Starting any project is easy. Everything is new and shiny. Enthusiasm and motivation is high. The team are ready and eager to get stuck in. However, once the initial excitement has fizzled out the real work begins.

The first phase of any project often requires a huge effort to get it moving. It’s like turning a heavy flywheel; it requires a lot of effort to begin with, but once it starts to turn it gets progressively easier. But how do you build momentum in a complex project?

The initial steps of the project are critical. Those first tasks lay the foundations for the entire project and it’s vital they are done right. In the urgency to get things moving, these steps can be easily overlooked or rushed in the haste to get things done.

However, these early small wins and achievements by the team can create critical momentum for the entire project. The team’s contributions will start snowballing into larger and more complex achievements which in turn creates more momentum.

Recognising the wins, regardless of their size, also increases the confidence of the team. By pausing briefly and taking stock of what has been achieved, it can reassure them that they are on the right track and how individual jobs are all contributing to the overall goal or milestone.

Building the team’s confidence has many benefits including better decision making, faster problem solving and a willingness to push boundaries or try new things. All this can help the team overcome unforseen problems quickly and effectively.

Generating and maintaining project momentum is an essential element of any successful technical endeavour. Getting those initial steps right and acknowledging the team’s early contributions can have a huge positive impact on the overall success of the project.