shoppingr
Once you know who you need, it’s time to go out and find them. There are a few criteria to apply here to help you find just the right ingredients for your project.

• What’s your favourite flavour: In the same way that flavours are a matter of personal preference, so you will have your favourite personalities and characters around you. Don’t overlook the importance of getting along with team members, you’re going to be spending a lot of time together.

• Where are you looking: If you can’t find the perfect ingredients locally, broaden your horizons. With good project management software like Wrike and simple platforms like oDesk and People Per Hour to help find your team, finding the perfect specialist for your needs doesn’t need to be limited to your area, or even your country.

• Balance it out: Diversity is a good thing, and successful project teams will often be a mix of rookies and experienced workers.

3. Cook it to perfectionr
Putting a team together is one thing, but as project manager you’ll need to bake your workers carefully to keep everything at its optimum level. Pulling everyone together into a cohesive team is all part of the process. Here are some ideas for how to do this:

• Set up a kickoff meeting to introduce everyone to each other. Get them enthused about the project and plugged in to organisational goals.

• Be there, without being there: Keep your eye on things, but don’t overcrowd your team. Workers who feel they are being watched too closely tend to achieve less and perform worse. Be there when they need you but without being too intrusive.

• Create a productive atmosphere: Trust, openness and fun are all critical ingredients to add to the mix if you are going to get the best from your dream team.
• Encourage professional growth: Don’t limit your team to the things they are already competent with. Consider sending them on a project management course if some of their PM skills are not up to scratch. Good project management training will allow them space for personal and professional growth and let you discover their hidden talents.