Project Management : Guide to Become a Project Manager

Project management jobs are currently trending around the world. According to Reed, the biggest online employment agency, the average salary of a project manager is £60,123.

 

Project management spans numerous fields, where project managers guide, execute, and supervise various projects. This role involves ensuring a project is completed on time and following the outlined plan. Project management is a field that encompasses several job titles, including positions, functions, and titles from the project coordinator to the senior project manager. This article explains the process of becoming a project manager and the nature of the work, the skills of a project manager and project management certification, etc. So, let’s begin the process!

Table of Contents

Project Management Definition

Project management can be described as coordinating the activities of people, acquiring and allocating resources in undertaking tasks that were planned from the commencement of the project to its completion. The main problem of project management is to meet all the goals and objectives set for a project and fulfill the presupposed constraints. These conditions usually pertain to scope, time and the cost. The second, and arguably more complex task is to arrange and coordinate inputs required in an organisation and to use them in the specified manner.

Project can, therefore, be defined as a temporary, time-bound and specially initiated a activity which is usually funded to produce specific and measurable products that work towards creating modifications or positive change. Project management therefore can be defined as the systematic use of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to manage activities in a project so as to meet the project specifications.

Project Management Job Description

Business project managers or business change managers plan, implement, and evaluate processes for the successful completion of tasks that require project-based work from preparation to the application of new project management methodologies and phases. It may run a sole proprietorship business, or be a part of a large business corporation. Despite their title suggesting a focus mainly on implementation and management, these professionals are also heavily involved in project planning and design phases. By communicating with clients or senior managers, project managers establish the project’s precise objectives and devise a corresponding plan.

Project managers frequently utilise specialised Project Management tools to aid in planning and evaluating the costs and risks associated with project tasks. They are also assigned the role of choosing and supervising the project’s team and finalizing agreements with contractors, suppliers, and other individuals that may contribute to the project. Project managers manage the schedule, resources, budget and deliverables of the project to meet the organizations’ standards as well as the customer expectations. Throughout the project, they supervise the work, track progress, pinpoint areas for enhancement, and consistently report back to their client or senior

management. Depending on the nature of the work, a project manager’s role may mostly involve office-based activities or external operations.

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Skills of a Project Manager

Project managers need special skills to do well. They must have education & personal abilities. Some skills are soft, tied to who they are. Others are more technical. Here’s what a project manager needs:

Leadership: They’re in charge of teams. Good leaders guide & inspire. They fix problems, make choices, & give out jobs. (Alpha Academy has a Leadership Management Professional Diploma for those who wanna be great leaders.)

Communication: It’s super important. They talk to team members, clients, & outside helpers. Clear talking stops mix-ups. Check out Alpha Academy’s Effective Communication Skills Training to get better at this.

Being Organised: Deadlines are tight. Teams can be big. They break projects into bits with due dates. Planning & doing these parts well is key. There’s an Organisational Skills Training for Administrator course at Alpha Academy to help with this.

Spotting Details: The project manager is responsible for success. They watch everything closely. They find & fix problems early.

Math Skills: Projects need resource management, timelines, & budgets. Good math skills help them keep track of numbers.

Knowing Software: Using project tools is important. These help give out tasks, look at risks & costs, talk to people, & see progress. It makes projects run smoother.

Skills of a Project Manager​

How to Become a Project Manager

Project management careers can be pursued through many paths. Some project managers begin different fields & then transition into project management roles. They leverage their unique and experiences. Meanwhile, others know early on that they want to be project managers and seek relevant university degrees or apprenticeships. Here’s how to get into project management through education:

Educational Pathways: A relevant university degree can open doors to a project management career. While some schools offer specific BSc degrees in project management, many students choose business management or construction project management degrees. Additionally, fields like business studies, economics, or political science often include project management courses. It’s smart to pick a degree that relates to project management; however, related degrees can also help. University entry requirements vary but usually involve two to three A-levels. So, it’s crucial to check the specific requirements of each university and course you’re interested in. Just having a degree may not guarantee a project manager position right away; many start as project officers, coordinators, or assistants before moving up. Also consider looking into graduate training schemes.

Graduate Training Schemes: If you have a university degree but need more experience for a project manager role, many companies have graduate programs available. These are often with larger firms that focus on project management or related fields. Companies look for talented graduates & provide training through workshops, hands-on experiences, and mentorships. Such programs may last several years and help boost your qualifications as well as your technical & people skills. To qualify for these schemes, candidates usually need to have completed (or nearly completed) a relevant degree with at least upper second-class honors. It’s essential to do research since requirements differ among organizations. Participants are typically hired as junior project managers and receive a salary while they train.

Acquiring Work Experience: Gaining work experience is vital for landing a project manager job because it requires both experience & leadership skills. The best way to get this experience is by being directly involved in project management—whether through a graduate program or another opportunity. You can also gain experience in related positions like administration or project support roles. In fields where projects demand in-depth knowledge—like engineering—people may rise to the role of project manager by combining their experience with seniority and the necessary skills outlined here.

