How To Deal With Poor Workers In The Workplace

In order to keep the relevant people informed, you must have regular and complete access to all information about the project: customer needs, objectives, plan, constraints, changes/risks and progress.

PRINCE2TM, the government-standard Project Management methodology, suggests that a system of ‘management products’ (documents used to make management more efficient) is set up.

For example, a Project Quality Plan relies on information about quality expectations provided by the Customer. The Quality Log is a record of quality checks performed by project staff. Both documents are necessary for effective management of product quality.

The PRINCE2TM method also recommends that Project Managers establish regular dates for Checkpoint Reports (detailing the progress of individual teams and team members) and Highlight Reports (documents prepared by the Project Manager, for the Project Board, describing overall project progress).

With disciplined adherence to a system of regular and focused communication, you will avoid the misunderstandings and delays that so frequently lead to project failure and ensure that all your project staff and stakeholders are secure in their knowledge of what has to be done, and who is doing it.

If Situation #2 appears, then you may have to take additional actions, such as:

•  Tell the worker that if their performance does not improve within a given time period, you will work with the line manager and take whatever disciplinary actions are necessary. You are giving them a chance for recovery.
• If the performance does not improve within the given time period, then provide the worker with an on-the-spot performance review and see to it that the functional manager receives a copy.
• Remove the worker from the project team. If you do not have the authority to do so by yourself, then it may be necessary to ask your sponsor for help.

Obviously, there are other issues that can cause poor work performance and there are other ways to handle the situation; this is just one option.