Project management is not an easy job. In fact, it’s several not-easy jobs, including the initiation, planning, executing, controlling, and closing of a project. Even more difficult, that project is delegated to a team of your choosing, given specific goals to achieve over a defined timeline for a determined budget. And you have to do all that successfully. today we will discuss the Top Essential Skills For Project Manger. The best project managers use robust project management tools to keep all aspects of their projects organized. Project management skills are the necessary traits and competencies somebody needs in order to be an effective and successful project manager. While “project manager” seems like a fairly straightforward job title, this role is responsible for far more than keeping projects on track. In this article we will explain the Top Essential Skills For Project Manger.
But that’s just one aspect of the project manager’s many faceted job. Below we’ve collected the Top Essential Skills For Project Manger should have. There are certainly more than just the following, but if you have these, you have the foundation on which to build a successful career in project management.
Project manager technical skills
Technical skills (you might also hear these referred to as hard skills) are the more tangible and measurable skills required to be an effective project manager.
- Planning and forecasting
It goes without saying, but proper project management requires skilled planning on the part of the manager. However, this can be challenging, especially since many project managers need to take educated guesses about things like timelines and required resources.
- Risk management
Every project has risks. Perhaps a resource won’t be available when you need it or maybe delayed approval from a client will set your timeline back a few days. Project managers are responsible for not only navigating around risks when they crop up, but also anticipating them so that they can try their best to avoid them altogether.
- Budgeting
Only 2.5% of companies successfully complete all of the projects they take on. The rest go over schedule, over budget, or both. Project managers know that there are financial constraints they need to work within, and they use their budgeting and financial management skills to deliver winning projects within those limitations.
- Tracking and monitoring
Project management isn’t just about completing a project — it’s about completing a successful project. That won’t happen if project managers fail to keep their fingers on the pulse of what’s happening. They need to use their skills in performance tracking and monitoring to ensure projects are running according to plan and still supporting the broader business goals. If not? They’ll course correct when necessary.
- Project management methodologies
From Agile to Waterfall, there are numerous project management methodologies and approaches. These outline specific principles for overseeing and completing projects. Experienced project managers are familiar with those methodologies and able to determine which ones are the best fit for their specific teams and projects.
- Subject matter expertise
Project managers work in a variety of industries, from construction to IT and everything in between. While it’s not an absolute necessity, it’s helpful for the project manager to have at least a basic familiarity with the industry and the types of projects they’re managing. That level of expertise will help them more accurately estimate costs, timelines, and resource requirements.
- Project management software
The best project managers know better than to try to coordinate all of the elements of a project with jumbled spreadsheets and task lists. Instead, they’re experts at using project management software like Wrike to centralize communication, streamline collaboration, and iron out project plans.
Project manager soft skills
One 2016 study found that 93% of employers say that soft skills are either an “essential” or “very important” factor in hiring decisions. Let’s look at some must-have soft skills for project managers.
- Leadership
It may seem obvious, but strong leadership skills are crucial for project managers. This trait combines strong communication skills with a calm temperament and a positive, can-do approach to problem solving. Leaders must also be able to form and manage teams and communicate with stakeholders. Effective project managers tend to be excellent decision-makers and are able to delegate responsibilities to the team members most equipped to handle them.
- Communication
One of the most important skills for project managers is great communication. Good communication and effective leadership typically go hand-in-hand. Project management involves leading teams from different departments who may not be used to working together. Members may have different skills and may be expected to bring something unique to the table. A communicator who can provide clear instructions and expectations for their teams may increase work productivity and efficiency. Another key to communication is awareness of word choice, tone and body language. Project managers aim for clarity and sensitivity, and have an ability to speak clear and concise with all team members.
- Time Management
The ability to manage time and prioritize tasks is an essential characteristic of efficient project managers. Workers may respond better to managers who are able to stay on task, avoid procrastination and complete work on time. In addition to personal time management, project managers must be able to maximize productivity and minimize distractions in several key project areas. It’s also important for project managers to avoid the temptation of managing too much. Good managers can adapt to changes in the project, and develop a trust between team members, rather than micromanage.
- Risk Management Risk Management
Doing anything is a risk. Planning a project, big or small, is inherent with risk. It’s part of your job to see those issues before they become problems. Therefore, before executing the project, you have to put in the work to identify, assess, and control risk. The more you can manage risk, the more likely your project is going to succeed. Of course, you can’t anticipate everything that might happen over the life cycle of your project. There will be unanticipated issues that arise, so you need to have a process in place to handle those when they come up.
- Problem solving
As much as you’d like to think that your project will go off without a hitch, unexpected issues are bound to crop up. Project managers can’t be discouraged by a problem, and instead need to come up with solutions to keep the project moving forward — even when the best laid plans fall apart.
- Adaptability
Related to the above, project managers need to be adaptable. While planning is a core skill, they can’t be so rigid with their strategies that everything falls apart the moment something unanticipated happens. Project managers need to rebound quickly, roll with the punches, and find ways to keep the project moving forward.
These kinds of skills will help you in your career and help you to become a good professional project manager, wish you all the best for your career life.