A career as a project manager is an important one in that it is a role that can determine the success or failure of important projects. To be a success as a project manager, you’ll want to have the best tools available on hand. At InLoox, we offer some of the best project management products that you can purchase online. In fact, we even offer our clients a free trial so that they can try our solutions out before deciding to buy. We offer a Web-based, cloud solution called InLoox now! and an on-premise solution called InLoox PM that works with Microsoft Outlook and can be used with or without Microsoft Exchange Server.
For the successful completion of projects both large and small, businesses utilize a project manager. Professionals who are unfamiliar with this role may ask the question, “Exactly what is a project manager?” This person is a professional in the industry in which they work and is responsible for project management. The project manager is the person who ensures that successful progress is being made and that failure or financial loss is minimal if not nonexistent. Project managers can be found in several different industries and may go by different titles accordingly. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook, a construction manager is another name for a project manager. In addition to construction, project managers also work in industries such as engineering, information technology, and architecture, to name a few.
The answer to the question of “What does a project manager do?” is a simple one. As the name implies, the project manager performs project management, which entails the various stages and steps to completion of a goal or project. These stages, or steps, include planning the project and keeping it organized, motivating all parties involved, ensuring that everyone adheres to protocols, and keeping track of resources. Ultimately, a project manager ensures that the job is complete and that the goals have been met. Often, these goals include finishing on time and within budget. This is done by acting as a liaison between the various parties involved, from contractors to members of the project team.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in business management is the beginning of the answer to how to become a project manager. Some individuals may seek a bachelor’s degree in the area of project management that they are interested in pursuing. For example, a person who intends to pursue a career as an IT project manager may wish to get a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Upon receiving one’s bachelor degree, some may join a project management program at the graduate level or obtain certification from project management associations.
How much a person can earn annually as a project manager varies according to experience and the specific field of expertise. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, project managers who work in construction, or construction managers, earned a median salary of $82,790. This median salary was based on 2012 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The handbook also notes that the median salary for IT project managers is $120,950.
In order to build a good reputation and be successful as a project manager, one must first understand how to be a good project manager. This starts with having the personality traits that are necessary to do the job. One of the most crucial traits to have is the ability to organize. A good project manager can keep the project and everyone involved organized and on track. In addition to being organized, a project manager must be punctual and have a strong eye for details, as these are important aspects of project management. But arguably the most important skill that it takes to be a project manager is leadership. As the project manager, one must be able to act swiftly and wisely under pressure, be able to delegate appropriately, and have the ability to interact with everyone involved. The latter means that they must be people-oriented and have the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and through written communication. As a leader, one must also be prepared to step in when required. This means understanding and having the ability to perform various tasks needed to complete the project.