As a conclusion for successful project management, the following success factors for successful project management can be drawn:
1. Pay attention to good objective and charter clarification (responsibility here lies jointly with customer and contractor).
2. Provide adequate resources (personnel and funds) as well as time, in order to plan the forthcoming project. This investment will pay off.
3. Ensure that only experienced project managers occupy the key positions of the project, project management can only be learned to a very limited degree, much needs to be experienced in order to be understood.
4. Nevertheless, place a high value on ensuring that all those involved – and particularly those inexperienced in project management – are trained in the instruments and processes that are to be employed and have a basic knowledge of project management before they become involved in the project.
5. Do not reinvent the wheel each time, choose standardised instruments and processes throughout the company and promote their utilisation actively.
6. Ensure you have power seekers capable of looking at the bigger picture and overcoming departmental and cost centre mindsets.
7. Take care to ensure that communication works, both formally (reporting and documentation) and informally, i.e. that all participants talk to one another. Create communication possibilities beyond the official occasions (joint project office, coffee area, intranet-supported tools such as forums and video conference systems etc. for major projects).
8. Do not merely talk about risks, manage them accordingly, just as you should actively utilise your entire (project) environment at all times.
9. If you are the customer, demand regular reports (no data graveyards). Have necessary decisions prepared substantially with proven alternatives and then make a decision without avoidable delay.
10. If you are involved in the project team or project management, involve your contractor, report regularly, prepare your decisions substantially, pursue these and indicate alternative possibilities.