Any project manager’s primary responsibility is to organize people and manage various tasks in order to achieve a specific goal. The nature of that goal or “project” can vary greatly. It can be the completion of a building or remodel, or the execution of an interior design scheme; it can also be the publication of a report or the organization of a conference. Managers share some universal characteristics, despite the fact that their environments may be very different. For one thing, they all revolve around managing people, and they all necessitate a broad view of the individual tasks that must be completed in order to achieve the goal. Setting a master plan of action and ensuring that all the pieces are in place to see that plan through to completion is a large part of a project manager’s job.
Overarching Goals
Leaders who organize action in a specific direction are known as project managers. They are usually given a specific task to complete and then given a staff — often referred to as a “team” — to assist them in achieving that goal. Managers usually begin breaking down the larger end-goal into smaller components, then setting internal deadlines for each component’s completion. Calendaring, as well as regular staff reviews and pep talks, if necessary, are important aspects of the job.
Many project management experts believe that a manager must strike a balance between four main areas in order to be successful. He or she must be aware of the project’s scope. The manager must find the appropriate people and materials and make effective use of them. All tasks must be planned ahead of time to ensure that they are completed on time. In addition, the project manager must ensure that the project is completed within the allocated budget.
Coordination’s Importance
Personnel coordination is one of the most important aspects of a project manager’s job. The manager must be able to form effective and motivated teams that consistently produce high-quality work. Managers must be able to delegate tasks and responsibilities, and they must be willing to intervene and make changes if a problem or delay arises.
To successfully coordinate a project, the project manager must be aware of what each team member is doing and whether or not they will meet their deadlines. Many project managers use specialized software to keep track of this. Team members can use this software to talk about the project, see project to-do lists and who is responsible for what tasks, and share files and documents. Managers can also use it to see which tasks are on track and where the project stands financially. Large projects and teams benefit greatly from this type of software.
Conceptual Projects in the Office
The majority of projects that require the attention of a manager in corporate and other offices involve research and writing. Shareholder reports, major summaries of findings, and publications produced scientific labs or non-profit organizations are frequently complex endeavors requiring numerous steps to complete from the “idea stage” to completion. In these situations, project managers usually serve as information coordinators, ensuring that all of the necessary elements are in place.
Office projects typically necessitate a lot of face-to-face collaboration, which is usually organized the project manager. He or she keeps track of who is doing what scheduling interviews or electronically tracking progress, which is usually done through databases or digital communication such as e-mail. Team leaders are usually in charge of final product preparation, which includes proofreading and last-minute changes. The manager is usually responsible for the project’s success or failure, and he or she must be able to justify all decisions to corporate superiors.
Physical Project Execution
When the project is something tangible, such as a construction or landscaping project, it is often much easier to see the day-to-day operations of a project manager. Managers typically serve as site leaders in these situations, ensuring that all team members have a job and understand exactly what they are responsible for. This type of leader is usually in charge of obtaining all necessary tools and supplies, as well as serving as a liaison between those who own the land or building being worked on and those who are coordinating the work. This job frequently necessitates a mix of office-based planning and on-site visits and coordination.
Required Qualifications and Experience for the Position
To get a job as a project manager, you usually need a lot of experience. Managers are typically chosen from within an organization, based on their actual experience managing and coordinating the type of work that needs to be managed and coordinated. A lot depends on the industry and the project in question, but advanced education in the field of interest, as well as business or personnel management, can be beneficial.
Many people who want to work as project managers enroll in classes to become certified. A variety of schools offer programs, but the Project Management Institute’s Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely recognized. Companies that hire outside project managers are increasingly mentioning these credentials specifically in their job advertisements.