Introduction
Firstly, the people behind the planning, organization and implementation of events are Event Planners. They plan everything for wedding receptions, birthday parties, graduation ceremonies, and more. Likewise, in the business world, the person behind the planning and execution of projects is the Project Manager.
Project Management is one of the most important positions in any corporate firm. In this position lies the power to help the company achieve its goals and move forward.
Want to know why? Below, we list the roles and responsibilities of a project manager as well as how they benefit businesses.
What is a Project Manager?
A project manager is a professional who is in charge of the effective planning and execution of projects.
A vital aspect of their job is that they must ensure they complete projects within the designated time frame. Also, they must ensure that projects do not exceed the financial capacity of the company. Likewise, all they do must be in line with the company’s mission and vision statement.
What’s more, project managers can work at any place with many projects for execution. We need them in almost every business. They can also help propose projects that will be beneficial to both the company and society.
Major places in need of their services are industries, corporate firms, and the government.
Responsibilities of a Project Manager
The major duties of a Project Manager include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Develop and sustain good relationships with investors and third parties.
- Plan projects in detail, determining their scope, time frames, relevance, requirements, and financial budget.
- Present the planned project to board members or top staff of the company. This is for potential contributions, clarifications, and adjustments.
- Deliver planned projects effectively.
- Carry out projects within the designated time frames.
- Ensure adequate documentation of all aspects of the project from planning to completion.
- Ensure that projects are in line with the company’s vision and mission.
- Brief team members who will take part in the execution of projects on their duties and assignments.
- Supervises projects throughout the execution phase and makes adjustments where necessary.
- Present updates on the project at designed intervals, while still in the execution phase.
Furthermore, a project manager is also expected to coordinate staff involved in the execution of the projects.
Qualifications for practice as a Project Manager.
To practice as a Project Manager in the United States, the following are necessary:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Project Management from an accredited Higher Institution. One in Business Administration or Management also fits.
- A work experience in Project Management with a degree (at least) in related fields.
- A certification in Project Management Professional (PMP) / PRINCE II is a plus.
Other requirements for practice include:
- Good computer skills.
- Extensive knowledge in project management tools.
- Good communication skills.
- Good documentation skills.
- High level of self-confidence.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Leadership skills.
- Team spirit.
- Critical thinking.
- Analytic and problem-solving skills.
- Presentation skills.
Salary
In the United States, a Project Manager earns an average base salary of $88,907 with about $13,500 as a cash bonus. This also depends on the firm and the level of the staff. A senior project manager earns about $119,754 a year. It will also be more if he or she works for more than one firm.
Career path
The career path for a Project Manager in a corporate firm is as follows:
- I.T Coordinator
- Chief Operating Officer
- Project Manager
- Senior Project Manager
Usually, the yardsticks for promotion are:
- Capacity building.
- Favorable results from projects.
- Gaining higher education.
Conclusion
To sum up, project managers are very important staff members in every business. Planning and executing projects within the scope of a company’s vision is a plus for every firm. This helps attract investors, as well as build relationships with positive third parties. It also generally increases the status of the organization.
Project Management is a position with professional growth. First-hand experience in handling different projects grants more exposure. A good project manager will not struggle for jobs because no company will want to let go of such an asset.
In conclusion, Project Management offers the privilege of adding value to businesses and society at large.
