Project Management Best Practices

Overview

Effective project management in Corcava requires understanding core principles and implementing proven workflows. This guide covers essential best practices to help you maximize productivity, maintain client relationships, and deliver successful projects consistently.

Project Setup Best Practices

Clear Project Naming

Use descriptive, consistent naming conventions for your projects:

• Include client name - Makes projects easy to identify
• Include project type - e.g., "Website Redesign", "Marketing Campaign"
• Use consistent format - e.g., "Client Name - Project Type"
• Avoid abbreviations - Unless universally understood by your team

Proper Client Association

Always link projects to the correct client:

• Verify client exists before creating project
• Use client hierarchy for organizations with multiple contacts
• Set billing preferences at project creation
• Configure access permissions based on client needs

Team Assignment

Assign team members thoughtfully:

• Include all stakeholders who need visibility
• Set appropriate permissions - not everyone needs full access
• Assign project owner - clear accountability
• Review team composition regularly as projects evolve

Task Management Best Practices

Task Organization

Structure tasks effectively:

• Use clear task titles - descriptive and actionable
• Break down large tasks - smaller, manageable pieces
• Set realistic estimates - based on historical data
• Use task dependencies - show relationships between work items

Task Prioritization

Prioritize work strategically:

• Use priority levels consistently across projects
• Focus on high-value tasks first
• Balance urgent vs. important work
• Review priorities regularly as requirements change

Task Assignment

Assign tasks thoughtfully:

• Match skills to tasks - assign based on expertise
• Consider workload - avoid overloading team members
• Set clear deadlines - realistic and communicated
• Provide context - include relevant information in task descriptions

Communication Best Practices

Regular Updates

Keep stakeholders informed:

• Update task status regularly and accurately
• Add comments when context is needed
• Use @mentions to notify specific team members
• Share progress with clients through client portal

Documentation

Document important information:

• Use task descriptions for requirements and context
• Add comments for decisions and changes
• Attach files when relevant
• Maintain project notes for key information

Time Tracking Best Practices

Accurate Time Entry

Track time consistently:

• Track time daily - don't wait until end of week
• Use desktop app for automatic tracking when possible
• Add notes to time entries for context
• Categorize correctly - billable vs. non-billable

Time Review

Review time regularly:

• Check time entries for accuracy
• Identify time leaks - where time is being lost
• Compare estimates vs. actual - improve future estimates
• Bill promptly - don't let billable time accumulate

Project Monitoring Best Practices

Regular Reviews

Review projects regularly:

• Check project health - status, budget, timeline
• Review team workload - ensure balanced distribution
• Monitor budgets - catch overruns early
• Track milestones - ensure on-time delivery

Reporting

Use reports effectively:

• Generate project reports for client updates
• Review team performance reports regularly
• Analyze time data to improve estimates
• Track profitability by project and client

Client Relationship Best Practices

Transparency

Maintain transparency with clients:

• Share project boards through client portal
• Provide time reports for billable work
• Send regular updates on progress
• Communicate changes promptly

Professional Communication

Communicate professionally:

• Use client portal for formal communication
• Respond promptly to client inquiries
• Set expectations clearly at project start
• Document agreements in project notes

Automation Best Practices

Workflow Automation

Automate repetitive tasks:

• Set up automation rules for common workflows
• Use templates for similar projects
• Automate notifications for important events
• Streamline approvals with automated workflows

Integration

Connect with other tools:

• Integrate calendar for meeting scheduling
• Connect email for communication tracking
• Link storage for file access
• Sync payment gateways for invoicing

Summary

Following these best practices will help you:

• Deliver projects on time and within budget
• Maintain strong client relationships through transparency
• Improve team productivity with clear organization
• Increase profitability through accurate time tracking
• Scale your operations with automation and integration

Start implementing these practices today to transform your project management workflow.