Insight Into Project Manager (PMP) Role And Responsibilities

We have seen the pillars of a business are the project they earn. As the company grows, grows with them the responsibility of the successful initiation, planning, design, execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of a project. A project manager is the one in charge of the successful development and completion of the project. Project manager applies the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to the project activities as per the requirement. Project management is the exciting and strategic role.

In this blog we will cover the following topics:

1) Roles and responsibilities of project manager 2) Waysto nurture the Project manager role

1) Roles and responsibilities of project manager

From making the small and large decisions to controlling risk and minimizing uncertainty, the roles and responsibility of the Project Manager extend much more. Let us brief the project execution methods performed by the Project manager  below:

Read: Project Management (PMP) Career Path & Future Scope

Step #1 - Develop the big idea

The project when born, even the basic structure will be unclear in many cases. It is the Project manager job to develop the big idea. A project manager is expected to pick up an idea, get involved in the earliest stage of the project. Then develop a full business case, and turn that into a project plan that could be executed successfully. In general, working from the scratch and picturing out the feasibility of execution, Project manager handles them all.

Step #2 - Put the team together

When the idea seems to be feasible, then the role Project manager is to put together by forming a team who can work on turning that layout into reality. Hiring members each time will not be possible, hence it is the project manager’s  task to get the available resources and coordinate with the project

Step #3 - Organizeand coordinate the plan

In the initial stages, when the team is formed, The Project manager works with the team members to define the tasks exactly as it needs to be done. He makes sure that every member of the team understands the goals and objectives by setting a clear definition of the work. It's worth phrasing all this in terms of business value or benefits: in other words, explain why you are embarking on this new piece of work.

Step #4 - Lead the team

Once the team is clear with the benefits, the project manager puts the team together. It is he who leads the team, aiming to achieve together. Leading the team is not a simple task as it involves negotiating the challenges in the phases of disagreements, conflict, and being on top of things and top of communications at all times. He has to coordinate by motivating the team and by acting as a coach to the team in order to do a great job, even at the tough times.

Read: How To Get PMP Certification Successfully?

A project manager’s task also involves mentoring, coaching, training, and developing the people working on the project. In order to Lead the team the Project manager will have to recognize the team’s strength and weakness. He can use techniques like online project management tools or face-to-face team meetings, etc for smooth flow of the project execution. The image taken from the digital project management shows the methodologies of project management.

Step #5 - Managing the expense

Project execution costs money, and being effective to put together the budget of the project is the key skill required for a project manager. In order to manage the money and for controlling the project costs Project managers can follow the methods given below: Read More: PMP Interview Questions & Answers Project managers can do this by:

• Creating estimates that cover the expenses of project tasks and the resources required.
• The project manager should work with the field experts and make sure that the estimate is comprehensive and complete.
• Using all the data and estimates to figure the project budget.
• Once the project budget is finalized, Project manager explains that to the customer making them clear on all the hows and whys of the budget.
• Throughout the project cycle, the Project manager has to be alert in managing, by comparing the expenditure to the estimates. Cost control and sticking to the budget has defined the efficiency of the Project manager.

Step #6 –The decision power.

A Project manager accounts to all the major decisions of the project. Either in the form of suggestion, recommendations or demand, Project manager holds the decision power. For the decisions that have to be approved by the customer, the negotiation skills and convincing ability of the Project manager does the task. Engaging the stake holder is done by the Project manager by working with the people who are involved in the project by ensuring that they understand and foresees the changes that are coming. These skills are acquired by the Project manager by his experience and focus.

Step #7 –Deliver the objectives committed

Delivering the project as needed is the ultimate aim of the team and the Project manager ensures it by being accountable for that. Being able to deliver effectively on what was promised defines the success of the Project manager. Having the checklist and measuring that by assessing the works committed verses works completed gives the Project manager the control on the deliver ables.

Read: What is PMP? PMP Tutorial Guide for Beginners

Good planning, strong leadership and the ability of the Project manager to see each and every detail will help immensely.

Step #8 - Manage the handover

Now that the project tasks are completed the most important role of Project manager at the end of the execution phase is to make sure that the customer and the end users are provided with a clear and complete handover. Handing over the project to the team managing the project will let the Project manager take a step back if the execution and handover are done perfectly.

2) Ways to nurture the Project manager role

• Read blogs: Make reading blogs defining techniques of project management a habit on a regular basis. Reading blogs will help you gather a lot of information and techniques.
• Twitter: Twitter search, "project management," will fetch you with the topic that sparks your skills and imagination.
• Follow webinars from industry thought leaders: webinars are a great way to get valuable project management tips and get updated with the trending tools.
• Join in LinkedIn Groups: An effective way to network with like-minded professionals is LinkedIn groups.This will provide you with a deeper insight into project management.
• Professional organizations: Become members of PMI that are the world's leading not-for-profit membership association that is exclusively meant for the project management profession.
• Get PMP Certification: PMI's Project Management Professional® (PMP®) Certification is one of the most well-known projects management credentials. It is the widely accepted standard that puts forward a professional level of competence in project management. Many employers seek candidates with PMP Certification, as this certification ensures that the individual's skill in project management has been tested formally.
• Keep learning: Learn by educating yourself through attending classes, earning certificates, and strive towards obtaining and maintaining PMP Certification with the help of recognized PMI Registered Education Provider.

Summary

So that's what a project manager does all day. Each company and its environment are different and so are the projects.It is the Project manager who contributes to these elements of the company. Project management is a wide-ranging and challenging job, but a great career choice too. If you are planning to become a Project manager encourage and motivate the team and make your project a place where the people get a platform to grow and develop new skills. Building a sense of ‘team' with the resources. Also, monitor the amount of work being done on the project with the amount spent. Summing up the role of the project manager

• Has vast knowledge of handling the project, methodology and techniques;
• Good understanding of the objectives of the project.
• Ability to work positively team.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Good knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation procedures
• The ability to find efficient ways to resolve disputes and problem handling skills.
• Systematic reporting and tracking on all tasks, keeping the senior management informed.
• Provide training to project execution teams.

Read: Top Project Management (PMP) Interview Questions and Answers

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