Success is something that we all aspire to, both on the personal and professional level.
Some of you reading this article are seasoned project managers running multi-million dollar projects. Still, some of you may be starting your career as a project manager or just interested in knowing how to succeed in the field of project management.
So, to answer this question, let’s first ask:
What Does Success Mean In Project Management?
Success can mean different things to different people. Still, ask a manager in an organization or a team member involved in the project work. In that case, they will tell you: “A successful project manager is someone who can deliver a successful project which is – in the classical sense – on time and budget.”
But is that it?
Well, no one can deny projects are created to deliver specific outcomes and that the client or the delivery organization has a strong interest in having these outcomes delivered in the shortest time frame possible and at the budget that was agreed on so that they can make a financial gain either from the margin on the delivery contract or from operating the assets that the project creates.
This is all well and good, but it only paints a partial picture of what a successful project should be.
To me, I think it is a lot more than that…
How about a well-motivated, cohesive team that enjoys coming to work daily with a sense of purpose, feeling they play an essential role in something bigger?
How about a community that is well connected to and supportive of the project, feeling it would make their life better in some form or the other by providing something they needed?
How about a client who is pleased and supportive of the work and working with the delivery team to reasonably solve problems and progress work?
For someone who has been in the field long enough, you might say these are all good thoughts, but projects, by default, are a natural environment for conflicts, arguments, and disputes. But should they be?
Although some projects can feel like that, and you might not achieve all of the above on all projects, that does not mean you shouldn’t try!
So….
Who Is Responsible For Making A Project Successful?
The project manager might be the first and most straightforward answer, but that is not the complete answer.
Although project managers play a crucial role in projects’ success, they are bound by the rules, systems, and procedures of the organization they’re employed in and, most importantly, influenced by its culture.
Speaking of the latter, I find this is the most critical differentiator between successful and unsuccessful organizations, irrespective of their size, location, structure, or turnover.
We could explore this further, but taking the organization’s influence out of the equation and returning to the project managers..
What Does It Take To Become A Successful Project Manager?
From my experience over two decades, this comes down to three key factors.
1. Industry Experience
Some project management methodologies claim that project management is a discipline of its own and that it shouldn’t need specific industry experience to manage scope and risk, create a budget and schedule, or manage a team, right?
Well, this might be true in theory, but the reality is if you are a project manager who, let’s say, comes from an IT background and is tasked with managing a complex construction project, you will find it very difficult to be successful in that role.
At the very least, you won’t understand construction’s first principles and terminology, affecting your ability to confidently and effectively communicate with and lead your team.
This does not mean the role of the project manager, especially on large or complex projects, is to become the technical manager. However, having good experience and exposure to your field goes a long way.
2. Project Management Training and Education
On the other side, there are project managers with excellent industry experience who made their way up through their careers yet have not had a chance to study project management as a discipline.
If you are practicing as a doctor, then it’s expected that you would have studied medicine at some stage. Project management is no different. It is a field that comprises several concepts, methodologies, and frameworks that need to be learned.
3. Interpersonal Skills and Traits
Project managers spend a lot of their time working with and around people. In addition, the project work requires the project manager to develop specific skills and abilities to succeed.
It is hard to think of a successful project manager who does not have a strong sense of ownership of the project work, is unable to understand the bigger picture, or cannot communicate clearly with the team.
Some managers may have natural communication and negotiation skills, but for those who don’t, self-awareness and continuous development can significantly improve their abilities over time.
Continuous learning is another crucial skill, especially in light of the growing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in project management. Stay up-to-date and utilize AI to your advantage.
Conclusion
To succeed and shine as a project manager, you must have a combination of industry experience, project management education, and a suite of interpersonal skills.
It is essential to realize that these do work holistically.
You certainly don’t have to be the master of all three, but keep developing yourself by identifying and filling in the gaps in each of these areas as you progress through life and your career.
One can only try to become better every day.
