Project Manager

Working Schedule

• Project Managers work full-time, with overtime possible. They might work in offices, from home, or at job sites, depending on employer requirements.

Typical Duties

• Meet with stakeholders and department heads to review the scope of a proposed project
• Draft project plans listing tasks and subtasks, employees and contractors to assign tasks to, timeframes and milestones, necessary resources, and proposed budgets
• Establish and manage project teams. Clarify roles and responsibilities
• Negotiate with and hire contractors. Work with vendors and suppliers
• Create, share, and explain workflow guidelines
• Use project management software to monitor progress and communicate with teams
• Oversee budgets and consider the most effective use of funds
• Anticipate potential problems and try to mitigate them
• Suggest areas for improvement along the way. Keep workers motivated and focused
• Meet with team leads to discuss performance or quality issues. Solicit feedback and resolve problems
• Address project delays and cost overruns
• Keep stakeholders updated. Listen to and take action on feedback provided
• Comply with safety protocols, legal requirements, and quality standards
• Evaluate project milestones along the way. Identify and incorporate lessons learned

Additional Responsibilities

• Schedule team meetings
• Assess completed projects to ensure employer requirements have been met
• Manage project-related documentation. Protect sensitive information
• Promote a positive workplace culture
• Keep up with best practices related to project management and the industry that the project is in

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical
• Communication
• Conflict resolution
• Critical thinking
• Leadership
• Motivated
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Time management

Technical Skills

• Accounting, budgeting, and financial management programs
• Cloud-based data-sharing programs (Google Drive, Slack)
• Content workflow software
• Contract negotiation and vendor management
• Document management
• Human resources management
• Process mapping
• Project management software (Monday, Asana)
• Risk assessment and management
• Scheduling and timeline management
• Spreadsheets
• Teleconferencing

• Construction companies
• Software development firms
• Manufacturing companies
• Marketing and advertising agencies
• Healthcare organizations
• Government agencies

The Project Management Institute explains that project management is “the use of applicable knowledge, skills, tools, and methods to deliver value.” So Project Managers must have that knowledge and those skills to deliver projects on time and within budget while meeting high-quality standards.

Their role requires strong leadership, flexibility, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks under tight deadlines. Long hours may be required to address challenges, especially during critical project phases.

Despite the job demands, PMs love the feeling of successfully completing projects. Their efforts make a positive impact on organizations and, by extension, employees! They’re also one of the major keys to employee satisfaction, keeping teams motivated and on target. 

Project management continues to be transformed by technologies like automation and artificial intelligence. These innovations have revolutionized project tracking and risk management, providing more accurate data, predictive analytics, and real-time updates. This allows PMs to make better decisions, anticipate potential issues, and streamline processes.

Agile frameworks are helping with collaboration and iterative progress, empowering teams to respond quickly to changes, incorporate feedback continuously, and deliver value to stakeholders. This dynamic, adaptive project approach is reshaping how projects are executed and managed.

Another trend is socially responsible project management! Organizations are more aware of their ethical responsibilities and environmental/social impacts these days. Thus, PMs must incorporate sustainability goals to minimize negative impacts while ensuring projects contribute to society.