Project Management

Project managers ensure that a project is completed on time and within budget as stipulated with the client, that the project’s objectives are met and that everyone else is doing their job properly. Projects are usually separate to usual day-to-day business activities and require a group of people to work together to achieve a set of specific objectives. Project managers oversee the project to ensure the desired result is achieved, the most efficient resources are used and the different interests involved are satisfied.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Agreeing on project objectives
  
• Representing the client’s or organisation’s interests
• Providing advice on the management of projects
• Organising the various professional people working on a project
• Carrying out risk assessments
• Making sure that all the aims of the project are met
• Making sure that the quality standards are met
• Using IT systems to keep track of people and progress
• Recruiting specialists and sub-contractors
• Monitoring sub-contractors to ensure guidelines are maintained
• Overseeing the accounting, costing, and billing

Depending on the project, responsibilities can cover all aspects of a project from the beginning stages through to completion. Project managers typically lead by example, so expect to be working at least the same hours as your staff.

Key skills for project managers

• Organisational skills
• Analytical skills
• Well developed interpersonal skills
• Numeracy skills
• Commercial awareness
• Communication skills
• Team working skills
• Diplomacy
• Ability to motivate people
• Management and leadership skills