Your Handy-Dandy Project Management Toolkit: Don't Leave Home (or Zoom) Without It!
In this fast-paced, deadline-chasing, stakeholder-pinging world of project management, you can’t just show up with vibes and a to-do list. You need a Handy-Dandy Project Management Toolkit that’ll make you the Beyoncé of the boardroom, the Olivia Pope of project cleanup, the quiet storm behind every deliverable drop.
I’m talkin’ tools that help you PLAN like a pro, EXECUTE like a boss, and COLLABORATE like a champion. And guess what? I’ve got the exact ingredients you need to build yours right now.
The Non-Negotiables for Your PM Toolkit
The Project Charter (aka your project passport)
This is your ‘why, what, when, who, and how much.’ No project should move without one. If your project was a flight, this would be your boarding pass.
A Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
I’m breaking it all the way down. No more vague “launch the thing” tasks. We’re talking about every moving part sliced and diced into manageable bites.
A Living, Breathing Project Plan
Gantt charts, timelines, deliverables, resource assignments this is your project Bible. Update it like your entire life depends on it.
Your Risk Register
Be like your granny; know what could go wrong before it ever does. Risk = Identified. Mitigation = Activated.
Communication Plan
People can’t read your mind. Who needs to know what, how often, and through what channels? Map it. Stick to it.
RAID Log
No, not bug spray lol 😂 I mean: Risks, Assumptions, Issues, Dependencies. This is your control center.
Weekly Status Report Template
Keep it real, keep it clear. What’s done? What’s next? What’s stuck? Bonus points if your updates don’t make people’s eyes glaze over.
Lessons Learned Tracker
You didn’t go through all those late nights and scope creep battles for nothing. Document the wins and the whoopsies. Future You will thank you.
💡 Kee’s Quick Tips to Make It Work
– Templatize EVERYTHING. Stop reinventing the wheel. Start reusing your brilliance.
– Use your voice. Make your reports sound like you: clear, confident, and honest.
– Get visual. Dashboards aren’t just for data nerds. They’re for smart PM’s who know the power of a good graph.
– Hold retrospectives. Let your team vent. Let your team shine and let the learning roll in.
– Make space for you. Your project won’t thrive if you’re burned out. Prioritize YOUR wellness too.
Kee’s Final Thought
Your Handy-Dandy Toolkit isn’t just about being prepared it’s about being powerful and proactive. It’s about walking into the chaos and creating clarity. It’s about setting your team up to win and walking out of every meeting like, “Y’all good? ‘Cause we did that.”
So the next time you’re starting a new project? Don’t just grab your laptop grab your toolkit too! Because you don’t just manage projects.
You move missions. You build legacy. You lead.
PML would like to extend a huge thank you to Kee Jones for sharing her knowledge and wisdom with the PML community! Learn more about her below and reach out to connect!
About the Author
Kee Jones – “Tech Innovator, Educator, and Advocate for Women in AI”
Kee Jones is a visionary leader dedicated to merging technology, education, and wellness to uplift underserved communities. She is Through all of her initiatives, Kee is still on a mission to create opportunities for Black and Brown communities, particularly for women and young girls aspiring to enter the technology sector.
She will continue to empower and inspire them to become intelligent by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive. She is passionate about bridging the gender and racial gap in AI, ensuring that Black girls and women have access to the latest innovations and tools in tech. Her work fosters creativity, critical thinking, and leadership preparing the next generation for a technology-driven future.
Kee extends her mission to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the technology industry. Her initiatives focus on breaking systemic barriers that have historically excluded marginalized communities from tech careers. She actively collaborates with industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to advocate for more inclusive hiring practices and tech education programs and exposure for the underserved.
Beyond technology, Kee is the Founder/CEO of RESET, a movement dedicated to helping women and men heal from trauma while embracing personal and professional transformation. By combining her tech expertise with a deep commitment to mental wellness, she provides them with tools and resources to reclaim their confidence, embrace self-love, and step into their purpose.
Kee’s professional background is as diverse as it is impactful. With 25 years of experience in healthcare, she has worked in various specialties, bringing excellence and innovation to the field. Her work in healthcare has shaped her passion for healthcare technology, where she explores the intersection of AI, data science, and patient care to improve medical outcomes for underserved populations.
Before transitioning fully into the tech industry, Kee spent 10 years in education, where she nurtured young minds and inspired lifelong learners. Her experience in education led her to create Visions Academy, an online tutoring and enrichment program that supports students in STEM, coding, and academic excellence. She remains committed to ethical AI practices in education, ensuring that technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion.
Kee is also a dedicated philanthropist and community leader. She served as the past president of the Optimist Club in Fort Knox, Kentucky, where she worked to enhance the quality of life for children in the community. Her passion for service extends beyond organizational leadership she is also deeply involved in mentoring young professionals, providing guidance on career development, financial literacy, and personal growth.
Additionally, Kee is an emerging voice in AI ethics and responsible innovation, actively participating in discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on marginalized communities. She believes in the importance of ensuring that AI is developed and implemented in ways that prioritize fairness, equity, and social responsibility.
As a tech entrepreneur, educator, and wellness advocate, Kee’s work continues to break barriers and redefine what’s possible for marginalized communities in the digital age. Whether through AI, education, healthcare tech, or community outreach, she remains dedicated to empowering others to thrive in both their personal and professional lives.
Reach out to Kee via her LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kee-jones-47088386/
And visit her website www.resetwithkee.com.
Or you can email her at info@resetwithkee.com.
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