Strategy Execution - The top skills for project managers
- 1. TOP SKILLS FOR PROJECT MANAGERS BUILD SKILL SETS. CHANGE MINDSETS. WWW.STRATEGYEX.CO.UK
- 2. WHAT MAKES CERTAIN SKILLS IMPORTANT TO PROJECT MANAGERS? • These are the focus points that should be part of your skillset because they will help you get the job done more effectively. • When we speak about ‘effectively’ we mean faster and with less effort. Here are some of the most important skills for a good Project Manager to have.
- 3. LEADERSHIPS & NEGOTIATION • Being able to lead your team as well as manage them is really important. You must be able to inspire others, set the vision and lead effectively. • Project managers with good negotiation skills will be an asset to their teams as they seek to resolve conflicts by finding the win-win scenarios for everyone.
- 4. SCHEDULING & COST CONTROL • Get to grips with project scheduling because a) it’s a core skills and requirement of your job and b) it will help you deliver things more successfully for others (which is also your job). • Cost Management is a critical topic for project managers. You need to show that you can deliver your project within the cost constraints and by managing the project finances intelligently.
- 5. RISK MANAGEMENT & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT • Being able to control risk (as far as you can) is a sign that you are on top of your project. Project sponsors hate surprises and good risk management is one way that you can manage that. • Part of managing your project involves managing suppliers. The vast majority of projects will have an element of supply. Contract management is about being able to actively manage procurements.
- 6. CRITICAL THINKING & COMMUNICATION • Critical thinking is core to being able to make good decisions. You have to weigh up the pros and cons of solutions to problems before choosing the right way forward. • We fail time and time again to meet expectations largely because we failed to communicate effectively and often. Communicate widely, consult widely and listen to the responses you get. Plan your communications and take third parties into account too.
- 7. PROJECT RECOVERY & COACHING • Showing you know how to turn around a poorly performing team and project will certainly set you aside from your peers. • Most of the people on your project team won’t work for you which makes it really important that you are good at managing in a matrixed environment and also that you are good at coaching as you’ll have to coach them to top performance.
- 8. TASK MANAGEMENT & QUALITY MANAGEMENT • The best way to make sure that projects come in on time and others take responsibility for their deliverables is by creating a task list, delegating work to others and keeping on top of progress. • Quality management ensures that you deliver a product that is fit for purpose. The better the quality of your deliverables, the better value you are offering stakeholders and the more satisfied they will be.
- 9. MEETINGS MANAGEMENT & BUSINESS CASE WRITING • Being able to sense when a meeting is going off the rails and people aren’t paying attention is a key skill for project managers. It’s helped by sticking to the agenda but it’s also about being able to read the body language of people in the room to check that you are getting through the material quickly and comprehensively • With the ongoing focus on delivering business value, being able to write a business case is a good skill to have. Get hold of some templates so that when you are asked to finalise a business case or review one you know what should be included.
- 10. A SENSE OF HUMOUR • Getting through your projects largely relies on a good sense of humour and the goodwill of colleagues prepared to pick up the slack or wait another 24 hours. An ability to see the funny side of project management will keep you on an even keel during the next 12 months.
- 11. THANK YOU