Blog

Project management is leading a team to complete specific objectives within a given timeframe and budget. Being able to lead a project is a highly in-demand skill as organizations that undervalue project management report that 67% of projects fail. These projects fall under the responsibility of a project manager, who oversees everything from start to finish. This means that if you want your projects to succeed, you're going to need the best project managers on board.​

Below are 4 skills to look for from project managers that you plan to hire or assign to the position:​

Communication​

Project managers deal with a lot of people — this ranges from their own team members and company supervisors to stakeholders and sponsors. As such, one of many key skills to look for in a project manager is their ability to communicate effectively. Project managers need to make sure that everyone involved in the project understands their role and task.​
​You should look for someone who is able to present plans and ideas in a clear and concise manner. This means that they can make you quickly understand the tasks included in the plan and have answers to any questions you may have.​

Time management​​

The many objectives that contribute to a project’s success need to be accomplished within a time frame. This is a tough job since projects need to meet certain deadlines to maximize their success and also avoid going over budget. In order to achieve this, project managers need to have good time management skills. They should be able to handle multiple tasks and deadlines at once. It also means that they will be at the right place at the right time since project managers tend to meet with different people throughout the project duration.​
​Find someone who has a reputation for always completing their tasks on time. Additionally, your ideal project manager should know how to prioritize tasks.​

Leadership

A project will usually involve many people from its inception to its completion. These people will need guidance so that they can do their part accordingly. In fact, a study found that leadership has a direct impact on a project’s success. This is due to leadership boosting a team’s work quality in terms of cohesion and coordination.​

​With good leadership skills, project managers will be able to guide the different members involved in the project process through facilitating meetings, holding contributors accountable, and answering questions. Make sure that your project manager is reliable, meaning they have helped others with problems and people are comfortable depending on them. Also, look for someone who has been successful in motivating others either through words or guidance, especially during tough times.​

Adaptability​

In the process of completing a project, changes cannot be avoided. In fact, scope creep is one of the most common causes of project failure. A scope creep is when a project grows uncontrollably, spiraling over budget and time. These unexpected events can catch a team off guard, and easily derail a project.​
​Therefore, project managers must be adaptable to unforeseen situations. They must be quick to think of responses to these changes in order to keep the project on track. Adaptability will allow them to become effective leaders that will lead a project to its success no matter the challenges encountered.​
​When assigning someone to be a project manager, it’s best to ask them what unexpected work situations they were able to overcome. Their answer should include coming up with creative solutions or changing the way they view the problem.​
​
Project managers are the key to great project implementation. Through the skills they possess, they can lead projects — and your company — to success.