Best practices for project tracking

Most teams view the project update cycle as extra work that doesn't directly contribute to the project's execution. It is up to the Project Manager to dispel this view. Here are some best practices to keep the update process as smooth as possible:

• Make the update cycle as painless as possible with cooperation from the entire team. A team meeting specifically for this purpose will go a long way in setting up project tracking success.
• Keep things simple. Choose the simplest tracking technique that your project can get by with in order to get realistic data and avoid fictional updates. Percentage complete and remaining duration should be the minimum data you collect.
• The project update cycle begins right from the very first week of execution. Every aspect of the update cycle, including the frequency of updates and the format, is to be trialed and fine-tuned before execution chaos ensues.
• If you have to share weekly update...