A lot of attention has been put on the importance and impact project managers have on a company and project. We’re bombarded with articles about the latest project management training or software. As project managers ourselves, QuantumMark knows this topic can be overwhelming and can bring more questions than answers. Why is project management important? What will the impact be to my company/team? How do I know if I’m working with a good project manager? Whether you’re looking to hire an internal project manager, or an external one, we’re here to help make sure you invest in the right person, so your business sees positive results. Read below for 3 signs of an excellent project manager, so you know you’ll hit a home run:
Challenges you to think BIG
This is a concept we’ve talked about before, because it is one of the most positively impactful things a good project manager (PM) does for you and your company. A PM should not just do what you say or focus on only what you think should happen. They will push you, challenge you, and make you think about the bigger picture. Are there any other team projects or company deadlines this project affects? Will this help you reach your long-term goals? Is it actually fixing the business problem you’re trying to find a solution to? While you might not always want to hear it, a good project manager will question and challenge you. Trust us; if you work with, cooperate with, and allow them to help you think big, the results you see will be amazing.
Encourages delegation
While we all might like to think we know how to solve a business problem, there is often someone out there who has better skillsets that can do so more effectively. A good project manager knows this. Instead of potentially blocking the success of a project by getting their ego involved, a good PM will assess each employee’s skillsets and know what tasks they will be most successful at. This means they will look at everyone involved, to know who to bring in to help ensure the solution to the problem is a good one. Jay T. Ripton wrote in a blog post that PM’s should know “…what’s really happening on the ground, the team members’ needs and grievances, and any unseen issues in the present task management strategy. After receiving their feedback, the project manager can organize the tasks better.” An excellent PM will prioritize collaboration and delegate often by thinking across teams and skillsets, not in silos.
Emphasizes partnership and responsibility
At QuantumMark, we know first-hand that a partnership approach to project management is the most effective execution. And any good project manager knows the same. A partnership approach allows accountability from you and your staff, as well as the project manager. The PM will ensure that you and your staff complete the necessary work, while offering the support you need. This methodology creates buy-in and motivates people more than a dictatorship approach. This goes hand in hand with a good PM challenging you when sometimes you won’t feel able to get the necessary tasks done. When this happens, the PM will support you, but still push to ensure YOU and your team do the work. This instills ownership and helps you understand how to get (and how you got to) the solutions for reaching your goals. In our experience, while it might be frustrating at times, unless you’re willing to own the necessary responsibility, you won’t see the results you need and want. Simply put; you won’t reach your goals and your solution will lack long-term sustainability. A good PM knows this – so trust them!
While it can feel overwhelming to find a good project manager, there are more of us out there than you might think. Your job is to make sure, when you do find one, that you and your team are ready and willing to do the work. A good project manager will help you and support you to reach your goals and set you up for a home run, but it’s still up to you to be engaged and do the work.