For many years of my tapestry-like career, I was a project manager. Most of my project management work was in technology, especially in my most recent assignments. But I managed other types of projects over the years too. So what is a Project Manager and what exactly do they do? Is it work you might enjoy?
Basic project manager definition
When a company (or even someone renovating an apartment) decides to undertake a new project, they look for a person to lead the effort. That person in charge of the whole endeavor is the Project Manager.
What good Project Manager may do:
- Get a clear picture of the project requirements, scope, and budget.
- Confirm each item listed above carefully with the person who hires you, in writing.
- Create a project plan. including user requirements / business analysis if needed.
- Pull together a mutually-supportive team (with your help and guidance) and assign tasks / roles.
- Create a schedule / timeline with smaller goals to help guide progress and mark success milestones. You can find professional software to help or use a spreadsheet.
- Monitor plan and budget progress through meetings / communication, and make adjustments where needed.
- Continue to create an open, communicative team environment. And work to keep team morale strong, showing appreciation for their efforts.
- Meet with clients (and if appropriate an end user focus group) along the way to inform, get feedback and requirement updates, and address any issues.
More possible responsibilities
- Prepare documentation / training materials if appropriate.
- Keep clients (and end users) informed as project proceeds with a newsletter or regular communication.
- Assess whether you are on target and again adjust / inform where needed.
- Do user testing / stress testing if appropriate as you near the go live date.
- Make adjustments once again if needed.
- Go live with the project.
- Gather feedback and correct any issues.
- Make notes for Phase 2, if that is needed.
- Thank everyone involved for their work and cooperation.
- Celebrate with your team!! 🙂
Freelancers or business owners:
NOTE: If this is an independently-paid project, make sure the scope & budget are clearly understood upfront. And get an initial deposit, with terms such as remedies if client is dissatisfied or project is late specifically addressed and understood in writing.
FYI … I got into project management by doing it. Sometimes it’s a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Or keeping alert to projects coming up and getting yourself assigned to the team. From there, if you don’t get the lead to begin with, you can work your way up.
For more info about project management and what a Project Manager is:
Project Management Institute
Check out more career definitions!