In this presentation, the author will discuss the challenges of managing multiple projects in terms of the project size, the project complexity level, and the difficulties from leading the project team across different geographies. The author will share the experiences of how to maintain the projects on track, how to successfully drive several projects simultaneously, and how to challenge as well as to be challenged during the project management. At the end of this presentation, the author will address the strategy of avoiding project overload and managing the work life balance.

1. Not Burned Out from Managing Multiple
Projects at the SameTime
Yuhong Cai
Sr. Packaging DevelopmentTeam Lead
Non-volatile Memory Solutions Group
Intel Corporation1

2. Agenda
• Key challenges from managing multiple projects
• How to drive several projects simultaneously and maintain them on track
• Manage the work life balance and avoid project overload
• Summary/Q&A
2

3. Challenges from Managing Multiple Projects
Different project size
• Big project: 2-3 years long
term projects, 15-20
people from different
teams
• Small projects: 2-4
months short term
projects, 5-10 people
Different risk level
• High risk: more technical
challenges, more people
to be managed
• Low risk: quick solution
available, routine work, a
lot of experience
• Risk from different areas:
limited material and
people resources,
technology readiness
Different geographies
• Language
• Time zone
• Culture
• Holiday schedule
3

4. Do not Get Frustrated and…
Aware of challenges
and stay focused
Well communicate
the challenges with
teams
Define risk mitigation
plan
4

5. Tips to MaintainYour Projects onTrack
Kick off your project
Prioritize your
projects
Monitor your projects on a
regular basis
Build buffer
in project
schedule
Resolve
issues
between
teams
Share
learnings &
resource btw.
projects
Manage
project
change &
impact
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6. Challenge vs. Be Challenged
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Get ready to challenge the team
1. Understand the project status before
meeting
• Review the meeting material
• Offline meetings with key stake
holder
• Prepare questions ahead of time
2. Well understand the discussion during
meeting
• Do not “multi-task”
• Ask questions and raise concerns
3. Challenge team to be more competitive
• Close project gap and mitigate risk
• Motivate team for higher
achievement
Get ready to be challenged
1. Challenge can become an inner drive
• Help yourself get out of comfort
zone and develop new skills
• Make people feel more engaged
2. Challenge yourself first
• Identify the room for improvement
• Find out the limitation: technology,
process, team’s capability, cost, etc.
3. Have realistic expectations and don’t
over commit yourself

7. Effective Delegation
Motivate employee by having
them lead the problem
solving. Provide the
opportunity for people to
develop
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Provide mentorship &
help remove road block
Never forget to award
people for the hard
work
Identify the right people for
problem solving. Assign
resource to support

8. Work Life Balance
1. Don’t hesitate to ask for help
2. Don’t hesitate to say “NO” to your manager, do
not overloaded by projects
3. Work with your team about your time off
schedule
4. Most time, your family life is more important
than your career development
Successful woman does not ruin her life for work
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9. Summary
• Managing multiple projects can be very challenging, project manager needs
to maintain focus and define the plan to mitigate project risk
• It is project manager’s responsibility to keep projects on track
1. Project manage tips
2. Get ready for challenges
3. Effective delegation
• It is very important to balance between your work and life
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