Use a proven tracking system. Several products exist to help you keep track of IT projects. Geukers and her IS team tried several formats for tracking their project, she recalls. We initially used MS Project to track and communicate progress, but found that the majority of non-IS people had trouble interpreting it. Eventually, they used Excel, Visio, or plain old word-processed task lists to keep people up to date, informed, and focused.
Some projects require more documentation than others.
American Honda's Jim Dinneen decided to keep every slip of paper related to the company's Y2K project. He admits that's unusual for an IT project, but he felt it was necessary because the company was aware that litigation was a real possibility. Roll with the punches. Change is inevitable in a long, complex project. Other factors beyond the project manager's control are bound to crop up.