PL (Project Lead) Training Manual
Prepared by: ITA
Introduction
A Project Lead serves as the bridge between the project manager and the development team. They are responsible for guiding, supporting, and ensuring the team performs efficiently while maintaining a healthy and positive work environment.
Key Responsibilites
- Task Management
- WBS (Work Break-down Structure)project tasks into manageable units
- Assign tasks based on team member's strengths and workload
- Monitor task progress and ensure timely completion
- Team Coordination
- Facilitate daily stand-ups and sprint planning sessions
- Ensure smooth collaboration among developers, designers, and testers
- Track blockers and assist team members in resolving them
- Technical Mentorship
- Review code and enforce coding standards
- Help junior members with technical problems
- Promote best practices (e.g., code versioning, testing, CI/CD)
- Performance Monitoring
- Track individual and team performance
- Give regular feedback and conduct one-on-one check-ins
- Identify skill gaps and suggest training or resources
- Communication
- Act as the primary point of contact between the team and the project manager
- Ensure clear understanding of project goals and updates
- Document decisions, changes, and team input clearly
- Conflict Resolution
- Address internal team conflicts constructively
- Foster a respectful and inclusive team culture
- Quality Assurance
- Ensure that code and features meet quality and security standards
- Encourage peer reviews and proper testing procedures
Required Skills
| Skill Category |
Description |
| Technical Expertise |
Proficiency in project tech stack; strong debugging and design skill |
| Leadership |
Inspire and guide the team; lead by example |
| Communication |
Clear and consistent communication with team and management |
| Problem Solving |
Help unblock team members quickly and creatively |
| Time Management |
Prioritize team workload and deliverables efficiently |
| Emotional Intelligence |
Understand and support team members emotionally and professionally |
Daily Workflow
| Time |
Activity |
| Morning |
- Daily stand-up meeting (SCRUM)
- Review task board (Jira/Trello/etc.)
|
| Midday |
- Check progress, support developers
- Attend cross-functional syncs
|
| Afternoon |
- Code review
- Support team issues/blockers
- Sync with PM
|
| End of Day |
- Document updates
- Update PM/team on progress
|
Best Practices
- Keep stand-ups short and focused
- Document everything clearly (task updates, changes, issues)
- Focus on mentoring over micromanaging
- Recognize and appreciate team efforts
- Promote knowledge sharing (pair programming, code walkthroughs)
- Maintain a balance between delivery and developer well-being
Weekly/Monthly Responsibilities
| Timeframe |
Responsibilities |
| Weekly |
- Sprint planning/review
- Team sync-up
- Check individual progress
|
| Bi-weekly |
- Code quality review
- Knowledge sharing session (internal)
|
| Monthly |
- 1-on-1 feedback sessions
- Review team performance and goals
|
Onboarding Checklist for New Project Leads
- Understand current project status and team structure
- Review ongoing tasks, sprint boards, and milestones
- Meet each team member for a brief one-on-one
- Review documentation and tech stack
- Attend alignment meeting with Project Manager/Product Owner
- Understand escalation process and reporting structure
Conclusion
Stepping into the role of a Project Lead is both a responsibility and an opportunity. As a leader, you are not just responsible for delivering high-quality work—you are also a key force in shaping the culture, morale, and growth of your team.
This manual has outlined the essential responsibilities, skills, and best practices to help you navigate the role effectively. While tools, technologies, and processes may evolve, the core principles of leadership—communication, empathy, accountability, and collaboration—remain timeless.
