Tips to Improve Your Project Management Skills

As a legal professional, mastering project management is essential for delivering exceptional results. With the legal sector projected to grow by just 2% this year according to the LexisNexis Gross Legal Product (GLP) Index, having strong project management skills can help set you apart in a competitive environment. Managing complex cases, coordinating resources, and communicating effectively with clients and colleagues all require a solid foundation in project management.

Whether you’re handling high-stakes litigation, overseeing corporate transactions, or juggling multiple client matters, integrating effective project management into your practice will enable you to stay organised, meet deadlines, and exceed client expectations.

Why project management should be on your radar

Project management is more than just a buzzword – it’s an important skill that can help you manage your workload effectively, and with confidence. By mastering project management, you can streamline your processes, reduce stress, and improve your overall efficiency, all of which are critical in a legal career. Incorporating project management principles into your legal practice not only enhances personal efficiency but also directly impacts the quality and timeliness of legal services delivered to clients

In a guest post for Legal Futures, Rinesh Pankhania, Senior Legal Project Manager at Pinsent Masons Vario, highlights the rapidly growing adoption of legal project management techniques and roles within the legal industry too. He notes that even large law firms, which traditionally focused more on legal expertise than on structured management practices, are now recognising the value of these skills. With globalisation driving increased complexity in an already intricate legal sector and raising client expectations, law firms are increasingly turning to project management to ensure that legal teams deliver high-quality outcomes efficiently and on time.

Supporting this perspective, our recent BARBRI Barometer SME Report revealed that some of the top skills SME law firms are looking for are time management (31%) and problem-solving (27%) – both of which are key elements of effective project management. These findings underscore the necessity for lawyers to develop strong project management capabilities, not only to enhance their own effectiveness but also to add significant value to their firms. By mastering project management, lawyers can better manage their time, tackle complex legal challenges, and ultimately drive better outcomes for their clients.

Scoping time and resource requirements

When you take on a new project, one of the first things you’ll need to do is get a clear sense of what’s required. This means scoping out the time, resources and potential challenges involved. It might feel overwhelming at first, but with a structured approach you can break it down into manageable pieces. Failing to do this can lead to common pitfalls such as missed deadlines, budget overruns, or resource misallocations which can be detrimental to the outcome of a case and have a significant impact commercially - and not in a good way.

Pankhania also emphasised that taking the time to thoroughly scope a project from the outset is crucial to avoid common pitfalls later on. He suggests that this approach not only helps in identifying the necessary resources but also in anticipating potential challenges that could derail the project.

Actionable tips:

1. Break it down

 Start by dividing the project into smaller tasks, each with its own timeline. This will help you stay on top of what needs to be done and make the whole process less daunting.

2. Leverage tools 

Project management tools like Microsoft Project or Asana can be your best friends here. Use them to track progress, set reminders, and adjust timelines as needed.

3. Plan for challenges

Ask yourself, ‘What could slow us down?’ or ‘Where might we hit a challenge?’ By anticipating potential issues early on you can plan around or for them and keep things on track.

Managing stakeholders and communication

Good communication is at the heart of every successful project. As a lawyer, you’re often the point of contact between your clients, your team and other stakeholders so understanding different communication styles is key, as is keeping everyone in the loop. How you handle this can make or break a project. Effective stakeholder management involves not just clear communication but also a deep understanding of client needs and expectations, ensuring that everyone is aligned towards the same goals.

Pankhania also pointed out that proactive communication can prevent misunderstandings and build trust, which is essential for maintaining strong working relationships and ensuring project success.

Actionable tips:

1. Set clear communication channels

Decide early on how you’ll keep in touch with your team and your clients. Will it be regular emails, weekly calls, or something else? Consistency is key.

2. Keep it simple 

Not everyone speaks legalese, so make sure what you communicate is clear and easy to understand. This is especially important when you’re dealing with clients who may not be familiar with day to day legal jargon.

3. Be proactive

Don’t wait for problems to arise – regular updates can prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone on the same page.

Risk management

Every legal project comes with its own set of risks, from unexpected legal challenges to shifting client demands. Your job is to identify these risks early and develop strategies to manage them effectively. Failing to address risks early on can lead to significant disruptions, potentially affecting case outcomes or client satisfaction.

Actionable tips:

1. Identify risks early

You can’t plan for everything but before you dive into a project take some time to think about what could go wrong. By identifying potential risks upfront, you can put plans in place to deal with them.

2. Create backup plans 

For each risk you identify, have a contingency plan – it can be helpful to map out potential scenarios to help tackle this. This way if something does go wrong you’ll be prepared to handle it without derailing the project.

3. Keep monitoring

Don’t just set it and forget it. Keep an eye on potential risks as the project progresses and adjust your plans as needed – great communication will help here too.

Leveraging technology to streamline your work

Incorporating technology into your project management approach can save you time and help you manage your workload more effectively. Whether it’s case management software or document automation tools, the right tech can make a big difference. However, always remember to ensure that the technology you adopt adheres to data security standards, protecting client confidentiality and maintaining the integrity of your legal practice.

Actionable tips:

1. Ask

If you don’t know what tools to use, ask someone that can help – IT departments can be super helpful in signposting you to tools, and knowing which ones are already available or those that can integrate with existing systems.

2. Adopt the right tools 

Look into tools like Clio or MyCase for managing documents if you don’t already use them, you probably have time tracking already set up, and keep client communication streamlined.

3. Automate where you can

Automating routine tasks like document creation can free up more of your time for the strategic work that really matters, so figure out what can be automated or tech that can help make life easier.

4. Stay up-to-date 

The world of legal tech is always evolving so keep an eye out for new tools that could help you work more efficiently. This Legal Tech Trends report from Henchman is a great place to start with expert views and tech stacks to draw upon.

Building a project management mindset for long-term success

Mastering project management skills is essential for any lawyer who wants to excel in today’s legal environment. By learning how to scope projects accurately, manage stakeholders effectively, anticipate and mitigate risks, and leverage technology to streamline your work, you can deliver exceptional results for your clients while also making your job more manageable and rewarding.

Remember, these skills aren't just about ticking boxes – they're about enhancing your ability to deliver value consistently and efficiently. As you continue to develop these skills, you’ll find that they not only improve your day-to-day work but also position you as a key player in your organisation’s success.

The legal landscape is evolving, and so must your approach to managing the complexities of your practice. By adopting a project management mindset, you're not just keeping up with the demands of the profession - you're setting yourself up for long-term success.