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As defined in the 2000 edition of A Guide to the Project Management
Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), project management is the
application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to a broad
range of activities in order to meet the requirements of a particular
project. Project management is comprised of five processes ?
Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing ? as well as
nine knowledge areas. These nine areas center on management expertise
in Project Integration, Project Scope, Project Time, Project Cost,
Project Quality, Project Human Resources, Project Communications,
Project Risk Management and Project Procurement.{3}
To that end, a hiring manager is going to seek a person with the
character attributes, personality traits and educational background
necessary to fill the role of project manager in the respective
organization.
Timothy R. Barry of Project Smart, a web-resource dedicated to project
management, cites research from ESI international, world leaders in
project management training, on the Top 10 Qualities of a Project
Manager{1}:
Over the past few years, the people at ESI International, world
leaders in Project Management Training, have looked into what makes an
effective project leader. With the unique opportunity to ask some of
the most talented project leaders in the world on their Project
Leadership courses ESI have managed to collect a running tally on
their responses. Below are the top 10 in rank order according to
frequency listed (excerpts from the full description of each point):
Inspires a Shared Vision
"...They offer people opportunities to create their own vision, to
explore what the vision will mean to their jobs and lives, and to
envision their future as part of the vision for the organisation."
Good communicator
"...Through effective communication, project leaders support
individual and team achievements by creating explicit guidelines for
accomplishing results and for the career advancement of team members."
Integrity
"...Leadership based on integrity represents nothing less than a set
of values others share, behaviour consistent with values and
dedication to honesty with self and team members. In other words the
leader "walks the talk" and in the process earns trust."
Enthusiasm
"...Leadership emerges as someone expresses such confident commitment
to a project that others want to share his or her optimistic
expectations. Enthusiasm is contagious and effective leaders know it."
Empathy
"...As one student so eloquently put it, "It's nice when a project
leader acknowledges that we all have a life outside of work."
Competence
"...The ability to challenge, inspire, enable, model and encourage
must be demonstrated if leaders are to be seen as capable and
competent."
Ability to Delegate Tasks
"...Trust is an essential element in the relationship of a project
leader and his or her team. You demonstrate your trust in others
through your actions - how much you check and control their work, how
much you delegate and how much you allow people to participate."
Cool Under Pressure
"...When leaders encounter a stressful event, they consider it
interesting, they feel they can influence the outcome and they see it
as an opportunity."
Team-Building Skills
"...The leader must also have an understanding of the different team
players styles and how to capitalise on each at the proper time, for
the problem at hand."
Problem Solving Skills
"...They have a 'fresh, creative response to here-and-now
opportunities,' and not much concern with how others have performed
them."
{1} See the full article at this URL
http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/top_10_qualities_project_manager.html
No better a real world reflection of this information than to look at
actual classified ads submitted by companies seeking to hire a project
manager:
Meridian Project Systems
http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=20049319&AVSDM=2003%2D12%2D02+17%3A45%3A30&Logo=1&col=dltci&cy=US&brd=1%2C1862%2C1863&lid=&fn=&q=project+manager
"Applicant should have strong interpersonal communication,
presentation, organization, planning and project management skills and
must possess initiative with strong analytical and problem solving
skills."
WMC Direct
http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=20720890&AVSDM=2004%2D01%2D28+19%3A41%3A21&Logo=1&col=dltci&cy=US&brd=1%2C1862%2C1863&lid=&fn=&q=project+manager
"Essential to this positions is the proven ability to execute diverse
projects that involve balancing competing demands for project scope,
time, cost, risk and quality. Essential to this opportunity is
outstanding leadership, project management, analytical,
problem-solving skills, team-building and written/verbal
communications skills as well as a strong work ethic. Must have
demonstrated ability to set a strategic direction and define a
tactical plan to achieve it. Must display the ability to manage
multiple and competing priorities, and effectively communicate with
all levels of management. Must also be able to effectively drive
projects and recommend solutions."
Wireless Facilities, Inc.
http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=20736581&AVSDM=2004%2D01%2D29+14%3A40%3A02&Logo=1&col=dltci&cy=US&brd=1%2C1862%2C1863&lid=&fn=&q=project+manager
# Excellent interpersonal skills required
# Excellent presentation skills required
# Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
# Ability to create, assess and train in the development of project
budgets,schedules and staffing plans
# Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
# Flexibility to work under aggressive project time schedules
# Ability to perform independently in a fast paced, ever changing environment
# Ability to work within a matrix organization
# Ability to build, motivate and lead diverse project teams
=============================================================================
In the area of academic background, the specific qualifications of a
project manager are going to vary in relation to the industry and/or
department for which s/he is hired. I.e., on a general level, a
hiring manager is going to look for the appropriate education and
experience for the industry the company is in. Paralleling this again
are the real world classified ads of companies seeking to hire project
managers for different industries/departments. Examples include:
Telecommunications
==================
Wireless Facilities, Inc.
http://jobsearch.monster.com/getjob.asp?JobID=20736581&AVSDM=2004%2D01%2D29+14%3A40%3A02&Logo=1&col=dltci&cy=US&brd=1%2C1862%2C1863&lid=&fn=&q=project+manager
# Bachelor?s Degree or Associate?s Degree with equivalent experience
and at least 3 years experience in wireless telecommunications
industry.
# Minimum of two years project management experience leading concurrent projects.
# Formal training in Project Management Methodology and Tools preferred.
Construction, Mining and Trades
===============================
*8+ Years Experience Managing $10M+ Fast-Track Retail and Healthcare Projects
*Design Build Experience
*Construction Related Degree
**Developer Experience is Preferred
Healthcare
==========
# Minimum of a BS or BA degree in computer science or related field,
or equivalent experience.
# 2 - 3 years of medium to large project management experience.
# Familiarity with Waterfall and RAD application development methodologies.
# Strong functional knowledge of Enrollment business processes and applications.
==============================================================================
As can be seen above, project manager certification is something a
hiring manager may look for when hiring a project manager. According
to a Federal Computer Week (www.fcw.com) article on the topic{2}:
"A certified project manager changes the dynamics within an
organization, creating a vacuum effect ... The certification can
create a gap in knowledge among the other employees. Those who are
not certified will have a hard time communicating with those who are,
generating a need for increased training across the board ... It
raises the bar for other managers who see the benefits of
certification," he said. "This doesn't mean the entire organization
has to be certified, but they do need to agree on some baseline of
training so they know the concepts and the language (Roger Beatty,
senior league consultant for Information Management Consultants
Inc.)."
{2} http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2003/1103/spec-pmcomp-11-03-03.asp
According to the Project Management Institute (www.pmi.org), "PMP
certification is the profession?s most globally recognized and
respected certification credential. The PMP designation following your
name tells current and potential employers that you have a solid
foundation of project management knowledge that can be readily applied
in the workplace."
Please see these three links for additional information on the
qualities and roles of a project manager:
Hiring a project manager: When technical skills play second fiddle
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6315-1028217.html
The Role of a Project Manager
http://www.tenstep.com/1.0.2DefineWork.htm
Wanna Be a Project Manager
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/01/18/index3a.html?tw=jobs
Search Strategy
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"of a project manager"
"qualities of a project manager"
"hiring a project manager"
(3) http://www.pmi.org/info/PP_AboutProfessionOverview.asp?nav=0501 |
