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The companies that do business in the development deal not only with the developers and designers. They do need dozens of various professionals from other spheres of activities. Project Managers are among them. In this article, we wish to outline the basic signs showing that you should become a PM. Also, we reveal the flip side of the project management process and possible reasons for you not to become a PM.
The signs you are a perfect fit for a Project Manager career
1. Ability to manage people
As far as this skill is the part of this profession name, it can be called the first and the most substantial skill of a person for project management. You should not only cut the tasks to the specific person in your team but also calculate the possible outcome and improvements from the work of such a person.
On a project start, it is necessary to outline some time to get to know how the entire team works. The calculation of possible risks involves the risks connected to people’s productivity as well. Such risks management does not guarantee that no problems appear in the course of development. Though, a PM should be ready to apply their problem-solving skills at any stage of the project.
Any management includes the motivation of the team to complete their tasks with the highest quality available. A PM is a person who has to work with the team on the emphatic level and feel the climate within it.
2. Strategic mindset
A good Project Manager should be able to see the entire picture of the project at once. They set strict goals, deadlines, priorities, and take the necessary actions to reach them with the best possible results.
This skill specifies the ability not to dive into insignificant details and ideas at once. Even if a team brings a fresh vision of some functions that should be added to the product, the PM should bear in mind the entire work scope and milestones. Even if the idea is far-reaching, it can be not needed for business goals satisfaction. As a result, its implementation will shift deadlines and cause additional non-calculated expences.
3. Interpersonal communication
In the course of professional activities, each PM should communicate with different types of people. They all have their communicational preferences, active channels, as well as the specific climate in each particular situation. The manager should be available literally 24\7 and stay in the world of a client in the means of culture or tradition.
A PM should be that person who deals with all communication with the client on behalf of the team. That sets some additional responsibilities on this person if they misinterpret someone’s words or lack knowledge in a specific sphere. This fact defines the ability to interview the experts and accumulate the received knowledge for further use.
4. Flexible responsiveness
Though, having the ability to grasp the overall scope, a PM should be able to react at any changes and unexpected situations rapidly. It is impossible to calculate all the risks that can happen, and some discrepancies will appear anyway. The task of a PM is to introduce rectifications that keep the initial plan flow.
5. Ability to keep documents and follow processes
Consistent planning should be documented to be followed in the right way. A PM deals with specific automatization tools that are called to simplify their activities. But not all functions can be transferred to programs. Anyway, there is some paperwork (even if it is electronic), following the business processes of the company or PM department. Such work is needed to make the life of a PM a bit easier and track the project’s flow.
6. Arrogance to set challenging goals
Setting goals is not enough when not to reach these goals. Though, not every person can define high-flying goals as they are afraid to think outside the box. A nice goal can be the development a product that would not only satisfy the primary goal of a business but also excels it.
As a PM has bigger experience in the creation of various products, than the business owner, they can make suggestions on what functions should be introduced first. Such confidence in personal rectitude and valuing personal ideas should not affect the initial deadline and budget.
The signs you will not succeed as a Project Manager
Basically, the signs that a person will not succeed in a PM position derivate from the positive features. They include:
- Inability to plan and schedule tasks performing;
- Miscalculation of risks and introduction of reactive rectifications only;
- Unwillingness to manage people;
- Absence of empathy;
- Paying attention to details without seeing the entire picture;
- Jumpy tasks performing;
- Difficulties in communication;
- Fear to reply for the team;
- Inability to stay flexible and think on feet under any conditions;
- Unwillingness to manage documentation and follow procedures;
- Lack of confidence.
If at least 6 points from the list above describe your personality, better leave the idea of becoming a PM. Check yourself with our checklist for developers, maybe it is your calling you still do not know about.
Project management can become an exciting journey only when you are ready for it. Each candidate should struggle every day with numerous hindrances on a way to a successful project launch. They should have enough empathy to feel and carry the team, confidence to build the flow of works and follow it, curiosity to reach new horizons.
But in the end, nothing can excel the feeling of satisfaction due to the teamwork and gratitude of the amused customer.
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