What does a project executive do? If you are curious about this role or aspire to become one, this article will give you an overview of the main responsibilities, skills, and challenges of a project executive.
A project executive is a senior-level project leader who oversees the strategic direction, planning, execution, and delivery of complex and large-scale projects. They are typically involved in multiple projects at the same time, and work with various stakeholders, such as clients, sponsors, executives, managers, and team members. They are responsible for ensuring that the projects align with the organizational goals, vision, and values, and that they meet the expectations of quality, scope, budget, and time.
As a project executive, you have a range of responsibilities, from defining project objectives and scope to developing and managing the project plan, schedule, budget, and resources. It is also important to lead and motivate the project team, as well as maintain effective communication with clients, sponsors, executives, managers, and other stakeholders. Additionally, you must monitor and control the project performance, quality, and compliance. Finally, you should evaluate and report on the project results, achievements, and lessons learned. All of these tasks are necessary to ensure that the project deliverables are delivered on time and within scope and budget.
In order to be a successful project executive, it is essential to possess a mixture of technical, business, and soft skills. Project management knowledge is necessary to plan, execute, and complete complex and large-scale projects. Leadership capabilities are also essential for inspiring, influencing, and motivating the project team and stakeholders, as well as driving the project vision and strategy. Additionally, excellent communication skills are needed to communicate effectively with different audiences and facilitate collaboration and conflict resolution. Problem-solving abilities are necessary in order to identify and analyze project risks and issues, as well as devise and implement solutions. Furthermore, critical thinking skills are essential for evaluating the project information, assumptions, and alternatives in order to make informed decisions. Finally, high adaptability is important to cope with changing project environment, requirements, and expectations.
I think the balance between methodology and social skills and knowledge is the key. To define what it takes to be a leader is not easy. Every project is different and needs a different skill balance. For me to keep two thinks in focus all the time is the base. Keep the stakeholder benefits at heart and the operational task in mind. Never forget why you do your project and for whom. And also try to balance the steps towards our goal along this purpose. Keep reminding in dailies and stakeholder meetings why and what you do. The rest is experience and learning from failure.
Mais do que saber gerenciar várias equipes, programas e projetos, alguém que ocupe uma posi??o t?o estratégica, precisa saber lidar com vários tipos de metodologias simultaneamente (cascata, ágil, kanban, safe, etc), entretanto criando um método próprio para atender as necessidades de informa??es das partes interessadas, se utilizando de indicadores táticos e operacionais para alimentar os comitês e os indicadores de evolu??o estratégica (OKRs), bem como apoiando na evolu??o e provoca??es aos times sob sua influência e gest?o de maneira a proporcionar uma entrega consistente.
As a project executive, you must be able to manage multiple projects at once and balance the demands of time, resources, quality, and scope. You may also face complex and ambiguous situations, and must be able to resolve conflicts and disputes among the project team and stakeholders. Additionally, you must be able to handle the pressure of meeting project deadlines and expectations, as well as delivering the project outcomes and benefits. Furthermore, you must manage the expectations and interests of the clients, sponsors, executives, managers, and other stakeholders to ensure their satisfaction and buy-in. Finally, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the project management field in order to enhance your skills and knowledge.
A project executive needs to keep the project managers free of high management communication noises, ordering the priorities and following the indications of evolution. The executive need to engage your pairs and align the objectives in order to delivery speed, moving forward the efforts looking to the problem solving and accomplishment of the tasks, but enabling solutions and not pushing problems to the next :)
Managing multiple projects as a project executive involves balancing numerous demands, but it's crucial to also focus on delivering broader benefits. Projects should integrate sustainability, advanced technology, and people-focused strategies to build resilient, future-proof assets. This holistic approach enhances efficiency, encourages environmental responsibility, and fosters a supportive workplace, exceeding stakeholder expectations. Staying updated with trends like agile methodologies and digital tools is essential. By aligning project outcomes with these values, you ensure that your projects not only succeed in traditional terms but also contribute to a sustainable, profitable, and equitable future.
The communication is the bigger challenge for all companies and leaders. It's a 2 way that has more noise than all other project need that suffer with environment, personal owned crisis, intrinsic department culture and some others influences. The executive needs to apply a confidence and human relationship with all, using a clear, direct and professional approach in order to target more people as possible. Keeping an open channel to discuss and receive the themes with patience, respectful feedback and consistence.
Becoming a project executive is a rewarding and challenging career option for project leaders who want to take their skills and experience to the next level. It requires a high level of expertise, responsibility, and leadership, and offers a significant impact and value to the organization and stakeholders. Generally, you need a bachelor's degree or higher in project management, business administration, engineering, or a related field. Additionally, you should have at least 10 years of project management experience managing complex and large-scale projects in your industry or domain. You also need a project management certification from an institute such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) or AXELOS. Lastly, you must have a proven track record of delivering successful projects and demonstrating the project executive skills and competencies.