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Are you the type of person who is detail-oriented, highly organized, and enjoys working with others? Then a project manager career path may suit you well. Project managers are responsible for overseeing team members, keeping projects on track, and motivating everyone to work toward a common goal.

With a better understanding of what project management entails, along with the types of skills required to be a successful project manager, you can determine whether this line of work may be right for you.

The Basics of Project Management Skills

Project managers carry a great deal of responsibility in their day-to-day work, with common duties including:

  • Researching and presenting ideas for projects.
  • Developing detailed research plans.
  • Recruiting team members to contribute to a project’s success.
  • Delegating responsibilities and setting deadlines for deliverables.
  • Budget forecasting and resource allocation.
  • Communicating across teams and departments as needed.

Why Project Management Skills Are Pivotal

Successful project managers tend to possess an expansive set of soft skills and technical skills to do their jobs well. From communication and adaptability to task management and the use of Gantt charts, project managers work on sharpening essential skills throughout their careers.

Essential Soft Skills for Mastering Project Management

So, what are some of the most important soft skills needed in project management? Communication, leadership, collaboration, and adaptability are among those that all types of project managers should possess.

The Role of Communication in Project Management

Project managers are often responsible for overseeing large teams—and sometimes, team members may work across departments with very different goals and ways of doing things. Project managers must have strong communication skills to keep everybody on the same page and working toward the same goal. Meanwhile, excellent communication skills can ensure that project expectations are clear, minimizing errors and oversights.

Nurturing Leadership Qualities

Team members will look to their project managers for guidance throughout the project, so these professionals must also have strong leadership qualities. Being able to effectively lead and motivate a team will come in handy, as will the ability to delegate tasks and resolve conflicts as they arise.

Emphasis on Collaboration and Teamwork

At the end of the day, successful project managers must also be team players, aiming to keep everyone working in harmony toward the project’s stated outcomes. They should be able to encourage and inspire team members to work together productively with the end goal in mind, even when things get challenging.

The Importance of Adaptability

Projects are far from predictable, so successful project managers need to be prepared to adapt and think on their feet for the sake of the company. Being able to re-assign tasks, pivot focus when needed, and even take on some of the work themselves are all essential when working as a project manager.

Must-Have Hard Skills for Effective Project Management

Aside from soft skills, there are also several hard skills that project managers should have to successfully lead teams and keep projects on track.

Proficiency in Project Planning and Scoping

When a project manager is approached with a project, they are typically given little information aside from an end goal. From there, it is up to the project manager to determine how to achieve that goal. As you can imagine, this requires a great deal of planning. From building the ideal team to creating timelines and deadlines for deliverables, excellent project planning skills are an essential part of the job.

The Art of Task Management

Organization and task management are also important in project management, especially for larger projects with a lot of smaller tasks and deadlines at play. By prioritizing tasks and keeping teams focused on what matters most, project managers can lead groups to success.

The Significance of Project Forecasting

Nobody can tell what the future holds, but project managers do need to have forecasting skills that allow them to make educated predictions about an ongoing project. This is done by looking closely at metrics like performance, cost, and duration and making informed decisions to keep things proceeding on time and on budget.

Technical Skills: A Competitive Edge in Project Management

At first glance, project management may not seem like highly technical work. However, there are a lot of technical skills required to successfully lead and execute a project.

Mastering Project Management Software

Most project managers use project management software to help them track progress, keep team members informed, and even build custom workflows. There are many commonly used project management tools that these professionals should be familiar with, ranging from Asana and Smartsheet to Wrike, QuickBase, and more.

Understanding Gantt Charts and Their Usage

Gantt charts are an extremely useful tool for project managers, making it easier to visualize the progress of each project and keep things moving smoothly. Knowing how to effectively create, use, and manage Gantt charts is an extremely valuable skill for project managers.

The Benefits of Agile Management

Agile project management is another important technical skill to possess in this line of work. Agile management refers to a project management approach that is centered around ongoing releases and continuous client feedback. Understanding how to use this approach can prove extremely useful to project managers, especially when it comes to problem-solving and team building.

Enhancing Your Project Management Abilities

While some more technical project management skills can be learned in school or training, the reality is that the most successful project managers are proactive about developing their abilities outside the scope of work or school. There are a few key skills that you can work on strengthening now to prepare for the challenges of this dynamic field.

The Power of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

During the scope of any project, a project manager will be deferred to throughout to make decisions for the entire group—often with little notice or obvious “best” course of action. Project managers need to be able to think quickly and critically, making important decisions even when the choice is not obvious. This requires solid critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as an open-mindedness and confidence that not everyone possesses naturally.

Time Management: A Key to Successful Project Completion

With so many moving parts to any project, the best project managers know how to manage their time (and their team members’ time) responsibly. One useful strategy that can come in handy within the realm of time management for projects is the 80/20 rule. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be completed, this rule dictates that 20 percent of your efforts should yield 80 percent of your results.

With this principle in mind, you can make more informed decisions regarding which tasks are worth your immediate time and focus versus which ones can be delayed or delegated.

Organization Skills: Setting the Path for Smooth Execution

Project managers are expected to bring order to chaos and keep things sorted. Having strong organizational skills is a must for successful project managers, including personal organization but also the ability to organize entire teams. Often, this is not a skill that can be perfected overnight—but one that takes a great deal of time and practice to achieve.

Practical Experience: The Best Teacher

Never underestimate the value of hands-on experience. Getting in the field and managing some projects (no matter how big or small) will be the most realistic way to grow your confidence and put your skills into practice. All experience is good experience, and leading even a small project can teach you some valuable lessons that you can carry with you throughout your career. Experience also looks good on a resume, so be sure to include any internships or projects that you have managed when it comes time to search for a job.

The Value of Project Management Certifications & Training Programs

Formal certifications and training programs can also go a long way toward helping you sharpen project management skills, including both soft and hard skills that are needed to do the job well.

There are several project management certificate programs and other training programs available, many of which are offered in an online format so you can work toward improving your skills around your busy schedule. Explore some of the certifications available through the Project Management Institute to get started, including:

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)®
  • Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)®
  • Program Management Professional (PgMP)®

Likewise, colleges and universities may also offer certificate programs or other formal project management programs to suit your needs.

Implementing Project Management Skills in Real-Time

Of course, learning the principles of project management in the classroom is one thing. Applying what you have learned to a real-life project can be an entirely different experience.

Effective Team Management and Collaboration in Practice

No two teams will be exactly alike, which is why being able to practice your team management and collaboration skills in a real-world project is so useful. Team members will respond differently to various leadership and team-building strategies, so project managers need to be ready to adapt their team management skills as needed.

Applying Risk and Cost Management Techniques

Risk and cost management are important skills that project managers need to possess, especially when it comes to keeping projects on-task and on budget. Applying principles of risk management and cost management using simple spreadsheets (or robust software programs) is key to maintaining control over a project.

How Can Project Management Skills Prepare You for Future Challenges?

The field of project management is constantly changing and evolving alongside the workforce, which is why the most successful project managers should always be looking for new ways to apply what they have learned. Those with established success in project management have many opportunities available to them, and it is not uncommon for these professionals to work their way up the ladder to eventually work in corporate leadership positions (such as Chief Operating Officer) of a company.

Are There Other Ways to Develop These Skills?

If you hold an undergraduate degree and seek advanced education in project management, consider Post University’s online Graduate Certificate in Project Management or our a Master of Science in Project Management program. These courses provide a platform to cultivate professional skills essential for effective project management, including risk assessment, team leadership, financial oversight, and more.

Get in touch to learn more about Post University’s Graduate Certificate in Project Management or start your application today.

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Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.