A project manager is someone who is responsible for the planning and execution of a project. Their job is to make sure that a project is completed on-time and on-budget. To do their job well, they must also be very good at managing people.
The role of the project manager is forever evolving. In today’s world, the skills needed to be an effective project manager are changing as we are confronted with new technology, new ways to work and new methods of communicating. In today’s world, a project manager must be not only technically inclined, but also open and willing to look for technical solutions to make their projects a success.
The skills required for project management are many, but many that most of us already have. Here are the fundamental ones:
1. Communication
This is the most crucial skill for any job, not just project management. Being able to express yourself clearly to your team in a positive and direct way is a skill worth perfecting.
Further Reading:
- No-Fail' Project: Part II – Improving Team Communication
- How effective workplace communication can boost productivity
- Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Communication?
- Tips how to effectively handle miscommunication inside your team
- Build a Team Culture of Communication
2. Conflict Management
This particular skill is important because projects are often fraught with conflicts. Conflicts over resources, conflicts between team members, conflicts with stakeholders - the list goes on. Murphy’s law comes to mind when there is a big project to be completed because of the pressure to finish on-time: everything that can go wrong, will.
That’s when you step in with your super powers and make things all better so that the project can move forward.
Further Reading:
- Useful and simple ideas for PMs to motivate their team
- Pulling Together: 5 Ways to Get the Job Done Despite Internal Conflict
3. Political Savvy
Being political is not a bad thing. It means saying and doing things in a way to get what you want from everyone around you. From your team, vendors and stakeholders and bosses boss, you should know how to manage all of your professional relationships.
4. Stakeholder Management
You need to know what matters to your stakeholders so you can deliver the right information when needed. It’s important to understand their expectations and how to manage the ( ie. underpromise and over deliver) and how to communicate with them in the most effective way possible.
Further Reading:
5. Leadership
As a project manager, the majority of your time is not spent planning or analysing. It’s spent managing your team. If your team doesn’t see you as a leader, they won’t take you seriously. If they don’t take you seriously, you can bet they won’t take your project very seriously either.
Further Reading: