Engineering Essentials Activity 1.2.4

Clarify your goal. What specifically do you hope to achieve as a result of this project? Goals give us direction and guide us in making decisions as we work through the project. 

Set a realistic schedule. Be sure to consider other activities and commitments you already have before lumping more onto your plate. 

Evaluate change before “just doing it.” Change is inevitable, and should be carefully considered beforehand.

Face setbacks with courage and resolve. Don't be discouraged if things don't work out the way you planned. Sometimes the hardest part about doing a project is sticking with it through difficult challenges. 

Verify results before considering the project done. This is an important final touch, and should be part of the plan. Be sure to allow time at the end, but before the deadline, to make any last-minute adjustments.

Celebrate a job well done! No matter how your project turns out, good, bad, or otherwise, always take time to celebrate your accomplishment for having made a plan and sticking to it.

To learn more about project management, review the Project Management resource.