Acquiring Vital Competencies and Soft Skills for the Labour Market – Project Management (Series 1)
A lot of companies are in need of competent project managers. In addition to other qualifications, having this competence is a big added advantage in the labour market.
Project management is the application of processes, methods, skills, knowledge, and experience to achieve specific project objectives according to the agreed project criteria within a specific time schedule.
Project management is handling and completing a project according to customers’ needs and expectations, not managers’ discretion.
A lot of people assume what they feel is right for the customer and impose it on the client. However, effective project management must confer with the customer and deliver according to customers’ demands.
The five stages of project management are;
1. Conception and Initiation
2. Planning
3. Execution
4. Performance Monitoring and control
5. Project closure
A competent project manager must have the ability to manage all the above stages of a project successfully to completion and closure.
The efficiency of a project manager is very crucial to the success of any project. Therefore, he or she must work to develop the following competencies;
Execution
• Ability to ensure scope development and management
• Ability to develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and timelines
• He/she must possess strong organizational skills
• He/ She must manage time schedule effectively.
• He/ He must minimize risk effectively and respond to risk promptly.
Decision Making
• Decision making is crucial. Therefore a good project manager must have the ability to use information impacting the project to take sensitive decisions is essential. Decisions must be taken based on facts, circumstances, and needs.
• Evaluate scenarios and carry out scenario analysis
Communication
• Many stakeholders are involved in a project. He / She must convey information to all key stakeholders in both written and verbal formats
• He / She must use the appropriate communication channels
• Analyze and extract useful information from a collection of data
• Utilize active listening skills
• Ability to prepare and deliver excellent presentations
Strategy Development
• Appreciates the influence of a project directly to and across various functions
• Appreciates the influence of a project to the overall business
• Integrates business goals into the project scope and deliverables
• Works out a system of measurement to track progress towards goals
• Knows project and organizational dependencies
Team Management
• Motivates the team to achieve results
• Manages and resolves conflict
• Builds relationships within and outside the team
• Delegates appropriate duties to other members of the team
• Demonstrates team organization and governance
Business Acumen
• Has a good understanding of industry trends and their impact on business
• Manages changes that affect the project and business
• Monitors competition and its impact on the project and business
Technical Competence
• Understands and integrates appropriate project management tools and processes
• Has a good knowledge of requisite subject matter expertise (SME)
Leadership
Takes initiative and leads by example
• Mentors team members
• Effects change and monitors performance and progress
• Does not respond hastily to issues but has the capacity to judge issues in a diplomatic and astute manner.
Written By. Engr. Mrs. Nkese Umofia
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