As A Project Manager - You Must Walk the Talk for Yourself and the Company

If you are the Project Manager in a company you will be responsible for "walking the talk" for yourself and your company.

"Walking the Talk" means putting your words into action—showing that you mean what you say by actively doing it yourself, and in so doing, you also "walk the talk" for the company. It is a version of the everyday phrase "practice what you preach," or in a company project, produce the outcome the company is expected to produce.

What is Project Management

Project management is identifying what needs to be done to achieve the project objective, and planning how to accomplish those activities. It’s following your plan, monitoring the work being performed and ensuring all work supports the business need. Planning is essential to project management, as is leadership, communication and understanding how progress compares to the plan.

Definition of a project - So, what is a project?

·???????? Temporary venture with a beginning and end.

·???????? Set of interrelated tasks and activities aimed at a single objective.

·???????? Comprehensive approach that produces a unique product, service or result, or alters an existing product.

?Why do projects exist

Projects exist for any number of reasons. The scale and complexity of projects vary, but all are undertaken to address a business need or take advantage of an opportunity.

Projects, in essence, drive business. Planning for a project objective is imperative.

The Importance of a Structured Approach

For all but the simplest projects, a systematic approach works best. Why? A formal, structured approach offers control over complexities and variables. When the goals, resources and schedule for a project are systematically plotted, your chances for success skyrocket.

Elements of project management

"A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK? Guide) — Sixth Edition, 2017" identifies five process groups within project management:

• Initiating,
• planning,
• executing,
• monitoring and controlling, and,
• closing.

These five process groups help project managers focus on the work required at different points in the project lifecycle.

Along with the five process groups, project management draws on 10 knowledge areas or aspects of the project that must be managed, coordinated and overseen.

The 10 knowledge areas are

·???????? integration,

·???????? scope,

·???????? schedule,

·???????? cost,

·???????? quality,

·???????? resources,

·???????? communications,

·???????? risk,

·???????? procurement and,

·???????? stakeholder management.

By first thinking about your projects in logical steps — the five process groups — and then considering each project aspect that must be managed — the 10 knowledge areas — you provide structure and increase the chances of meeting your goals!

What is a Project Manager?

Effective project managers are chameleons: At times diplomat, taskmaster, detective, friend, enemy — and always a leader.

It’s a job characterized by wearing multiple hats and juggling roles. Along with general management skills, being a good project manager requires the ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve conflicts.

The project manager is accountable for every project element, but often has limited authority.

But remember: As project manager, you are ultimately responsible for a project’s success or failure. If the project scope is unclear or work is executed poorly, you are accountable. So, to successfully manage a project from start to finish, you must be committed, aware and engaged!

Hard and soft skills

Hard skills are the actual processes, procedures, tools and techniques that comprise planning, organizing, monitoring and controlling. This means delivering the assigned project on schedule and within budget, and meeting stakeholder expectations.

Soft skills are the project manager’s interpersonal talents, attitudes and behaviors. The project manager has a responsibility to build relationships, gain and maintain support, and provide a positive work experience for stakeholders and team members. Your soft skills will support your ability to fill the roles of leader, motivator, influence, facilitator, communicator, negotiator and active listener.

Traits of a good project manager

The makeup of a good project manager is as complex as the projects you’ll encounter. It’s your job to plan, handle, manage and “sweat the small stuff.” Remove and deal with distractions and issues so others can focus on their responsibilities.

?Successful project managers share certain attributes, skills and abilities. To become a good project manager, you need to:

·???????? Be an innate leader.

·???????? Be well organized.

·???????? Be able to maintain focus.

·???????? Be a good communicator.

·???????? Be willing to play bad cop.

·???????? Be empathic.

·???????? Be able to perform under pressure.

·???????? Be a quick learner.

·???????? Be able to compromise.

?Traits of a good project leader

A leader is a visionary, someone who inspires the team through actions. It’s that “can do” attitude, optimism and enthusiasm that sets you apart from the followers — but keeps them following.

Because the project manager manages the project itself and not the individual team members who contribute to its completion, it’s essential you “walk the talk” and lead by example. Always make team members feel they have a stake in the project; that their individual and collective contributions are appreciated. This sets the tone for strong collaboration and commitment to project goals.

Team members should be able to turn to you for assistance, but not feel they’re being micromanaged. Good leaders delegate and allow people to actively participate.

Think of it this way: You are taking a group of strangers and forging them into a focused, cohesive team. As leader, you are responsible for that transformation and its success or failure. Finding an effective way to achieve that goal is project management leadership — it’s what separates dreamers from leaders

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Next article will focus on project management strategy