A project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of a project, from initiation to close, ensuring that the work is done efficiently and satisfactorily. They are accountable for every aspect of the project, including the project scope, team and resources, budget, and success or failure of the project. Some of the core responsibilities of a project manager include:
- Identifying project goals, needs, and scope
- Planning, monitoring, and documenting tasks
- Coordinating resources and managing budgets
- Measuring and tracking project progress
- Communicating with team members and stakeholders
- Assessing risks and resolving issues that arise throughout the projects life cycle
The project manager is responsible for managing the six aspects of a project, which are scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality, and resources. They plan what work needs to be done, when and who will do it, look at the risks involved in a particular project and manage these risks, make sure the work is done to the right standard, motivate the team of people involved in the project, make sure the project is running on time and to budget, deal with changes to the project as and when necessary, and make sure the project delivers the expected outcomes and benefits.
To be a successful project manager, one needs a range of skills, including leadership, communication, decision-making, risk management, budgeting, and motivation. The project manager is also responsible for designing and applying appropriate project management standards, managing the production of the required deliverables, identifying and obtaining support and advice required for the management, planning, and control of the project, managing project administration, conducting a project evaluation review to assess how well the project was managed, and preparing any follow-on action recommendations.