Online Courses: Many aspiring project managers find online courses really helpful! These courses are flexible & accessible and teach important knowledge and skills needed in the field. Topics include various methods like Agile Project Management and Scrum, plus they emphasize improving technical & soft skills like leadership & communication. These courses also prepare individuals for key certifications such as PMP and PRINCE2 by offering study materials and practice exams. Learning at your own pace helps you balance work while developing professionally! Additionally, these online courses create opportunities for networking through forums & projects while being more budget-friendly than traditional education options. They might also provide training on relevant software tools needed for your future job roles! Overall, online courses offer a solid foundation for anyone aiming for success in the field of project management.

Alpha Academy has two courses for those preparing for the Project Management Prince2 certification exam. Have a look:

PRINCE2® Foundation (7th Edition) with Official Exam

PRINCE2® Practitioner (7th Edition) with Official Exam

Project Management Apprenticeship Program

If you decide to skip the usual degree route, you might consider a project management apprenticeship. This option is practical and can last from two to five years. In the end, you could take on roles like a qualified project manager, project coordinator, project support officer, or even a project executive.

Many of these apprenticeships target specific areas of project management, such as sustainability. This focus helps find your niche. Plus, there’s the advantage of earning money while learning, which means you can gain work & have an income at the same time. Quite a few project management institutes in the UK offer these programs.

Generally, a project management apprenticeship is set at Level 4. That’s about the same as a foundation degree. But if you’re eager to learn more while working, Level 6 degree apprenticeships are also an option. As for entry requirements, most people need four or five GCSEs at grades 4 (C) or higher.

Qualifications for Project Managers

To enhance their career prospects, aspiring project managers can look beyond just a university degree and training or work experience. They have the option to additional certifications. The Association of Project Managers (APM) provides several pathways:

Project Fundamentals Qualification (PFQ): is an entry-level course. It introduces participants to the core basics of project management, covering essential terminology. This course is perfect for individuals without prior experience or knowledge in project management.

Next is the Project Management Qualification (PMQ): This certification targets those who already have a basic understanding of project management. The PMQ is more advanced and evaluates a learner’s grasp of various project management aspects. Typically, learners should complete the PFQ and have some practical experience in project management before qualifying for the PMQ.

Lastly, we have the Project Professional Qualification (PPQ): This certification is meant for current project management professionals. The PPQ aids in obtaining APM membership and emphasizes both specific & core competencies that are crucial for experts in project management.

Career Prospects as a Project Manager

The job outlook for project managers in the UK is strong & very promising Project management plays a vital role in many industries. As focus on efficiency and strategic planning, the need for skilled project managers keeps climbing. Let’s look at what’s happening in this career.

Various Industry Options

Project managers can explore roles in lots of sectors. These Include construction, IT, healthcare, finance, engineering, & even government. Each field brings its own set of challenges &. This variety allows managers to focus on areas related to their interests.

Good Salaries

In the UK, project manager salaries are quite competitive. Of course, they vary based on experience, qualifications, industry, & location. Recent surveys show that entry-level project managers can earn about £35,000. However, experienced professionals in high-demand fields might make over £70,000. Senior project managers or those with special skills in IT & construction often earn even higher pay.

Getting Certified to Move Up

Gaining well-recognized certifications in project management really boosts career opportunities. Certifications from the Association for Project Management (APM), Project Management Institute (PMI), or PRINCE2 are excellent choices. They show commitment and a deep understanding of project management principles; thus making candidates more appealing to employers.

Growing Need for Skills

The UK job market has a strong demand for project management skills. Handling budgets, deadlines, resources, & teams efficiently is essential. Plus, as digital transformation projects grow, there’s an increased need for project managers who know about digital & agile methods.

Opportunities to Advance Careers

There’s a clear path for career growth in project management. It starts with roles like project coordinator or support officer and can lead to senior positions like program manager or senior project manager. Also, there’s potential to reach strategic roles such as portfolio manager or even Chief Operations Officer (COO), especially with a solid record of delivering successful projects.

Networking and Growth

In the UK, the project management community is vibrant & supportive. Many conferences, workshops, and professional groups exist. These networks offer great chances for learning & career advancement in the field of project management.

 

Conclusion

The project manager jobs are demanding and demand a combination of hard and soft skills as well as expertise in specific fields. The role can be challenging, as it often comes with critical deadlines that require a good handling of multiple and diverse stakeholders. However, they also provide great job satisfaction through project delivery, teams management and leadership, and one can largely contribute to an organization performance.

All in all, project management is an exciting and challenging profession in Great Britain with numerous possibilities for career advancement and differentiation as well as a wide rage of industries. Indeed, the notion of being a project manager implies a rewarding and financially well-off career if strengthened by education, experience, and certification.

August 8, 2024

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