What Does a Project Manager Do? | Key Responsibilities & Skills

A project manager leads a team to fulfil the outcomes and deliverables of a business project.

What Is a Project Manager?

A project manager is a team leader tasked with managing the project team members on a specific project within a business. A project manager, also called a PM, ensures the project team completes a project by the deadline to the best of their abilities toward achieving the larger business outcomes the project was implemented to achieve.

Project management entails dividing the project budget, setting project milestones for the team to reach deadlines, and hiring or selecting team members who are best suited to the project’s needs.

What Does a Project Manager Do?

A project manager is like a captain steering a ship through various seas, ensuring that the crew works together, stays on course, and reaches the destination on time. Here are some of the project manager’s key responsibilities:

Communicate with Stakeholders

The project manager corresponds with the project’s stakeholders about the full scope of the project. They also manage expectations and keep stakeholders updated with the project status and progress. This involves regular meetings, reports, and presentations.

Connect Different Departments

A project manager must make and maintain lines of communication among different departments working on the project, ensuring they can execute on deliverables. This means coordinating efforts between teams like marketing, finance, and IT, making sure everyone is on the same page.

Establish a Timeline and Milestones

The project manager sets a timeline for the project, which includes important milestones to meet. This helps the person in this role gauge whether the team can complete the project by the deadline. The project manager must also manage changes in the timeline if circumstances dictate.

Hiring or Recruiting a Project Team

A project manager is responsible for hiring internally or recruiting freelancers to work on the team for the duration of the project. Selecting the right people for the job is crucial to the project’s success.

Manage the Budget

A PM allocates money from the project budget and makes sure the project is on track to stay within the set budget. This involves careful planning and continuous monitoring of expenditures.

Measure Success Using KPIs

Project managers use KPIs (key performance indicators) to measure whether their projects are successful against relevant metrics. Project management software helps PMs track their KPIs and project success over the entire project schedule.

Qualifications Needed to Become a Project Manager

Becoming a project manager requires a blend of education, skills, and experience. Here are some important qualifications and skills:

Education

A bachelor’s degree in project management or business management is not necessary to start a career as a project manager. However, it can help you stand out in a crowded job market. Courses in these fields provide foundational knowledge that is beneficial for managing projects.

Excellent Communication Skills

Project managers must be excellent communicators in both their speaking and writing. A PM must speak clearly about the project to their team and to external stakeholders. This ensures everyone understands the project goals and their role in achieving them.

Leadership Skills

A vital project management skill is the ability to lead a team. Strong leadership skills are a must, including confidence with public speaking and the ability to motivate a team. Good leaders inspire their team to work towards a common goal.

Problem-Solving Skills

A project plan is a must for a project manager, but things are always bound to divert from the plan. Project managers must be able to problem solve, stay agile, and adapt to changing situations. This also means having good risk management skills.

Resource Management

A good PM must manage their resources effectively, including their budget, IT resources, and time management. The project manager must also treat the team itself as a resource, understanding individuals’ strengths and allocating tasks accordingly.

Self-Motivation

It is important that project managers have the ability to motivate themselves. Being the team leader, they work to keep the entire team motivated and so must be able to act as their own motivator as well.

How to Become a Project Manager

If you’re considering a career as a project management professional, here are a few steps you can take:

Research the Field

Before you take any major steps to becoming a project manager, do research to see if the field is right for you. Speak to other project managers to get a sense of their daily responsibilities. Read about the job from professionals to learn if the career path makes sense for you.

Further Your Education

You may want to consider undertaking further education for your project management career. There are bachelor’s and master’s degree programs that specialize in project management, including online project management courses. It is not necessary to have completed higher education to find a project manager job, but it may be helpful to improve your project management tools.

Get Project Management Experience

The best qualification you can have as a project manager is experience. Find work leading small teams and projects or take on an internship with a successful project manager. Experience in the field is invaluable and will help you understand the intricacies of managing projects.

Get Certified

You can become a certified associate in project management by taking a certification exam. Most exams require a set number of years of experience before you’re able to take the test. There are also specialized certifications, including exams for IT project managers. Certifications can enhance your resume and open up more job opportunities.

Project Manager vs. Program Manager

A project manager’s role differs from that of a program manager, who manages a broader range of projects and tasks for a business. A project manager focuses on a single project for the project life cycle. In contrast, a program manager oversees multiple projects, ensuring they align with the organization’s overall goals.

Conclusion

Project managers are essential for businesses to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the set objectives. They play a crucial role in bridging communication gaps between departments, managing resources, and leading teams to success. If you have a knack for organization, leadership, and problem-solving, a career in project management might be the perfect fit for you.

FAQs

What are the key skills needed to be a successful project manager?

The key skills include excellent communication, leadership, problem-solving, resource management, and self-motivation.

Is a degree necessary to become a project manager?

While not necessary, a degree in project management or business management can be beneficial and help you stand out in the job market.

What is the difference between a project manager and a program manager?

A project manager focuses on a single project, while a program manager oversees multiple projects that align with the organization’s overall goals.

How can I gain experience in project management?

You can gain experience by leading small teams and projects or taking on internships with experienced project managers.

What certifications are available for project managers?

Certifications such as Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP) are available and can enhance your credentials.