PM, What PM?
Project management is a highly respected job, one which is vital to the success of any company or endeavor, but many new graduates facing the job market are often met with the confusion of “PM, what PM?”. Numerous Google searches and broad job postings online all suggest that PM is a mysterious and nebulous role, but what does it actually entail?
Project management is a job that requires the implementation of processes and structures that coordinate the tasks, executive procedures and other elements of a project. Project management is all about making sure that the goals, objectives and milestones of the project, as agreed upon and defined with the stakeholders, are all met in order to deliver on the original scope. It’s also responsible for the management of resources, including personnel, money, materials, and time.
The project manager is responsible for carrying out all the duties and tasks entailed in their job. They usually report to the project sponsor, keeping the project on track and ensuring that all requirements are met. Depending on the size of the project, the manager will be responsible for assigning and delegating tasks to project workers, monitoring progress and keeping everyone on the same page and informed. They’ll also be in charge of budgeting, scheduling and making sure that the project is meeting the defined goals and objectives.
Project management is not just about physically managing the project, it’s about leadership as well. In order to ensure success, the project manager must be able to Hersey effectively with all team members, from those working on the project to those who are simply stakeholders. Being a leader requires a certain set of skills, from communication and conflict resolution to delegation and risk management.
While the project manager is responsible for the good running of the project and its stakeholders, their responsibility does not end there. For any successful project management experience to take place, the project manager must also be able to deliver reports that summarize the project’s progress, provide stakeholders with overall progress updates and be able to adjust the project’s plan if needed.
Project management is an important job and it is a great opportunity to work in the IT industry and to really see the results of your hard work. With the right training and the right skills, PM can be a successful career and a vital part of any project. The first step to becoming a successful project manager is to understand what goes into this role and how it can benefit your long-term career goals. So, what PM? Project Management, of course!
