In a complex era fraught with many business challenges, project managers who display strong leadership and other interpersonal skills can truly shine. In this current environment, there are few new projects, and those that do get underway, receive considerable managerial attention and tighter control.
Organizations prefer to be certain that their resources are managed efficiently and purposefully and that projects are carried out according to plan in terms of the timetables, quality and the deliverables promised to the various interested parties. They also want to be certain that the organization is not exposed to unnecessary high risks.
This is the project manager’s finest hour. Now is the time when he or she, must display leadership, open and clear communications, high level of trust, accountability and commitment, transparency and proper risk management.
Much has been said, written and discussed about the intensity, scope and duration of the global economic crisis that we are currently experiencing. What all the opinions and thoughts have in common is this: the unknown outweighs the known, experts know too little, and the opinion that this is the beginning of the end might turn out to be correct, as might the opinion that the worst is yet to come…
So what must we understand and what must we do at a time with high levels of uncertainly?
Mr. Greg Balestrero, CEO of PMI, the global Project Management Institute, was interviewed for the March 2009 issue of PMI Today. The magazine’s includes half a million people involved in project management community around the world. The main issue that he was asked about is: ‘What is proper project management in these complex times?’ His reply was decisive, clear and determined: Efficient project management will advance the professional career of those engaged in the field.
Currently, at a time when money is scarce and financing projects and operations becomes more and more problematic and difficult, there is an ever-increasing need for talented and efficient project managers who will guarantee the project’s success.
Mr. Balestrero advises those working in the field to improve their project management capabilities, refine and enhance their leadership skills, sharpen their professional skills and specialize The need for specialization and unique skills for successful project management is expected to increase the demand for outstanding project managers. One example of this is the PMP credential. Mr. Balestrero’s advice to jobseekers is to include the fact that they have a PMP credential at the top of their CV and to provide a brief description of the process required for obtaining the PMP credential. This will make candidates with PMP credentials stand out over other project management candidates.
Mr. Balestrero mentions accountability and transparency as two important qualities that affect organizations’ preference for project managers. These qualities enable organizations to manage their organizational resources better and lead to economic success at a time of ongoing crisis.
At a discussion held by the PMI global organization on the unique project management issues characterizing the current situation, the following picture emerged:
- The cost of money and project financing are becoming more and more complex and difficult to obtain.
- Projects that have already begun are being performed under a far more stringent control regime.
- New projects are being postponed, rejected or cancelled.
As far as new initiatives and business developments are concerned, or any other new activity that was not performed in the past, the question that project managers should ask is: “Are you sure you know how to do it properly?” Organizations are being exposed to limited resources and want to make sure that their resources are managed efficiently and the various tasks are being performed properly.
As far as new initiatives and business developments are concerned, or any other new activity that was not performed in the past, the question that project managers should ask is: “Are you sure you know how to do it properly?” Organizations are being exposed to limited resources and want to make sure that their resources are managed efficiently and the various tasks are being performed properly.
Since money and financing are becoming more and more costly in today’s reality, project managers’ credentials and capabilities must be both outstanding and emphasized. Project managers must get their work done on time, accurately, within the timeframes that they committed themselves to, and must focus on the deliverables that they committed themselves to.
Part II of this article will discuss the increased demand for skilled and specialized project managers and how choosing the right project manager is the number one critical factor in a project’s success.