How effective expectation management works: your path to successful projects with Evernine

Clear expectations are essential in order to avoid misunderstandings and lead teams successfully. Effective expectation management is necessary to manage these. In this article, you can find out what project managers need to bear in mind here and how Evernine uses the one-voice approach to lead projects to success.

What expectations do employees have of their job? What do their superiors, team leaders, project managers and customers expect from them? Are the respective expectations consistent? These are crucial questions for companies! Because, as a recent Gallup study shows, gaps in expectations in the workplace cause anxiety, confusion and uncertainty. As a result, productivity suffers and staff turnover increases. Clearly formulated expectations, on the other hand, reduce staff turnover by almost a quarter and increase productivity by 10 percent.

Responsibility for project managers

Effective expectation management is a task that is primarily the responsibility of project managers. Despite its great importance for companies, this topic still receives too little attention. After all, expectations are a subjective and individual perception.

Dealing with the expectations of your own team members, superiors and customers is therefore a major challenge that requires intuition, listening and a willingness to learn.

Our experience shows: Successfully incorporating the expectations of all project participants requires a rethink in communication. Instead of having a separate contact person for each area such as marketing, HR, sales or PR, we at Evernine therefore think of all technological and creative areas together and manage expectations centrally via a fixed contact person!

We call this approach One Voice. Our customers receive the support they need – quickly, effectively and from a single source. Find out more about Evernine’s One Voice approach.

5 key aspects for successful expectation management

In order to successfully apply the key skill of expectation management in their respective projects, project managers should consider the following five main aspects:

• Understand the origin of expectations: Expectations can arise from uncertainties or formative experiences. Clear, decisive communication from the outset is crucial to avoid misunderstandings and stress.

• View project management as couples therapy: As with couples, misunderstandings can occur with work colleagues if expectations are not clearly communicated. PMs should act as neutral mediators and make everyone involved feel heard and valued.

• Foster relationships within the team: Emotional intelligence is essential for PMs. They should build trust and take different working styles into account. This also includes setting realistic but flexible deadlines.

• Create stable and flexible structures: Projects should be broken down into small, manageable steps to keep the structure flexible. This makes it possible to adapt to changing schedules and conditions.

• Align the team with the overall goal: A strong sense of community and a common goal improves performance. PMs should continually remind the team of the project’s mission, vision and goals.

One Voice – the key to successful projects

Effective expectation management is key for project managers to successfully manage both internal and external requirements. By understanding the origin of expectations, building relationships of trust within the team and adapting flexibly to changing circumstances, project managers form a bridge between the needs of the team and the customer.

Prudent expectation management is therefore not only an instrument for avoiding misunderstandings and conflicts, but also a decisive factor for a successful project.

“In our work at Evernine, we concentrate on making targeted expectation management a central element of our project work. This focus enables us to bring projects to a successful conclusion with a highly motivated team,” says Kathrin Drechsler, CMO and Head of Campaigns and Performance at Evernine.

“The interaction between team, one-voice manager and consultant is crucial. This integrative approach is the key to our numerous successful projects and satisfied customers.”

Are you ready for your first One Voice project? Use the full potential of Marketing, Sales, PR & HR! Download our One Voice Quick Guide now.

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