5 Key Steps to Get Your Project Done On Time and Within Budget
(c) Tracey Lawton 2005

CONGRATULATIONS! You've just received the telephone call to say that you've got that major project that you were hoping for. Next the hard work starts -- running it! And running it within timescales and budgets!! Are you prepared for it?

These are my five steps for setting up those KEY ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS and ensuring that you get that project done on time and within budget.

 # 1. Budget -- Get your budget together and map out how much you have to spend on each element of your project e.g. overheads, activities, staffing costs etc. Create columns to show Actual Budget, Estimated Budget, Balance and update it regularly.

# 2. Time sheets -- Set up time sheets for project staff and a system for distributing and receiving them. Then set up a system for monitoring time spent by staff members and overall time spent to date. Map this against what you submitted in the project proposal.

# 3. Expenses -- Plan a system for monitoring staff expenses incurred during the project i.e. travel, hotel accommodation, etc. Then set up a system for recording these expenses and show how they fit into the overall budget. Monitor this against actual budget spend.

# 4. Contact Management -- Running a big project requires you to come into contact with many different people. Ensure that your contact management database is up-to-date and easily accessible so that you can get the information you need when you want it.

# 5. Monthly/Weekly Project Overview -- The four tips above are the key administrative systems you need in place to run an effective project. Next, you need to pull all that information together so that you can monitor your project overall and ensure that you are meeting project deadlines and doing exactly what you said you would in your proposal!

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About the author:  Online Business Manager & Virtual Assistant, Tracey Lawton, supports professional speakers, coaches, and authors to operate an efficient, organized, and profitable business.  Learn how to create an efficient and organized office in 7 EASY steps, and receive free how-to articles at http://www.OfficeOrganizationSuccess.com

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