Douglas Adams, author of the best-selling Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy once said: I love deadlines. I especially love the swooshing sound they make as they fly past.
That’s a great quote if you’re a writer and you’re being humorous – but it’s not quite as amusing if you’re a busy manager and you’re trying to complete a project on time.
People come to project management in different ways. Sometimes they find themselves in charge of a project because their line manager has delegated the job to them. Some people find they are delivering a project because no one else in their local community wanted the responsibility. Sometimes there’s a big job to do at home, like redecorating the kitchen, and it won’t get done unless it’s all co-ordinated properly. There are even those who relish project management and decide to make a career out of it.
So what skills do you really need as a successful project manager?
- An understanding of the various project management techniques that you can call upon to help you deliver the project. In order to get these you really need a course on the subject, as some aspects can be quite technical (though nothing that the average person can’t get to grips with).
- The ability to problem-solve. Problems can arise on even the simplest project. So you need to be able to think logically and work out ways of overcoming difficulties.
- Good listening skills. You don’t normally complete a project on your own – it’s usually a team effort. So, you need to be able to take in and understand what other people are telling you so that you avoid mistakes and confusion.
- The ability to get on with other people. Your job will be much easier if you get people on your side because they like and respect you. This doesn’t just include your team members but also sub-contractors and suppliers.
- The ability to learn. Everyone makes mistakes but you need to learn from those mistakes so that you don’t make them again. You also need to be constantly looking to upgrade your skills.
Finally, you need to understand the importance of deadlines! To finish where we started, good project managers try to achieve their goals before they hear that swooshing sound. Excellent project managers have already planned what to do when they hear it swooshing by!
Author: Diana Nadin
