5 essential skills for a good Project Manager

What is Project Management?

Project Management involves carrying out the activities associated with the delivery of a project, such as: human resources management, materials management, budget management, supplier relations, team leadership and planning management.

The Project Manager can be compared to the conductor of an orchestra, as they act as the linchpin between the different areas involved in the project’s execution and are responsible for providing the guidelines and direction to carry out the project, from its design right through to its implementation.

The success or failure of a project depends largely on the project team, as they are responsible for assessing its feasibility from the moment its scope is defined, as well as for evaluating each stage to correct any deviations as they arise. The Project Manager bears the greatest responsibility within the team, as they are responsible for maintaining smooth communication and for decision-making.

In this regard, to be a good Project Manager, it is essential to possess a range of skills that enable them to orchestrate the project with the greatest chance of success. Below are the five essential skills of a good Project Manager:

1. Managing people (vertically and horizontally)

As the linchpin between the different areas involved in a project’s development (departments, investors, clients), the Project Manager must have the ability to manage teams, both vertically – with their own staff – and horizontally – with other managers or organisations. Similarly, they must know how to communicate with their superiors and have the ability to influence them, when necessary, to achieve the project’s objectives.

2. Having a holistic view of the business

The Project Manager must understand the business and how it operates in order to have a comprehensive and strategic overview that enables them to anticipate changes, define strategies and make decisions at the right time. For this reason, it is recommended that, before taking on the role of Project Director, the professional has held various positions and worked in different areas within the organisation, thereby gaining the necessary experience to understand the business model in its entirety.

3. Change management

Projects are dynamic and subject to constant change. It is therefore important that the Project Manager has the necessary ability to manage changes effectively and in an organised manner. In this regard, the Project Manager must prepare the team to avoid resistance to change, which can hinder a project’s progress, as well as maintain a flexible structure that allows for rapid adaptation when necessary.

How do you manage change? You can find out in this article: Change management in the workplace

4. Managing expectations

In any project, there are expectations on the part of both the client and the project team. It is essential for a Project Manager to understand in advance the expectations of everyone involved and to ensure that they are realistic, so that these can serve as the basis for drawing up the project master plan. It is also very important to maintain open communication, so that everyone is kept informed about the work being carried out, the results achieved and any changes that need to be made – especially if these alter any expectations set out at the outset.

5. Organisation

The Project Manager must be organised, as they are responsible for a wide range of activities, from administrative to technical management, and it is crucial that the project is completed on time, within budget and to the expected standard. Organisation is therefore a fundamental skill enabling the Project Manager to cope with the diversity of tasks involved.

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