Guide on Achieving a Project Manager Role: Project Management Fundamentals Explained
Getting your foot in the door as a project manager in the UK, even without a degree, is more than attainable. Here's a no-frills guide to help you smash those IBM-sized barriers and seize the project world by its horns!
Who is a Project Manager?
In essence, a project manager wrangles a crew of daily tasks, deadlines, and resources, bringing order to the chaos of multidimensional jobs. They strategize, organize, and oversee projects from start to finish like the boss they are, coordinating teams, tracking progress, and ensuring objectives are met.
Are you this special breed of cat? Well then you're in the right place, mate!
The Dope Route Without Qualifications
Step 1: Absorb theidity of Project Management
Are you quaking at the thought of gaps in your project management knowledge? Fear not! You likely already possess heaps of those skills in your current role, be it marketer, designer, coder, or the like. To brush up on the essentials, have a squiz at the Project Management Institute’s thick-as-a-brick guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)[1].
Step 2: Level up your Game
Now it's time to seek out opportunities to gain practical experience. On fire with a passion for project management and prefer it to other grinds? Here's a guide to sliding into project management without breaking a sweat:
- Seize every opportunity to volunteer for additional responsibilities and hone your skills - hanging with the finest and grittiest of areas, like planning and managing tasks.
- When your base fog of knowledge begins to thin, start filling in the gaps by taking online courses, chomping through books, or devouring podcasts – just learning from yer mistakes and other wise project managers will aid you too!
- Session a mentor if possible – they'll show you the ropes and send you on the right path.
- If you're looking to kick things up a notch with a project management diploma, give it a shot[2]. Keep tabs on the top project management conferences in 2023[3] for networking opportunities and eventful learning.
Step 3: Sleep with Project Management Software
Who'da thought there was project management software that could scratch your back on your journey to becoming a project manager? I mean, with tools like these, you can automate tasks, assign them to teams swiftly, and enjoy the wild glory of the Gantt chart view for project tracking. Just choose a project management software that tickles your fancy[4]:
- Kissflow project
- Trello
- Asana
- Zoho projects
- Wrike
- Monday.com
- ProofHub
- Clarizen
- Airtable
- Kanban Tool
- Zenkit
- MeisterTask
The Learning Field: Courses for the Unqualified
While putting in the hard yards to acquire work experience, consider taking advantage of high-quality courses. So, if you've had enough of that first degree (or maybe you just didn't fancy engineering), and are looking for a sensational and stimulating career change, a Master of Science in Project Management may be the ace up your sleeve[5].
Don't hesitate to finger your course of interest down to the bone – dig for every detail, from its structure and modules to fee and duration[6]. But be wise: employers will more than likely provide on-the-job training to new hires, so not all advanced degrees are essential[7].
Tech reveals all: What is a Project Manager after all?
A project manager sets the daily flow of activities, deadlines, and resources in motion. They bring order and structure to the complexities of lofty jobs, acting as the sine qua non of success in translating ideas into tangible achievements[1].
With your hunger pangs for the position of a project manager now sated, we'll give you a quick rundown of all the essential skills to unlock the treasure chest and win this glorious showdown like a true champ!
Dope-ass Skills for Project Management
If educational qualifications take a backseat, project managers need specific skills to excel In their role:
- Leadership: Confidently lead, motivate, and resolve conflicts when necessary – no place for a wannabe in this field!
- Unmatched communication: Collaboration and minimal disruptions depend on fantastic chops in the art of communication[1].
- Organisation: Staying on-schedule as a large team and tight deadlines are thorny obstacles, but project managers conquer this as they possess an eagle-eye for getting organized[1].
- Attention to detail: Meticulousness is essential to steer clear of potential problems that might f*ck with the quality of project execution[1].
- Numeracy: Word problems are easy – multiply resources, timeframes, and budgets (-_-%), and monitor project progress like a seasoned accountant[1].
- Mastery of Relevant Software: Awareness of various project management software tools helps track tasks, delegation, and virtually ever-growing list of responsibilities – basically allowing you to focus on the bigger picture[1].
Take Off, Pilot, and Land!
A project management career in the UK is a match made in heaven – an endless adrenaline-fuelled rollercoaster ride of challenges and relentless opportunity! Tally ho!
Footnotes
[1] Henderson, L., (2022), Project Management Knowledge Areas. Nifty PM [online] Retrieved from: https://niftypm.com/blog/project-management-knowledge-areas-pmbok/ [accessed 20/06/2023][2] Hobsons (2023), How to Find Project Management Diplomas, Degrees, and Courses, [online] Retrieved from: https://www.hobsons.com/student/lifepaths/career-choice/what-can-i-study/project-management [accessed 20/06/2023][3] Turner, N., (2023), 12 Top Project Management Conferences You Need To Be At In 2023. The Digital Project Manager. [online] Retrieved from: https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/personal/personal-growth/project-management-conferences/ [accessed 20/06/2023][4] Kissflow (2023), Best Project Management Tools. [online] Retrieved from: https://kissflow.com/project/best-project-management-tools/ [accessed 20/06/2023][5] Study.com, (2022), MSc Project Management Degree Information. Study.com Education Advising [online] Retrieved from: https://study.com/articles/MSc_Project_Management_Degree_Information.html [accessed 20/06/2023][6] Coursera, (2023), Master in Project Management (MSc). Coursera [online] Retrieved from: https://www.coursera.org/degrees/project-management [accessed 20/06/2023][7] Demaree, J.J., (2021), Do Project Managers Really Need a Degree?. Project Smart [online] Retrieved from: https://www.projectsmart.co.uk/project-management-degree-needed/ [accessed 20/06/2023]
- To further compliment your practical skills in areas like marketing, design, coding, and more, engage in professional development opportunities focused on project management, such as online courses, books, podcasts, or mentorship.
- Career development doesn't necessarily require a degree in project management. Pursue a Master of Science in Project Management as an additional advantage, but be mindful that employers often provide on-the-job training for new hires.
- Personal growth and education-and-self-development play a significant role in project management. Stay knowledgeable about the latest project management software tools, like Trello, Asana, or Zoho projects, to enhance your ability to manage tasks efficiently and focus on the bigger picture.
