Implementation Project Manager | Career Transition Coach | I lead teams in applying strategic solutions that drive meaningful change
🔥 The term "project management" is such a buzzword nowadays! Let's break down the phrase "project management". According to Project Management Institute, a project is anything that: ✅ has a start date ✅ has an end date ✅ delivers a product, process, or service To clarify - a project must meet all 3 criteria to be considered a professional project. Here's where this tends to get tricky though.... What does the "Management" piece entail? Have you ever had a "Manager" that you felt like really dropped the ball? A project Manager should be the opposite of that. To me, a Manager is someone that: ✅ takes ownership of a workload / workloads ✅ is accountable for outcomes ✅ tracks activities and performance ✅ implements strategies ✅ leads one or more teams to achieve goal(s) ✅ tracks deliverables ✅ sets and maintains expectations ✅ communicates effectively cross-functionally ✅ negotiates / gains buy-in with ease An impactful, professional Project Manager is someone that does all of the above. Hope this breakdown helps as you analyze your skills! What did I forget? What else does an effective manager do? #projectmanagement #projectmanager #pmi #pmp #careertransition #manager #skillsassessment #gapanalysis #buyin #leader #impact #deliverables #tracking #strategy #accountability #workloads #buzzword #servicedelivery #processimprovement #outputs #productdelivery #communication #negotiation
I truly don't understand all the people looking to transition to #projectmanagement. It appears to me like a bunch of people who don't understand they're transitioning from independent contributor (or former boss), to team-focused servitude. The lack of people skills might be why my clients are complaining their work is behind schedule and over budget.
Leasha Trimble
1mo
I found this post insightful, sharing it with some school psych colleagues. These are exactly the things a school psychologist does on the daily. We are ultimately responsible for the success and compliance of the output of our cross-functional assessment teams. We have a minimum of 10 projects going on at all times with various due dates, mostly with different teams and different schools. These project management responsibilities are NOT a consideration in the workload of our jobs although they are MOST of it. Contrary to popular belief, many of us in this field have nothing to do with mental health. We don't do counseling, and working with children is a small component of the job. The "school" in my title is legally there and cannot be separated lest a literal ethical violation will occur. However, it is really hard as a career changer to get those hiring to see past the word "school." We have way more alignment with corporate business processes than people think.
Absolutely resonated with this post. As a project manager in Quebec's construction industry, I see firsthand how high-level project management can sometimes disconnect from on-site execution. Our field is like a complex ballroom dance, coordinating numerous entities, each with its own limited resources and skills. The project manager's role is often about ensuring everyone understands their part. Over time, you learn to focus on the elements that truly impact the site, cost, and schedule. Experience is key.
I love the breakdown Skye Dodd, PMP! Project management has truly become a buzzword and there are thousands of people looking to transition to a career in project management. I would be curious to see the statistics on how many people are currently transitioning to project management. I love how you broke down not only what a project is, but the manager side of it. It's important that people look past the buzzword and make sure not only that they have a clear understanding of what project management is but also taking the time to figure out if it's right for them.
Sarah Shariq
1mo
Effective project management is about leadership and accountability—Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
This is a great breakdown, Skye! I love the term Project Leader, as well, since I consider myself more of a leader than manager. In so many instances, PMs are individual contributors who must lead well in order to gain buy-in and cooperation from the team. IMO, effective leaders have a multi-generational leadership vision, raising up more leaders in the process of effectively managing successful projects.
Often a project requires a number of team members who will each need to demonstrate one or more of those management characteristics. So for me an important aspect of the project manager role is creating an environment and culture on the project that enables and supports other members of the team to manage effectively
Nice breakdown Skye! Would you also say Project Managers are responsible for team morale and motivation?
Anushree Bambal
1mo
In addition to the essential responsibilities already covered, the project manager also manages risks and adapts to project changes.
Project Management Integration --> Business Maturity (See "About") - Progress Your Business Story! (Individuals | Teams | Organizations)
1moAll good points to be "an impactful, professional Project Manager". I would add, collaborate with leadership to make sure a high-level concept is created, properly planned, and deployed. You'll need the appropriate amount of approval and authority to be certain from the get-go. An "unofficial", or even an "official" project manager, who "negotiates / gains buy-in" early to be sure there is clear formal sign-off/organizational support/sponsorship approval (for all that is authorized for the length of the project) will find their influence to be more easily accepted throughout, than if you try to navigate these ambiguities later on. Tip: This requires being mindful of your work environment's project management maturity. Hopefully it is self-aware to continually improve. At some point they should vet and enact projects without much help from the project manager assigned. But don't assume your organization does this. Don't assume to own the project and its outcomes until it is properly handed off. In other words, act like an independent contractor in setting up the terms of a project (the contract) with your organization to make sure they are doing their part, similar to what they would do for an independent contractor basically.