Make sure everyone on your team has a specific range of duties (i.e., an area of responsibility) and that relationships between team members are defined clearly. With a concise and complete definition of duties for all team members or subgroups, your team will be better equipped to work together and avoid the conflicts and confusion that are seen in ill-defined projects.

Do not restrict your tests of successful progress only to questions of schedules and budgets. You also need to look for signs of team conflict or confusion and be prepared to mediate, train, and support your team as needed. The intangible problems a team faces during the course of the project can cause more severe problems than a budget variance or missed deadline. The very quality of result, not to mention overall team satisfaction, will be affected by how well the team works together and understands its assignment.

Test what you can control. Problems created by outsiders cannot be solved by any actions you might take. You can only anticipate such problems and do your best to work around them. Testing is useful only to the extent that it allows you to manage the project and to prevent problems from arising.

Tackle the project with an action orientation. Take steps to solve short-term problems while keeping one eye on the final deadline. Encourage core team members to communicate with you regularly and advise you of upcoming problems.

Support your team in every important way. Review core team members' work, but also remember that the project's success depends on your being available when team members need help. Your availability to train and instruct, and to back up team members in every way, are leadership attributes that are essential in every project.