Who is the Project Manager?

The Project Manager is, by virtue of the job title and appointment to the position, the leader of and person responsible for any given project. The Project Manager is the person who is accountable for the accomplishment of the project's stated objectives. The Project Manager will need boundless energy, will be prepared to work long hours, and will have the ability to know just the right thing to say to an overworked team as well as to a potentially demanding client.

The role of the Project Manager is to plan, execute and deliver a completed project according to strict deadlines and within budget. A large portion of the PM's role is to acquire resources and skilfully co-ordinate project team members, contractors and consultants, so as to deliver the completed project according to plan. Quality control and time management on the part of the PM are two key objectives that, effectively managed, will facilitate the success of the project.

A successful Project Manager will be endowed with a variety of skills in addition to general management skills. Depending on the project at hand, some skills will be more essential than others, but here are some of the key skills that a successful Project Manager should possess:

Analytical thinking skills

This will require the PM to be able to understand the overall project while keeping an eye on the minutiae of the project.

Organisational skills

To keep a project on schedule and within budget the PM needs to be a focused and effective organiser.

Interpersonal skills

A successful manager at any level will need to have the ability to manage people effectively. A PM will be responsible for co-ordinating staff at different levels of the project for which he or she is responsible, therefore it is essential that the PM has the necessary leadership and interpersonal skills to keep team members motivated and on schedule.

Communication skills

The PM will need to have evolved communication skills as it will be required of him or her to communicate with people at all levels within the project. The PM is the main communication link between those who have a vested interest in the project as well as the members who make up the project team. He or she must be able to clearly communicate project objectives, challenges or problems, scope changes, and regular project status reports.

Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills can be learned and perfected. Any problem that arises must be dealt with at source and as swiftly and effectively as possible, so as to minimise risk to the project at large.

Time management skills

The PM will have the ability to prioritise, delegate, and manage time effectively.

In summary, it is the Project Manager who will be accountable for achieving the project's stated objectives. An excellent Project Manager's skills are complimented by the right tools, such as Microsoft Project 2003; and project 2003 training will only enhance these skills.