Being a project manager involves more than checking the boxes. You’re managing large, complex projects, and you’re managing people — the people on your team and the customers you’re delivering to. Mastering project management requires understanding the practices that are needed to complete a project successfully and putting those practices to work in whatever setting you’re in. View our infographic to learn more about the best skills for project managers to master in their careers.
Are you ready to level up and boost your career?
Accelerate your career growth and achieve your professional goals with a Master of Science in Project Management from Saint Mary’s University.
Click on the image to see the full infographic:
Transcript
The Five Most Important Project Management Skills
Being a project manager involves more than checking the boxes. You’re managing large, complex projects, and you’re managing people — the people on your team and the customers you’re delivering to. Mastering project management requires understanding the practices that are needed to complete a project successfully and putting those practices to work in whatever setting you’re in. Learn more about the most critical skills you’ll need to master as a project manager.
Go by the Book
You’ll need to master the Project Management Body of Knowledge guide. Developed by the Project Management Institute, the Project Management Body of Knowledge guide gives you a common language and framework to manage projects, based on best practices that can be applied to any field, broken into the following five process groups:
- Initiating by defining and authorizing a new project
- Planning by establishing the scope, objectives, and defining the course of action
- Executing processes to complete the work in line with project specifications
- Monitoring and controlling through tracking, reviewing, and regulating progress while adjusting as needed
- Closing by finalizing activities
Understanding the Body of Knowledge is a requirement for PMP® certifications.
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Project managers need to apply their knowledge of best practices in ways that meet the requirements of their particular workplace. This requires the ability to understand workplace policies, procedures, guidelines, and the specific templates or procedures the organization uses to manage projects.
Know the Environment
Project managers also have to be aware of a broad range of intangible real-world factors that can make or break their projects. Examples can include:
- Market conditions
- Organizational culture
- Internal politics
- Government regulations
- Organizational structure
- Available resources
Master Business Skills
Project management has a lot in common with good business management. Project managers should therefore master a broad range of managerial skills, including:
- Strategic planning
- Budgeting and financial forecasting
- Staffing
- General organizational knowledge
You can learn more in our “Online Tools for Project Management” article, which shares important project management skills.
Don’t Neglect the Soft Skills
Project managers who ignore soft skills, such as leading and interacting with people, often learn hard lessons. Prepare to:
- Understand the strengths and weaknesses of each team member
- Help out when team members struggle
- Motivate your team by recognizing exceptional work
- Be honest and forthcoming when updating the project’s customers
- Build trust by communicating with team members
By earning your Master’s in Project Management online with Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, you can build some of the best project management skills for careers today and prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® exam. To learn more, request information or call 877-308-9954.
