Project managers are critical figures in business that lead and control various projects to achieve different goals. They are usually responsible for conducting groups of people, planning and executing tasks, setting targets, and reviewing performance. They potentially have the most crucial role in the success of a project because they control the components and people involved.
Let’s take a look at the role of project managers in more detail, covering the needed skills, average salaries, and how to become one!
Who is a project manager?
A project manager is in charge of the overall arrangement and implementation of a project. They guide the project from beginning to end, managing the planning stages and reviewing performance once the project is concluded. Their part demands them to propose the resources needed and outline deliverables to achieve the end aim of a project. They command people and liaise with teams to meet different deadlines and targets.
Project managers have control over an entire project. They organize everything that takes place and everyone involved. Who does the project manager report to? They report to various people in businesses. These might be business directors or heads of departments. They tend to set a brief for their project, and their job is to make it happen.
What are the responsibilities of a project manager?
Project managers oversee the whole project lifecycle, which involves a wide variety of assignments. At different stages, they are responsible for:
- goal setting, depending on the business requirements
- designing and scoping out project instructions
- planning activities to meet set goals and targets
- setting realistic timelines and agendas
- overseeing people involved and work capacity
- managing the workload of people in the group
- developing and overseeing budgets and financials
- delegating functions during the project to ensure all aspects are finished and achieved
- reviewing the performance and the overall success or failure, once the project is complete.
A project manager has many responsibilities and will lead the use of various tools and resources. For example, they may need to use visual content when presenting ideas or results to other teams and departments, or apply various project management tools to budget and track expenses.
For exploring tons of visual content you can turn to Depositphotos.com or other content marketplaces to help with your projects. Project managers also typically use communication tools to stay connected with their team, and see where everyone is and what they are doing. Managerial tasks are also made easy by the use of CRM tools for customer relationship management.
What skills do you need to have as a PM?
Project managers must have differentiating skills to complete and take control of different projects. The list of critical skills includes the following:
- advanced planning and forecasting to start projects and outline required tasks
- strong communication and teamwork skills to successfully work with others
- developed interpersonal skills, such as conflict resolution and motivation
- proven organizational and time management skills to meet deadlines
- strong problem-solving, reporting, and analytic skills
- leadership and strategic thinking to lead people and have an overall view of the project and the work involved.
The skills required to be a successful project manager are typically listed in a job description.
Salary of project managers
A project manager’s salary can vary a lot depending on the degree of responsibility and the position in the business. Different job levels, from entry-level positions to junior and senior roles, provide room to grow and earn more.
For example, a project manager may start from $5,000–6,000 per month and grow within a year. Salaries can increase exponentially as you climb up the business hierarchy and take charge of more senior duties. Some successful project managers grow their salaries twice, up to $10,000–15,000 per month. Project managers may manage smaller, shorter projects and earn less, but they can also manage more essential projects and earn salaries towards the upper end.
How to become a project manager
Some project managers start learning in college or begin with an internship. There are many educational courses and resources to get started and learn more about the topic. You can achieve many different qualifications and certifications, often highly sought after in project management positions.
One of the best ways to start is by working somewhere where you can be involved in project work. You can move into taking up a project manager title with more experience and control. Start managing smaller and shorter projects then move into larger ones once you have proven your skills with successful project deliveries. Many skills required for this particular job are transferable and can come from experience in different roles.
Interview questions for a PM
When applying for a project management role, there’s a number of interview questions asked to learn more about your experience and skills. Here are some common interview questions:
- Tell us about a time when you managed a team, and how did you do it successfully?
- Tell us about a project you worked on and why you are proud of it.
- There are many essential skills a project manager must have. What is the most important?
- Teams may experience conflict, how would you manage that if it were to arise?
- Tell us about your deadlines and time management skills.
- How can you set realistic budgets?
Bottom line
You’ve discovered the duties and tasks of a project manager, looked at their skills, and how to become one. Most importantly, the right person for the job has to be a confident leader and sound communicator to plan assignments and delegate teams. Project managers can start from different backgrounds, and there are numerous educational resources to explore. Achieve your goals of becoming a PM with a planned strategy starting today!
