My ten commandments in IT management

1. Customers and Sr. Management never likes surprises
• Things might not go as planned and it is ok, but communicate the bad news early on as risks and not as issues in the last minute.
• It gives a chance for senior management to mitigate the risks and prepare for contingency plans
• It helps management to set expectations on the delays with customer/business users.
2. Know the customer business and identify the problems
• Suggest solutions as you are the best person who knows all and can bring in your expertise
3. Use the strengths of the team
1. Every resource will have his strength, unless hopeless. Use them in projects well
2. Instead of cribbing and complaining, develop the weakness of the members
3. Identify the strengths and place them in the right project and role
4. Teach how to fish
• Mentor the team members in estimating, planning, tracking and communicating risks and issues and status of the tasks.
• This goes a long way in developing them into Architects, Leads and Managers
5. Importance of TO-DO list for each team member to track their work without follow-ups
6. Proactive Risk management and communication with stakeholders on risks and issues
7. Daily status check for deliverables and communication to management
8. Mentor them to always get peer reviews done for the deliverables as a standard process for an eye on quality
9. Trust the team member and cultivate ownership and accountability by each and every member
10. Prompt decision making on risks and issues as the highest priority

Somethings gets added as we experience new lessons in life

1. Emails to Customer/Vendor which involves financial implications should be drafted carefully

2. Stakeholder who takes the risks raised by Project Manager lightly and doesn't act, is risking the outcome of the project at PM's expense.