Do you want to be a project manager but are unsure where to start? This project manager guide will serve as a springboard and resource for your future career as a project manager.
Before starting a project management profession, consider the following:
What attributes do I need to manage projects effectively?
Are you the kind of group leader who likes to keep things organised and on schedule for everyone? Those are some of the traits you’ll need when you’re working as a project manager.
Project management is one of the most challenging positions available. A project manager (PM) is in charge of overseeing all aspects of the project, including planning, carrying it out, controlling it, and reporting. Project managers work with teams all the time.
In addition to managing project expectations with both internal and external stakeholders, a project manager must be able to oversee all aspects of project management.
It's not always enough to simply understand project management to succeed as a project manager. Accountability, adaptability, analytical and strategic thinking, decisiveness, a stress-resistant mentality, and even a liking for risk are necessary for tackling common project management issues. The ability to multitask is crucial because you'll need to develop an intricate project management plan.
As a mentor, your duties will include encouraging and monitoring project team members, setting project job priorities, and communicating the project's general scope to ensure that team members are aware of all pertinent facts.
The following are the most important skills you'll need to succeed in the profession, even if the responsibilities of a project manager are just the tip of the iceberg:
Flexibility – A project manager must be able to adjust to a wide range of individuals from varied cultures, unpredictable events, and shifting circumstances on a daily basis.
Problem solving - Solving problems demands acting simultaneously as a team leader, coworker, and manager. You will be the first person your team meets, making this one of the hardest jobs. Being the first person your team turns to when a problem develops makes this one of the hardest jobs. They might anticipate that you will know the answers to all of their inquiries.
People skills – Project managers must be able to comprehend the difficulties, requirements, and expectations of their team members and clients without getting emotionally invested in their plans. Both official and informal interactions will be had with you.
Expertise in project management does not exist. In reality, you might need to know a little bit of everything depending on the position. General business knowledge is highly valued.
How to Become a Project Manager in the UK
Before you embark on your project management path, you must first decide if this is the right career for you. Read about other project managers' experiences, get in touch with them, and ask them questions. You might also try an internship in project management. You can also get a sense for the subject by taking some introductory courses.
What Project Management Education Do I Need?
You can begin your project management profession by earning a project management or business administration degree.
But, not having a diploma in project management is not a disadvantage; however, if you study it on a regular basis in an academic setting, you will have a leg up. It is never too late to pursue a career that you are passionate about. In reality, the PM does not belong to a single industry. Typically, projects will be associated with another line of industry, such as software, art, logistics, economics, languages, and so on. A design agency may require you to have a degree in Arts or Design in order to have a better understanding of the profession. In this situation, your decision to pursue project management education is totally dependent upon your desire to advance professionally.
Because the academic world teaches you how to study and absorb knowledge gradually, any college degree might be useful for a future project manager. This is critical for a project manager who may have to learn everything about a new project's major field in a short period of time. Self-development, self-learning, and a desire to always improve oneself throughout one's life are essential for keeping one's job at the top.
Tip: Examine how project management works in practice before deciding on a degree. College activities do not provide you with the opportunity to see the true effects of your decisions. Working on a real-world project can teach you everything you need to know about accountability and project management.
As your career as a project manager progresses, you will either feel the need to certify your project management knowledge or your company may request that you obtain a certificate. Although certifications may gradually lose their value in the eyes of recruiters, the experience you'll gain during training and tests is priceless.
A PM certificate is useful, but substantial knowledge and expertise in the sector are more important for project success. It is important to realise that certifications are not everything. No one will want to work with you if you have all the qualifications in the world but no genuine knowledge or working experience in project management.
What are the most significant PM certifications available?
Do not rush into pursuing any project management qualification. You should also study for a certification relating to the projects you work on or the sector you operate in.
The perspectives expressed in various project management training opportunities differ. It's best to consider all viewpoints because you'll most likely need all of the knowledge in the future. They are not diametrically opposed. They are, in reality, complementary, and you will require all of them for successful project completion.
Here is a list of project management certifications to think about:
The PRINCE2 Certification
The PRINCE2 (PRojects IN Controlled Environments) approach is a project management technique. PRINCE2 was created by the UK government, thus if you plan on working in the UK, you should consider taking this qualification.
You can pursue one of two main learning routes with this certification:
PRINCE2 Foundation
This initial level can confirm your fundamental understanding of this strategy. There are no prerequisites for taking this exam, but prior project management experience is recommended. Having this certificate does not qualify you to be a project manager, but it does allow you to work in a team that uses PRINCE2 as a project management methodology.
PRINCE2 Practitioner
This level determines if the candidate can apply the PRINCE2 technique in real-world circumstances. It is possibly the most crucial one you may obtain if you intend to work with PRINCE2 in the future. The qualification allows you to work as a project manager capable of applying the PRINCE2 principles to a project.
PRINCE2 & Agile
PRINCE2 divides project control between a higher-authority project board and a project manager. While the board is in charge of giving resources and establishing business justification, the project manager is in charge of day-to-day operations and team management.
PRINCE2 can provide stronger resource control, increased risk management, structured accountability allocation, a focus on the final user, regular review cycles, and coordinated planning and execution when compared to alternative methodologies. This project management method incorporates all of the important topics, ideas, and processes required to complete a project from beginning to end.
AgilePM
Agile is a set of processes and ideas that work well for products and initiatives that are subject to a variety of changes as they proceed. This approach is founded on short delivery cycles (known as sprints) and a dynamic work environment that encourages ongoing team involvement.
Agile emphasises team members and their constant feedback, which can change the direction of a project. Stakeholders will assess each stage and make improvements as needed. This technique enables the entire team to share project responsibilities by putting specific individuals or collaborative activities in charge. Because projects are highly flexible, there is no clear established course or comprehensive control.
Despite specific objectives, deliverables and outcomes are subject to change. That’s why taking the PRINCE2 Agile Foundation and PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner courses will provide you with sought after project management certifications to secure your career in project management.
What is your next step?
Your career path does not have to end with project management. You can advance to the position of program manager and supervise numerous connected projects. A portfolio manager position is another option; these professionals are in charge of selecting and prioritising future initiatives in accordance with an organisation's policies and strategy. Finally, you might work as an office manager for project management. This role contributes to the overall project organisation of the corporation.