What does a Project Manager do and how to become one

The project manager is a fundamental professional figure within any company or organization that manages projects. With the increase in complexity of business processes, the need for someone to supervise and coordinate all phases of a project has become essential. This professional is responsible for planning, executing, and finalizing projects, ensuring that they are respected on time, costs, and quality.

It is no coincidence that it is one of the most requested and sought-after professions in recent years. But who exactly is the project manager and what do they do daily? And, above all, how do you become a project manager? Let’s explore every aspect of this crucial role to better understand why it is so sought-after in the modern world of work and what to do to embark on this career.

Who is the project manager: the definition of the figure

Today, in many job offers published on the main web portals, companies are looking for people to assign the tasks of a project manager, confirming that this is a professional figure who has a good chance of being permanently inserted into the world of work. In Italian, this professional figure is usually defined as "project manager", and is often indicated with the acronym PM.

The project manager (PM) is the person in charge of managing a project from start to finish. His main objective is to ensure that the project is completed in compliance with the specifications agreed upon by the clients or stakeholders, within the budget, and on schedule.

In other words, project management indicates the set of back office and front office activities of the company. The person who carries them out is the project manager, a figure who deals with the analysis, design, planning, and implementation of the objectives of a project, managing it in all its phases.

To fully understand the strategic relevance of the profile of a project manager, it is necessary to keep in mind the concept of ROI, that is "return on investment". The project manager is committed, in fact, to ensuring that the profits are greater than the resources used and therefore that the project bears fruit. The project manager relates to the other members of the company through regular reports to be submitted to managers and also to stakeholders. They will be able to choose whether to continue to focus on the project managed by the PM, or not. It is, quite clearly, a job suitable for those who always want to put themselves on the line.

What does a project manager do: the role’s duties

The role of the project manager requires a set of multidisciplinary skills, ranging from human resources management to strategic planning, up to problem-solving. A PM must be able to interact with all members of the project team, external suppliers, and customers, managing any conflicts and constantly monitoring the progress of the work.

The complexity and variety of projects make this role extremely dynamic and flexible. A project manager can operate in different sectors, such as IT, construction, marketing, healthcare, or engineering, adapting to the specific needs of the project. Despite the sectoral differences, the core of his work remains unchanged: to guide the project towards success, balancing costs, resources, and the time available.

Daily tasks and duties

One might wonder what the daily activities of a figure such as a project manager actually consist of well, the answer is that they are plural and imply the assumption of responsibility, framed under different aspects.

Here is a list of the main tasks of a project manager:

• evaluation and innovation of the company’s management procedures;
• project planning, contributing substantially to their execution;
• team management, trying to remove obstacles that may affect the final result;
• assistance in gathering resources for the project to be carried out;
• identification of a reasonable budget in relation to each project followed;
• carrying out management controls (budget monitoring, cost control, etc.)
• formulation of economic forecasts;
• control and supervision of production processes and activities carried out;
• guarantee of a good return on investment (ROI);
• carrying out analyses of risks and possible results;
• creation and structuring of documentation and reports to be sent to the team and stakeholders;
• guarantee that all tasks and projects are carried out and completed according to the pre-established timeframes.

As you can see, the tasks of a project manager are many, and therefore it is certainly a job with a high level of specialization.

The skills required

In addition to the knowledge and skills that are obtained thanks to training courses and experience in the field, it should not be forgotten that to be a successful project manager, it is necessary to have a series of soft skills, or attitudinal abilities that are largely innate. Let’s think for example of organizational skills and the talent for planning a complex project: these are qualities that cannot be found indiscriminately in all people.

The list of soft skills required of those who intend to work as a project manager does not end here.
Among the most relevant ones that should never be missing we have:

• ability to effectively manage time and activities related to the realization of the project;
• leadership aptitude;
• ability to relate to many people daily, managing them for the best possible result;
• flexibility and spirit of adaptation;
• aptitude for managing stress and unexpected events;
• problem solving skills.

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How to become a project manager

At this point, one might ask what is the path to take to become a project manager, as it is quite clear that it is not a profession for which improvisation is valid. Well, the figure of the project manager requires the possession of transversal skills, which are learned both through a university-type study path and with experience in the field, but the personal propensities and soft skills mentioned above are also important. At least in part, you are born with the traits needed to be a good "project manager".

Education Path

The first step to becoming a project manager is to earn a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a field related to business management, economics, engineering, or computer science. Many universities offer degrees in Project Management or specializations related to this profession. However, it is not uncommon for project managers to come from different backgrounds, such as communications, social sciences, or architecture, and then adapt their skills to the specific needs of project management.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in Project Management (MBA with a specialization in project management, for example) can be a great way to gain in-depth knowledge of project management methodologies and to network with professionals in the sector.

Professional Certifications

Certifications are another essential element for those who want to pursue a career as a project manager. Among the most well-known are the PMP (Project Management Professional), issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), and the PRINCE2, widely used in Europe. These certifications attest to the candidate’s skills and experience in project management and are recognized internationally.

Obtaining a PMP certification requires an in-depth exam, preceded by thousands of hours of practical experience in project management. This makes the certification particularly prestigious and sought-after in the world of work.

Required skills

In addition to academic training and certifications, becoming a project manager requires the development of specific technical skills and soft skills. Hard skills include the ability to use project management software (such as Microsoft Project, Asana, or Trello), knowledge of project management principles (such as the project lifecycle and risk management), and the ability to manage a budget.

Soft skills, on the other hand, include leadership skills, communication skills, problem-solving, and time management. A good project manager must know how to work under pressure, keep calm, and make quick decisions. The ability to motivate the team and resolve conflicts is also crucial.

Practical experience

Finally, a key element to becoming a project manager is practical experience. Many start their careers as project assistants or in operational roles that gradually expose them to managing small teams and tasks. With time and by acquiring specific skills, they can then move up to roles of greater responsibility, until they become a full-fledged project manager.

Original article published on Money.it Italy 2024-10-07 15:36:40. Original title: Project manager, chi è, cosa fa e come diventarlo