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Is Project Management Right for Me?

Last Updated January 17, 2020

A man giving a presentation about choosing project management to a small group of four co-workers.

Businesses competing in a complex global marketplace must be prepared to stay current in order to survive. Successful adaptation often means constant change. Increasingly, modern businesses make these changes through projects. As more organizations become project driven, they need expert project management, which can be an exciting career choice, if it’s a good fit for your skills and interests.

The Role of Project Management

Through project management, important goals can be accomplished, plans built, new products launched and software developed. Project management involves activities like planning, scoping, organizing and managing resources and procedures in order to achieve a specific objective or objectives. Successful project management is typically when goals are met within the project’s time frame and budget. Project managers apply their skills and knowledge to effectively run their projects.

How to Determine if You Would Be a Good Project Manager

If you are considering a career in project management, here are a few questions to ask:

  • How do I feel about change? Effective project managers embrace change and are able to reshape processes when the situation demands.
  • How do I perform in high-pressure situations? In general, successful project managers know how to deal with adversity. Not every project goes perfectly, so it’s important to remain calm under pressure, while keeping everyone else calm in the process.
  • Do I have a hard time saying, “No” to peers or supervisors? Being an effective project manager is not a popularity contest. At times, you may have to take a tough stance in order to keep the project moving forward. That means sometimes saying “no” to your team, or even your boss.
  • Can I make decisions quickly and take responsibility for them? It’s easy to get caught up in the details of a project when you’re not decisive. Can you assess the situation, make a wise decision and move on? Can you accept responsibility and learn from bad decisions? It’s important to not blame others for failure, especially when you’re wrong.
  • How skilled am I at solving problems? Project managers should know they don’t have the answer to every problem, but successful ones can leverage the knowledge of their team and others to help. Together, they can create a plan and move forward to solve the problem.

Project managers are measured on the outcome of their projects, which can make for an exciting career. With the right skills and knowledge, project managers can improve their percentage of successful outcomes.

Three Skills of Effective Project Managers

Along with the attributes listed above, here are three important skills that may help you become a more effective project manager.

  • Organization – Projects consist of a number of tasks being carried out at the same time, by a number of different people. Stakeholders from upper management to external customers need to be kept informed of activities and accomplishments. Supplies and resources should be monitored to keep things moving ahead toward the end goal. Staying on top of these activities typically requires a high level of organizational skill. Project managers create the plan that makes it all work, so they too should be highly organized.
  • Communication – Successful projects generally require outstanding communication between the project manager and their team. Project leaders should establish a two-way channel of information so they know what’s going on at every step, and so they can be prepared to inform others as needed. Communication should be clear, honest, open and ongoing. Strong communication skills are one essential quality of a prospective project manager.
  • Leadership – Project managers must also be able to get along with and lead what can sometimes be diverse groups of people. Team members will often look to the project manager for decision-making, problem-solving and guidance. They may follow a project manager whose vision is articulated clearly, and each team member’s role explained, along with how they will fit in together toward achieving the overall goal. Leadership can mean getting the most productivity and creativity out of the team, and creating an atmosphere where people want to succeed. Finally, in an increasingly global business environment, project managers should be comfortable with and respectful of different cultures, and learn of how to lead people from different backgrounds.

What’s the Next Step?

Now that you know what’s required of project managers, you can decide if it’s a good career choice for you. If you have the personal attributes and are ready to develop the required skills, you can learn the fundamentals of project management by enrolling in Villanova University’s Certificate in Applied Project Management program, offered through the convenience of 100% online education. Professionals can learn effective project management practices, along with strategic tips and the latest techniques for maximizing their team and budget.

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