The project manager is considered to be the administrative head of the project team, providing operational, functional guidance on its work, as well as supervising all work within the framework of this project. Almost all companies nowadays exist in conditions of increased competition. Therefore, a competent project manager must analyze the market, make development plans and predict changes in this area. Moreover, he must manage these changes, keeping the company's projects and resources at the proper level.
Role in business
In the business sphere, work on a project can be safely considered a manifestation of art. It requires not only employee skills, but also time and effort. Most in demand is such a profession as a project manager in construction, both in housing and in production. Also, these employees are relevant for engineering, architecture and industrial production. Naturally, in other areas such leaders are needed, but in these their services are considered the most relevant.
If we take, for example, computer companies, then representatives of this position should be responsible for the production of new products, the development of new technologies and coordinate strategic programs. Interest in the post "project manager" can also show banking and insurance organizations. They use these specialists to introduce new technologies or standards into the company’s system.
Demand for a post in modern times
Recently, Internet companies have been actively developing. For them, a specialist in this field plays the role of the controller of the launch of new organization sites or the head of the development of new Internet applications. In general, in many business areas there is a great demand for employees for the position of "project manager".
The responsibilities of such employees may vary depending on the area of employment of the company. Commercial and government projects annually need leadership, so tens of thousands of managers are involved in the labor market. There is even a point that now companies are buying these specialists from each other, and they are spending huge resources on this.
Functions
The project manager must monitor the accuracy of the initial plan and the safety of budget expenditures. And it doesn’t matter what is assigned to him, to launch a rocket or to launch a new product on the market, these functions are common to all specialists in this position. Accordingly, it is from him that the head of the project managers will ask if a failure occurs or the work breaks. It is he who is responsible for everything, because the income and position of the company in the industry depends on the results of the manager’s work. For example, if we are talking about a construction company, then for the delay in the deadlines for the completion of the project, the company must pay penalties daily. And depending on how deplorable the situation and the large gap in the manager’s performance of his duties will be, he may be deprived of a bonus or completely taken away. Actually, these are the main functions of the project manager.
Duties
From a specialist who wants to get this position, good organizational skills are required, the ability not only to develop, but also to adhere to the initial plan in the process of work, as well as the ability to simultaneously find solutions to many problems. A candidate for the position should be able to communicate correctly and confidently with people, have an analytical mindset and high stress resistance.The main feature of his character should be the ability to achieve results.
For different projects, the representative of this position should have the appropriate knowledge. In other words, for example, if you need a project manager whose responsibilities are to control housing construction, then he must have an engineering degree. An employee will also be a very big plus if he has studied the basics of business. It is best performed by managers with a bachelor's degree or higher in the specialty of business administration or the financial sector. Since success in the financial plan of the entire organization depends on the responsibilities of this employee, he must be able to evaluate the future results of his work at the enterprise level.
Who is the job for?
Project management is great for qualified professionals who are bored with routine work. The implementation of the project is the preparation of clear tasks, in most cases the pace of work is very high and saturated. In this connection, compiling his resume, the project manager must certainly indicate such qualities as the ability to work in a limited time frame, the ability to solve problems when resources are limited. Indeed, only motivated specialists will be able to carry out activities leading to the expected results.
Where can I learn a profession?
You can get a certificate of a professional in this field at the Institute of Project Managers. To obtain this prestigious document, you need to have not only an appropriate education, but also experience, practice, as a project manager. Training and obtaining takes place by passing the examination paper and testing for knowledge and the implementation of the professional code. Many companies offer promotion or employment only with a certificate. That is why in the resume a project manager applying for a position must indicate the availability of this document. After all, with him, the applicant is much more likely to get a vacant seat.
Job
The project manager must fulfill his responsibilities in strict accordance with a self-drawn up plan. For development, you need to use critical strategy methods. This is the principle of calculating successive iterations, derived on the basis of the existing achievements of the company. Also, when developing a plan, it is worth highlighting all the steps that are necessary to complete certain tasks.
Planning programs
Each manager must be able to work with at least one computer program that allows you to plan actions based on this method. Moreover, it is worth noting that most programs are designed to calculate the plan in a particular industry. Therefore, before planning to get a job, the manager must learn how to work with the program that takes into account the needs of the field related to the company.
Resource allocation is one of the important tasks that a project manager must perform. The job description assumes that he must accurately distribute the available materials for high-quality and productive project work that can bring the expected results. Most computer programs are aimed at electronic calculation of this data. This means that if, for example, it is necessary to calculate when the software will be developed, the manager must determine how many software engineers are needed for this and how long they can complete the project.
And in a situation where construction is coordinated and equipment for it is leased at an hourly rate, the designer will be responsible for calculating the data on how much and when the equipment should be on the construction site. Moreover, he must calculate everything so that rental costs are minimal, and equipment brings maximum benefits for construction.That is, an experienced and qualified project manager must solve the tasks assigned to him using the minimum cost of all resources.
Career
As for a career, project management is most useful in the consulting business. The fact is that this area allows the specialist not only to gain extensive experience, but also opens up the opportunity to acquire knowledge in a wide variety of market segments. Most often, employers give their preference to candidates with a similar track record.
In such companies, a professional who is invited to work after he successfully completes the project may receive a higher position. But this does not always happen, therefore it is impossible to predict career growth. Thus, a top company can be invited to a project in a serious company, but a middle company can be hired to a small company where you need to complete a small project for the company.
If we are talking about hiring a non-consulting organization, then it is important what company the applicant wishes to get employed in. There are differences between the responsibilities of the executor of the position of the project manager, the job description in domestic and western firms is different. So, for example, the full management of serious projects is more important for ours, therefore they are looking for a specialist with a long work experience and the presence of certain skills. But their western competitors often hire young people to control small projects.
At the initial moments of a career, positions of assistant managers are usually offered. They should be responsible for a specific segment of the project. Few people are able to start their careers with such a position as a project manager. And only when the specialist receives sufficient experience for full project management, he is entrusted with more serious responsibilities. Only when the company is confident that this specialist will be able to coordinate the work of people on the project from the first stages to the last, can he get a promotion.
Project coordinator
To get the position of a project manager, you first need to work as a coordinator. This position involves assisting the manager in the performance of his duties. Basically, it consists in performing administrative functions, that is, processing documents.
Project planning manager
The next position on the path to promotion to the project manager is the manager of his planning. His responsibilities most often include software control, entering the necessary information into the system. This post is more technical, and there is little work as a manager.
Assistant Project Manager
This post is the last before promotion. The duties of such a specialist include direct assistance to superiors. Basically, it involves the implementation of specific tasks. Also, this employee should prepare reports on the work on the project and report to the authorities about everything that happens in the workplace.
Project manager
Here, a specialist can independently manage the project or lead a group of other managers who are his assistants. He is responsible for the project directly to customers and senior management. Such a specialist does not contribute, but is responsible for ensuring that the project is completed efficiently, successfully and on time.
General manager
If a company runs several projects simultaneously, then it needs a specialist for such a position. His responsibilities include monitoring the implementation of all projects of the company, coordinating the allocation of various resources, as well as calculating financial investments and making decisions on the priority of the work performed.
Salary
Since each company has individual duties and responsibilities of a specialist as a project manager, the salary mainly depends on the result of the completed project.Most often, there is a specific rate (minimum - 20 thousand rubles), but if the project manages to be completed earlier and lower costs, then in the end, upon completion of work, the employee can count on a very substantial bonus. As for the project manager, his average salary is about 50 thousand rubles per month + bonus according to the results of work.