From concept to delivery: The role of project management in packaging
Project management is an essential skill for every packaging specialist. Packaging experts can use project management to bring plenty of benefits to the table.
The benefits of having project managers in the packaging world:
- Improved efficiency and productivity: Project management can help streamline operations and minimize waste, resulting in increased efficiency and production.
- This can be accomplished by identifying and eliminating redundant processes in the packaging process, as well as employing project management tools to monitor progress and identify bottlenecks.
- Customer satisfaction: Project managers can improve customer satisfaction by ensuring that projects are finished on time, within budget, and to the needed quality standards. Customers are more likely to be happy when a product or service is supplied as promised.
- Reduced risk: Project management can assist in identifying and minimizing hazards, lowering the possibility of project failure. This is accomplished by recognizing potential risks early in the project and devising strategies to mitigate them.
- For example, the project manager can identify the packages that are likely to be damaged and recommend using a corner board and other protective units.
- Increased profitability: Project management can assist in boosting profits by boosting efficiency, productivity, and customer happiness.
- This is because more efficient and productive businesses can produce more items or services for a cheaper cost. Furthermore, delighted clients are more inclined to stay with a company and do business again.
Project management methodologies you can use in the packaging world:
There are numerous project management approaches that you can employ in the packaging industry. Some of the most prominent approaches are:
Waterfall
The waterfall methodology is a linear approach in which each stage of the project must be completed before the next one can begin. You use this methodology in projects that are well-defined and have a specific scope.
Agile
Agile methodology is an iterative approach to project management. The project is divided into tiny, manageable tasks that can be accomplished quickly and efficiently. You use this methodology when you have complex projects with a high level of uncertainty.
Hybrid
The hybrid methodology combines waterfall and agile methods. This methodology is frequently used for projects that include parts of both well-defined and complex requirements.
Tricks on how to be a successful packaging project manager
You want to be a star in your industry, right? And it’s possible. To help you out, here are measures you can put in place to ensure that you are a successful project manager:
Make use of a project management system
Using project management tools can make a significant difference in your project.
Tips to having a great time with a management system
- Get a software program that automates tasks and enables all team members to collaborate in one spot. The beauty is that there are many programs to choose from. Before deciding on the ideal program to go for, take your time to research.
- Go for a program that provides straightforward packaging project management and user-friendly features that even temporary team members can use with minimal training.
- The program should handle recurrent duties such as alerts and progress reports, which are typically handled via complicated and time-consuming emails. Such a program will save you a significant amount of time and labor while also reducing risk.
Have an anti-risk group in place
Issues that appear to be minor might become major headaches in the future. To be on the safe side, you should keep your eyes out for these issues so that you can pick them up when they are in their early stages and fix them before they become problematic.
Common problems an anti-risk group will pick up
- One of the most common issues that might come about is having two or more separate sets of addresses and countries of origin, which would affect the packaging design differently on different packs. You might not be able to pick this if you are doing everything by yourself, but if you have a team with you, you will easily identify the issue and fix it, which comes in handy in keeping the project on track.
When you are doing your work, always remember that dealing with a known danger is easier than dealing with an unknown one; therefore, always consult the organization about what could go wrong with the project.
- Packing the wrong items, sending the wrong items, the items getting damaged, sending the items to the incorrect address, are some of the other things that can go wrong.
You should map the unknowns such that, while you don’t know the exact changes, you can comprehend their nature and probability. You should then monitor the progress of the issue and plan for anticipated modifications.
Leave room for changes
Changes are inevitable, so you should be ready for them. Typically, these modifications affect not just the work in progress but also previously done work, potentially causing havoc in the project.
Tips to ensure you have room for changes
- Instead of allowing changes to cause project delays, you should be flexible in your work. By maintaining a slightly faster overall project pace, you can halt the project and address any modifications needed. The ideal outcome is to finish early. The worst-case scenario is to revoke and re-implement.
Involve the necessary parties
Decisions will need to be made as circumstances evolve.
How to involve the relevant decision-makers
When it comes to implementing packaging options, decision-makers frequently move on, making them difficult to reach.
- An excellent strategy is to schedule quick decision meetings on a regular basis throughout the project. Before the meeting, you should present a clear summary of the problem and potential solutions to allow for speedy judgments.
- As the project proceeds, you will require fewer of these sessions, giving decision-makers more time for other tasks.
Parting shot
There is no denying that project management has plenty of benefits to bring to the packaging world. If you are a project manager, you need to carefully analyze the project at hand and decide the best management methodology to go with.
For your project to be a success, you need to follow the tips we have mentioned above. As a rule of thumb, make use of a project management system that will not only make your work easy but also come in handy in reducing the risk of making expensive losses.
