Back into the Routine: Delivering on Time at Quality

As summer winds down and the school year begins, we all find ourselves getting "back into the routine." For many families, this is the time to reset schedules and refocus on key priorities. But this return to routine isn’t just about families and school—it’s a great metaphor for how businesses can re-align themselves for reliable delivery, especially in game development.

In game development, "delivering on time" and "at quality" are more than just buzzwords—they’re the foundation of success. After all, no game makes it to market without a dedicated team, focused planning, and reliable processes. This is where a Project Management Office (PMO) comes into play. For many companies, the PMO acts as the central nervous system of project delivery, keeping everything on track and making sure that teams meet deadlines while delivering at a high level of quality.

Re-Establishing a Routine for Reliable Delivery

So, how do we tie the "back to school" theme into reliable delivery? Just like a well-structured school day keeps students on task, a well-organized development process ensures that game projects stay on course. Here are a few strategies that can help your team hit deadlines while maintaining top-notch quality:

1. Initiative Management: Just as students have a curriculum to follow, teams need clear priorities to stay focused. By ensuring your organization is working on the right initiatives—those that align with your strategic goals—you can avoid distractions and get the most important things done first. This helps prevent scope creep and keeps everyone aligned.

2. Clear Planning & Execution: Much like a classroom runs on schedules, your game development process should follow a structured plan. Whether you're using a stage-gate model or a scaled agile approach, having a clear execution framework is key to ensuring that every phase of development is accounted for and that risks are addressed early.

3. Handling Change Requests with Care: Change is inevitable, just as students occasionally need to adjust their study plans. The goal isn’t to avoid change entirely but to manage it smartly. A structured change control process ensures that any adjustments to the project don’t derail the entire plan.

4. Maintaining Momentum: One of the hardest things when getting back into a routine is regaining momentum. In game development, momentum is equally important. Tracking progress regularly and celebrating small wins can help keep the team motivated and prevent burnout, especially during crunch times.

5. Communication & Support: Just as teachers communicate regularly with students and parents to ensure success, teams need clear communication channels and solid support systems to keep everyone informed and on track. Regular updates, transparent reporting, and responsive support systems all contribute to keeping the project running smoothly.

Getting Back to Business After Disruption

The "back to school" season is the perfect reminder that routines matter. Whether your team has been disrupted by summer holidays, reorganization, or other factors, now is the time to get back into the swing of things. Reassessing your processes, making sure everyone is clear on priorities, and tightening up delivery practices will help ensure that your projects are delivered on time and at the quality your players expect.

In the end, delivering consistently and reliably is much like getting a classroom full of students to learn and succeed: it takes planning, structure, and flexibility. By focusing on these areas and re-aligning your routine, your game development team can deliver projects that meet deadlines and exceed expectations.

If it's time to get back into a routine of reliable delivery in your organization, you may find the groundwork laid out in the free Game Dev PMO Blueprint to be helpful.