The Advantages of Having a Project Manager
Skilled project managers are invaluable to businesses
implementing complex, project-based processes completed by teams of workers.
This specialty fulfills an increasingly important role in countless companies.
With thousands of project manager openings currently
posted on major job-search sites, it's clear that project management is one of
today's fastest-growing professions.
Project Management in Business
The project manager's role varies according to
industry and individual business, but at its heart, project management entails
balancing a project's timeframe, budget and overall scope as the team works to
meet its objectives. Project managers oversee the individual tasks that move a
project toward completion, so its ultimate success or failure depends in large
part on the project manager's competency.
In companies where projects are frequently late, over budget
or fail to meet their objectives, hiring a skilled project manager can
improve productivity and morale - and often leads to greater profitability.
A Project Manager's Role
Generally, a project manager's assignments fall under the
wide umbrella of "keeping a project on goal." This can mean working
with a wide variety of people, from C-level executives to hourly support staff.
A project manager must define what a project will achieve -
and then ensure it meets those goals. The first step is to estimate the time,
human and capital resources, and steps needed. Then, the project manager forms
the teams to carry out the tasks - and leads them toward completion. Project
managers provide much-needed direction to ensure that at every phase of the
project, each contributor knows what's expected.
Project managers communicate with upper management and
outside vendors and clients as needed. In fact, proactive communication is one
of a project manager's most important functions.
Project Definition - From the Start
Defining the concept, goals, approach and reason for a given
project is crucial to its success. Before launch, the project manager
communicates these definitions to stakeholders and obtains their agreement and
support. All resources, risks and benefits are identified, and contingency and
communication plans are outlined.
The project plan, budget and schedule
are based on available resources, deliverables, and company or client
priorities. Project managers typically use professional software packages in
the complex planning and monitoring stages. Network diagrams illustrate the project's
critical paths to completion.
Project managers monitor the project at each stage,
analyzing progress and communicating to upper management and others involved,
including sub-contractors in external organizations. As goals change or
unexpected risks arise, the plan is amended to reflect scheduling, budget and
other modifications.
Project Managers and Motivation
Good project managers provide the motivation team members
need to help bring a project to successful completion. Among the advantages of
having a project manager:
Poor project management can create stress among project
contributors and lead to higher turnover.
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Most people are happier working on productive teamswith
good communication and clearly-defined goals.
Good project managers use established processes to
proactively deal with the surprises and challenges that come with any complex
project.
When team members see a competent leader handling
each crisis, it can be inspiring and motivating. Workers who know that clear
direction and communication will be part of their job every day more likely to
perform at their best.
Leadership: An Important Project Manager Attribute
Because teams need strong leaders, the most successful
project managers are also decisive, inspiring leaders. When these essential skills are
lacking, morale and productivity can drop, along with sales and profits.
Project Manager Skill Set
Strong project managers are proficient in these areas:
Math and analysis
Delegation
Organization
Coordination
Technical ability
Communication
Along with the essential skills above, outstanding project
managers usually possess these work style traits:
Flexibility
Assertiveness
Confidence
Extroversion
Risk tolerance
Composure, especially under pressure
Decisiveness
Companies Need the Advantages of Project Managers
Few companies can fulfill sales and profit goals, efficiency
and productivity objectives, and shareholder expectations without skilled
project managers. An excellent project manager's leadership can result in
higher morale, a greater sense of ownership and professionalism among team
members, and increased productivity and profitability.
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