Project Managers: what do they do?
Project Managers must satisfy a company’s goals and objectives, which concern customer projects, or the fulfilment of certain corporate goals. A Project Manager’s essential task is to coordinate the work of his or her team, ensuring the completion of projects according to a certain timeframe, process and budget. From project start-up, planning and execution to checks and final approval: Project Managers are responsible for all project phases and may be self-employed (freelance) – hired by companies when a project is in the pipeline – or a company employee.
What does a Project Manager do?
This role – which requires outstanding leadership skills – involves various different responsibilities and is fairly delicate in nature. Having to coordinate a team of people and deliver perfect final results involves not leaving anything to chance and supervising a whole series of key aspects. Tasks can vary depending on the professional sector, but in general a Project Manager must:
- define the general scope of the project;
- oversee its management phases;
- develop a management plan in order to monitor project progress;
- drive, motivate and supervise his or her team;
- update documentation;
- manage relationships with stakeholders;
- create accurate forecasts for revenue and resources;
- identify any potential project risks;
- manage and solve problems;
- manage budgets and invoices;
- make recommendations for project improvements;
- measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques;
- evaluate team performance.
It is a complex but very stimulating job, and one that can test a Project Manager’s management and leadership skills. Professionals in this role need to be able to work under pressure and motivate their team in order to ensure the project is completed within the established time-frame, guaranteeing the client the best possible result. That’s why a project manager’s disposition is so important: someone who is open, sociable, and knows how to interact with others is certainly an excellent candidate for the role. And the key to achieving this? Flexibility.
How do I become a Project Manager?
An increasing number of people are wondering how to get into the world of Project Management. In reality, you don’t need a particular degree to become a project manager, both graduates with science and arts degree can enter the profession, but most important thing is choosing the right course to equip you with the skills needed to be successful in the profession.
What knowledge does a Project Manager need to possess?
Being a good Project Manager isn’t just about knowing how to manage projects, in fact, the role requires a set of skills that cuts across various sectors. First of all, you need to be an excellent communicator: being able to communicate with people in a team – and customers, in particular – is a necessary skill for the job.
You also need to be persuasive, determined and kind at the same time. This is not an easy task, but it can be refined with experience and practice. And that’s not all, good Project Managers know how to adapt to changing situations, and to think analytically and strategically. They are responsible and resolute, but above all, they are able to handle the stress and pressure that comes with taking on customer projects.
In addition to these requirements, Project Managers must also have a solid knowledge of business cases, in order to provide their team with precise and timely instructions: a vital step in carrying out tasks successfully.
What is a Project Manager’s average salary?
A successful Project Manager can earn a very high salary. In fact, the career path is increasingly in demand among companies with a large international customer base. As can be expected, the salary varies according to employee experience and company size (or the number of clients, if freelance). Generally speaking, salary ranges from €40,000 to €100,000 per annum. But it can reach much higher figures if working with prestigious clients.
BBS offers Project Management courses to help those wanting to kick start their career in Project Management
Bologna Business School offers two Project Management courses: a foundation course, for those looking to get into the profession, and an advanced course, for those already familiar with the job. The first course deals with issues concerning project management, from start to finish, tackling multi-project management issues, as well as those relating to project charters, work breakdown structures and resource planning. Lessons are both theoretical and practical in nature, with concrete cases used to help develop the necessary skills.
The Project Management course teaching team consists of both academics and consultants, who are able provide all the tools needed to understand and deal with the various project phases. Lessons take place on weekends (4 days from 9.15am to 5.45pm on Fridays and Saturdays) or in the evening (8 evenings from 6.30pm to 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays). At the end of the course, students can register to take a PMP® international certification exam (Bologna Business School is a Registered Education Provider® at the PMI Institute®).
The advanced Project Management course is aimed at people who are already familiar with the phases involved in starting and managing a project, but want to improve their skills within a company in order to ensure optimal performance and to satisfy various clients. The course is divided into four days, each dedicated to a theme: agile management, risk management, customer management and multi-project and program management. By the end of the course, Project Managers will be able to better predict the risks inherent in a project, make accurate forecasts and improve customer management skills, all while working under pressure.
