People often ask me what really is the role of a project manager anyway? I confess that when I first started as a Project Manager in New Zealand in 1995 I wasn’t actually sure what they did either!
The job description was seeking postive, organized, energetic people with strong ethics and integrity. I knew that I ticked all those boxes, and figured if that was what the job entailed it would probably be a good fit!
Turns out I was right, and that first role in project management started me on a lifetime journey that has remained interesting and rewarding (- if a little stressful at times!) It’s an amazing career opportunity, and if you’re new to the role I congratulate you on joining the project management profession.
The role of a project manager is to juggle the big picture of the project deliverables and raison d’etre with the detail of getting it all done. Repeat – getting it all done: NOT doing it all!
Have you ever fallen into that trap of ‘Oh it’ll be quicker to just do it myself’ rather than brief the appropriate person from the project plan. I know I have! But I quickly learnt that if I did that it was a sure route to getting lost in the detail and taking my eye off the important stuff.
A Project Manager is generally a facilitator rather than a doer. They take the horse to the water, check the water is OK and the horse is qualified to drink. Wise project managers would monitor the horse drinking. It is the horse that does the drinking. The project manager protects the horse whilst it is drinking.
I’ve included plenty of detail on the role of a project manager in my teleseminar series. If you haven’t signed up yet, I really encourage you to do so. It’s packed with information to help you grow your project management career, polish up your skills and get the day rate you deserve! Worth $197, you can listen to this two part teleseminar series for free for a limited period via this link:
Fast Start to Project Success
I look forward to ‘meeting’ you on the call!
Joanne
