Project manager habilities

The profile of the project manager is growing in strength and continues to accelerate. The current need to find competent technology professionals is on the rise in companies and projects. Today we will go through the qualities that every project manager displays in order to become a professional in project management.

Projects demand managers to adapt and respond to changes and/or conditions that may pose a problem in the life cycle of a project. Project managers are highly adaptable people, with a set of skills that places them as professionals in practice, experience and training.

We want you to become a project management professional, therefore, this article shows you the essential properties and skills that you will need in the world of project management.

What is a project manager like?

Project managers are largely responsible for the performance of the organization and its projects. A company needs to update itself often. Changes are constantly being introduced and are a strategic business transformation.

The PMI, Project Management Institute identifies the project manager as the one who "continuously balances five project "currencies": time, money, knowledge, safety and prestige. For a project to be perceived as successful, all stakeholders must feel that they received a positive exchange at the end of the project."

The project manager is the one responsible for organizing and planning these projects so that the company's ecosystem keeps on. A project manager is in charge of assembling all the pieces that make up the plan.

Human resources, planning, materials, technologies? In short, a project manager is the backbone that manages and adjusts the specific features and dimensions to plan-organize-execute-control any type of project. Efforts to develop these competencies will enable companies and project managers to meet the challenges of the changing environment and prepare for the future.

What does a project manager do?

When thinking of a manager, we picture a leader who is in charge of managing all aspects and features of a business plan; and so it is. The project manager is in charge of structuring the tasks and keeping the team and the project on budget and on schedule.

Developing a project plan

The power of creating a roadmap also belongs to the project manager. He is the one who builds and adjusts the elements that will lead the project to success.

The development of the plan depends on the manager's capabilities to manage and make the decisions that will determine the trajectory of the work.

Setting objectives and actions

A project manager defines the scope of the project, i.e., he/she will determine the actions necessary to achieve the company's or client's business objectives, giving meaning to the project.

At this stage, the PM will specify the next steps, taking into account deadlines, delivery, budget and business objectives. The PM will then train the team that will carry out the project.

Team management

It is also the manager's overall task to lead a team through the plan. He has to keep the group together, motivated and with clear objectives. The project manager's team management skills are essential. Leadership, positive attitude, support and motivation.

The project manager will guide the team towards the success of the project.

Risk management

Being able to identify, analyze and address the risks of a project is essential for the project manager. In all projects there are pitfalls to improve and control that keep the plan on track.

Being able to see the threats and establish strategies for change will reduce the chance of project failure.

Quality control

Applying changes and solutions to the results will also improve the processes of future projects. Evaluate the roadmap to monitor the situation and make final changes if necessary.

The project manager will also monitor whether the project objectives are being met throughout the project life cycle.

Skills

It is the project manager who must insist and motivate the team to achieve the project objectives. He/she will be in continuous contact with team members, clients or investors. That is the reason why he/she must be able to manage and control every situation.

For this purpose, it is necessary for project managers to acquire certain skills that revolve around knowledge, experience and personality.

Knowledge

The project manager must have social skills of negotiation, leadership and team building among others to be able to carry out the project. In addition, he/she must know the environment around and adapt to the changes that may come.

Remember that a project manager is in charge of the entire life cycle of a project, so their skills and knowledge must be some of the following, among others:

• Leadership
• Resolving capacity
• Decision making
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Life cycle management

Proven experience

How do I approach a project? A project manager needs experience to become a project manager professional (PMP). Learning how to manage risk, control damage and approaching the project are necessary qualities for a project manager.

• Strategic approach
• Ability to manage people
• Requirements definition

Personality

A manager's character is also important. How does a project manager behave? Some of the attributes revolve around the ability to engage with the team, motivate them and lead them to success.

• Adaptability to change
• Confidence and commitment
• Proactive attitude
• Open minded
• Reliable Creative
• Ability to influence
• Active listening

Interested in project management? Explore the opportunities we have at La Salle on how to become a Project Manager Professional.