To become a successful Project Manager- The 'R'factor

I remember, when I took the role of Project Manager first-time, I had been told this role was nothing shorter than James Bond 007, one man army for all. The fearless a fictional British Secret Service agent

The recent Tollywood blockbuster RRR (which stands for Rise, Roar, Revolt) is an action drama movie. It is directed by Rajamouli, stars Rama Rao, Ram Charan (R-R-R)

The ‘R’ makes wonders.

Recent past I realized that to become a successful Project manager the ‘R’- Factor is very much necessary and should be adopted at all times.

1.???Respectful

The PM should be respectful not only with the customer, stakeholders but also with his own delivery team at all times. Being respectful builds the relationships, bonds together, symphony at team-work and will resolve conflicts amicably.

2.??Resilient

The PM should be strong and recovers readily from adversity. He\she should bounce back to normal state in no time. The sooner you bring back yourself to normal, fully energetic the more you sure in achieving success, your goal, your targets.

During the course of project management there are so many difficult stages a PM might undergo. The moment you took in charge as PM, you should own and you have to behave like a true leader. Remember, you are the role model especially for your team and the success lies not only with your self-motivation ?but also motivating your team at difficult times.

3.??Recharge

We are human beings, there are always difficult times, nothing is a cakewalk. But one can raises from downfall, proves his leadership if he/she has the quality of recharging to full extent in minimal time. You shouldn’t be down with challenges during project execution, but face them boldly. If everything is manageable why you are here? What is special significance of your existence and playing the role of PM?

Yes, sometimes you feel you are exhausted, your energy, enthusiasm drained completely, but you pat back on yourself, and Take a break along with the team.

This is must and very much necessary, however recharge quickly, with double force and you will realize how easily you can conquer these challenges once you recharge, energize your team. So take a break get-set-go.

4.??Research

The success lies for a PM not only in managing, executing the given projects but also doing relentless research on customer business, his vision, his strategic goals, his future business expansion ideas & areas.

Analyzing and having a thorough understanding of existing customer(s) business, by doing research, consulting will definitely provide many more further business opportunities with the same customer.

These proactive measures will certainly delight customer and feel comfortable in making long term relationships by providing more new business opportunities.

5.??Resourceful

PM should acquire the essential quality of being resourceful.

This is an extraordinary quality where in PM should be capable of dealing with difficult situations/challenges.

The real leadership qualities will come out when you are in pressure, facing tough challenges and this is the measure how you withstand and overcome these challenges.

As a leader you are supposed to be protecting your delivery team (Developers, Testers etc..) at all times helping in resolving roadblocks, bottlenecks, dependencies, customer escalations etc.

You are the first person to face the heat, and make sure it is not spreading on down to the team. You have to be got ready to take the blame equally as good as fame.

With this position, you get no better feeling than completing the project meeting all customer expectations, goals, and standards you will soon forget all hardships but remember your success forever, adding another feather to your cap.

6.??Retain customer(s)

Retaining an existing customer for longer period is an art. You have to deliver your goods ‘right’ at first time DRFT (Deliver Right at First Time).

You rarely get second chance to make corrections/rectifications of your deliverables which are not meeting standards, but at the cost of losing customer confidence, satisfaction and expectations which are strong foundations of retaining existing customer(s).

These highly satisfied customers will definitely provide references (another ‘R’ ??) for their internal customers, their known customers within their network. You will get free advertising, publicity simply by word of mouth when you do your DRFT.

7.??Repeat business

PM should not concentrate only on deliverables that have been asked/responsible for, but he should get the ways out of squeezing more business.

Here I would recollect of an example of PM playing role of a doctor vs restaurant bearer.

When you visit a doctor, he asks what are all your difficulties and he will list down your challenges that you are facing and the doctor will provide his services to those challenges that you have told him.

This is nothing but asking customer ‘tell us your requirements’ and you list down those and provide the deliverables. This is an obsolete and not recommended now a days, those days are gone.

Now come to other scenario, where you go to a restaurant, and you look for a menu or bearer to get to know, what are all the dishes, verities, specials that are famous for that restaurant.

You will order as per your choice and you will get your services accordingly. The choice is given to you, you are free to choose, more verities or even you can ask your customized choices.You will excited to know a large scale of services available and you are free to choose.

This is offering your services, specialization, cutting edge technologies, uniqueness that you only have others do not. This is an art of selling yourself, your valuable services.

So, my point is, no customer will tell his business requirements, its you as a service provider expected to identify and acknowledge customer business requirements by detailing out, educating the customer about your organization capabilities, special qualities, state of art strengths by providing proven track record etc...?

8.??Recognition

The PM should always look for, how to get recognized his or his team’s hardened efforts by customer, stake holders, his organizational higher management.

You are the best person to motivate your team, recognize and reward (another two ‘R’s) your team star performers. Recognize them at wider audience, appreciate them for even smallest achievements. Celebrate their special days (birthdays, anniversaries etc...) together.

These acts certainly boost team’s morality and you will see more wonders happening.

Give your best shot winning customer heart and he should always think of you and your team for engaging constantly and continuously by providing his new business requirements.

9.??ROI (Return On Investment)

The last but not the least perhaps most important for running a successful business is how better is your ROI, your OM (Operating Margin).

You might have a little or no control on these factors but if at all you have, think it on your resources rate-card (again ‘R’s) is an optimized one. Too high resourcing cost will difficult to win new business and too low you can’t run your own business.

Encourage your resources to be more on cross-skilled, with latest and more happening technologies and not to stick with only one technology front.

Encourage them to do relevant certifications look for providing ‘You pass we pay’ scheme by discussing with higher management, and let organization pay for their completing these specialized courses. This investment is a little compare to getting ROI in bigger picture.

The higher skills (in demand, niche skills) resource availability that you have, then the more you can sell them in market, win over other organizations competition, and needless to say better earning scope of ROI.

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Friends these are few thoughts I personally felt and experienced, wanted to share with you. Please feel free to add, modify and debate at the interest of Project Manager Community.

I welcome your comments, suggestions.