Who is a project manager and how to become one

Introduction. The global labor market is constantly changing with new jobs and roles. But in the world of team and resource management, project managers have been in steady demand for decades – specialists who are able to take on the most complex projects and bring them to success. Jobs with a similar name can be found in IT, construction, advertising, public administration and many other industries. The demand for good project managers is consistently high, which is logical: who, if not them, can control the timing, quality and budget at the same time?

However, to become an effective project manager, it is not enough just to be able to plan. Behind this concept lies a whole set of competencies: from a subtle understanding of business processes to communication skills, from the ability to motivate people to the ability to take risks and make decisions quickly in an ever-changing environment. In this article, we will look at what a project manager is supposed to do, how to figure out if this field is right for you, and what steps you need to take to successfully enter the world of project management.

What a Project Manager Does
The main task of the project manager (or project manager) is to organize and control the progress of the project from the moment of its planning to completion. This can include developing a new mobile app, launching a marketing campaign, building an office building, or any other process that has clear timelines, a limited budget, and measurable goals. According to the Project Management Institute, a project manager is a “catalyst” of the outcome, a person who finds a balance between time frame, resources and execution quality, keeping the team in the direction of the final goal.

To fulfill this role, it is not enough to possess only theoretical knowledge in the field of management. Practical skills are required:

• Team formation: Identify the roles required for the project and attract suitable specialists.
• Planning: breakdown of work into stages, assignment of duties, determination of deadlines and control of points of execution.
• Risk management: Predicting problems, developing a plan B, and responding to changes during the project.
• Coordination and communication: ensuring transparency of information between the customer, the team and external stakeholders.
• Evaluation of results: analysis of the achieved goals and the final effectiveness of the project, recording lessons and experience.

How to understand that project management is yours
It is not necessary to have an MBA or years of management experience to start in this field. In many ways, it is suitable for people who are characterized by the following features:

1. Organization and systems thinking. If you like to set tasks, organize chaos, and see a clear structure where others see a mess, then this is an important sign that the project manager role may be yours.
2. Flexibility and resourcefulness. Any plan can go wrong. The ability to respond quickly to change without losing focus on the ultimate goal is critical.
3. Desire to work with people. Project management is based on communication and motivation. If you like to establish contact with a variety of people, resolve conflicts and lead a team, this is a clear plus.
4. Multilateral development. A good project manager understands the specifics of the project, knows how to work with budgets, knows the basics of time management and constantly improves soft skills.

Important skills and competencies
Technical literacy
You don’t need to be a software developer to manage IT projects, but an understanding of the basic principles of how technology works is essential. Technical literacy helps not only to have an effective dialogue with programmers, but also to realistically assess time and resources.

Knowledge of project management methodologies
Classic waterfall methodology, agile approach using Scrum or Kanban, hybrid formats – depending on the scope and specifics of the company, various methods are used. The ability to choose the right approach and adapt it to the needs of the team is a serious competitive advantage.

Planning and analytics skills
The project manager should be able to assess the scale of work, set realistic deadlines and track progress in the context of each stage. Tables, Gantt charts, resource loading graphs are not just beautiful pictures, but working tools that allow you to monitor the development of the project and respond to deviations in a timely manner.

Risk management
“What happens if...?” – this question should constantly arise in the project manager. Professionals in this field are able to anticipate potential problems, whether it is a delay in deliveries or a service failure, and prepare an action plan in advance. As a result, when a difficult situation does occur, the team already has an idea of how to overcome the crisis with minimal losses.

Communication and leadership qualities
Even the most “closed” project requires active interaction with people: with the company’s management, customers, developers, designers, testers. The ability to create a favorable atmosphere, give constructive feedback on time or insist on meeting deadlines without provoking conflict is what distinguishes a good leader. Experienced project managers often say that 80% of their time is spent communicating.

Where to learn project management
The path to obtaining knowledge and skills in project management can be different. However, there are several areas that are particularly effective:

• Universities and business schools. Some universities offer undergraduate and graduate programs related to project management, management or business administration. Business schools can provide a more practice-oriented approach.
• Online courses and platforms. Modern online schools such as Coursera, edX, Udemy offer both free introductory courses and paid in-depth project management programs. You will be able to get a theory and immediately apply the knowledge gained in practice.
• Professional certificates. PMI (Project Management Institute) or IPMA (International Project Management Association) offer certifications recognized worldwide. Certificates such as PMP (Project Management Professional) often increase the chances of employment and further career growth.
• Courses at major IT companies. Many organizations working in the field of technology create their own training programs. This is especially useful if you want to immediately immerse yourself in real-life practice with experienced curators and mentors.
• My own practice. You may already have a project that you would like to implement. Any experience – even if it is associated with volunteer or educational activities – provides valuable skills in organizing processes, setting tasks and managing people.

What are the prospects of the project manager
Project management can be a starting point for a variety of career paths. Some specialists remain in this field and gradually improve their skills, leading larger and more responsible projects. Others move into product management, not only managing teams, but also forming a product development strategy. Also, if you successfully master management skills and knowledge of business processes, you can grow to a top managerial position, for example, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Development Director (CBDO).

According to a number of statistical studies, the demand for project managers in the labor market will continue to grow, especially in the technology sector, banking, healthcare and e-commerce. In the face of global competition, effective project management becomes a key factor in a company’s success, which means that professionals who are able to ensure stable progress and timely results will always be highly valued.

Conclusion
A project manager is a person who can turn an idea into a real and tangible result. He manages the team, negotiates with the customer, monitors the schedule, allocates the budget and constantly adapts to changing conditions. Successful representatives of this profession have a unique combination of skills, including flexibility, organization, the ability to resolve conflicts and inspire people.

If you feel a craving for systematization, like to look for effective solutions and get satisfaction from working with people, then project management can become the optimal career path for you. You can learn this both at the university or at profile courses, and independently, using resources on the Internet and applying the knowledge gained in practice. And as you watch your project come to life step by step, you may realize that this is what you have wanted to do your whole life.