Project Management Characteristics, Essay Example

Considering experience in the workplace and how it relates to project management, much was learned through the engagement of working under an effective project manager. Project managers are managers in the professional field of project management. These managers carry out and oversee the tasks pertaining to the planning and performance of any business, design, or construction project. Project managers plan the details and objectives of the project that lead to the ultimate goal of completion with use of the project management triangle. The project triangle consists of quality, cost, scope, and scheduling. (Brill 2006)

Successful project managers must possess the elements of knowledge, performance, and personal character. Knowledge is attributed to past experiences in the project working environment along with education in the field. Performance demonstrates how well the project manager can apply their knowledge to the project itself. Personal character shows how well the project manager can work with their project team. (Meredith 2012)

There is no easy route that leads to the success of an effective project manager that is able to excel in all of the desires and requirements for every business. An effective project manager who happens to find success in one business or company may not be as successful in another. Much of the success for a project manager may be dependent on how the business sets itself up for engaging in specific projects. An effective project manager must know exactly how the business operates in order to make sure that they can realize their potential in the business itself. (El Sabaa 2001)

Effective project managers must carry a unique set of personal characteristics in their personality that will make them more compelled to be as effective as the project managers in a variety of other businesses. Presented here is a set of basic personal characteristics for effective project managers that can make up a contour of an effective project manager for most businesses. (Meredith 2012)

In order to be an effective project manager, I would need to present personal courage. In most projects the project manager will be required to settle disputes and other issues of decision making amongst the business stakeholders. Negotiations of such issues may commonly be subtle, specifically during fragile moments in the life cycle of a project. The correct decision for the project is usually not always the one that is agreeable with all of the stakeholders. As an effective project manager, I must show personal courage in all of their decisions made, follow them all the way through, and make sure that the team continues to work as a team for the better interest of the project. Keeping the respect from all of the stakeholders requires a skill set, which can be obtained through experience.(Fisher 2012)

An effective project manager must maintain their composure, locate the source of the problem, and take the most logical measure in either solving it or safe guarding against it for future reference. Maintaining a consistent positive attitude is correlated to remaining positive among on all project teams. This means the project manager always finds a solution to any challenge or problem the business may face. Such a perspective can make a substantial difference in the situations consisting of hardships when they arise.  Keeping this positive attitude shows a lot about the project manager’s personality and how they will respond to such adverse scenarios. (Meredith 2012)

A scenario I experienced where the project manager did not possess the right characteristics was when they become a micro-manager. Our project manager did not trust the work ethic of the team and was always looking over our shoulder which served as a distraction, compromising the team’s work ethic. We never had a chance to learn or experience the work process for ourselves because the project manager wanted to do everything their way. The outcomes lead to a failed project with the project manager blaming the team for what was really his incompetence. (Meredith 2012)

Fortunately, I was able to work under an effective project manager that considered ideas from everybody on the project team. This project manager trusted us and allowed us to focus on our work. Of course they would review our work when it was finished, and this made the team feel more comfortable. Work production was adequate and the project was successful. I retained the positive leadership characteristics from this project manager and hope to apply them into my own work ethic. (Meredith 2012)

References

Brill, J. M., Bishop, M. J., & Walker, A. E. (2006). The competencies and characteristics required of an effective project manager: A web-based Delphi study. Educational technology research and development, 54(2), 115-140.

El-Sabaa, S. (2001). The skills and career path of an effective project manager.International journal of project management, 19(1), 1-7.

Fisher, E. (2011). What practitioners consider to be the skills and behaviours of an effective people project manager. International Journal of Project Management, 29(8), 994-1002.

Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. Jr. (2012). Project Management: A Managerial Approach (8^th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.