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What Makes A Good Project Manager?
By Dan Morrill
Expert Author
Article Date: 2008-03-12
What is a good project manager? The definition of a good project manager from a bad project manager is subjective, but there are some highly effective traits of good project managers that can be captured. It is not about filling in financial statements, it is about having a passion for what you are doing, and productivity, supporting a team in what can be very harsh corporate environments.
Deborah Bigelow, PMP in the expert series points out two definitions for good project management.
• Love of their work and embracing the challenges
• Clear vision and communicating this vision
• Strong team building skillsand setting positive tones
• Structure and alignmentcreating the environment and direction
• Strong interpersonal skillslistening to and leading their teams
• Disciplinecompleting each phase of the project properly
• Communication skillsknowing when and to whom to communicate
Frank Toney also has a list of traits that make a good project manager.
• are recognized by stakeholders as the single most important factor in project
• goal achievement
• are truthful in all dealings and relationships
• exhibit eagerness to organize and lead groups
• exhibit evidence of a strong desire for goal achievement
• are even-tempered
• have faith that the future will have a positive outcome
• have confidence their personal performance will result in a positive outcome
The good part is that these are easily identified traits, being a go getter, goal oriented, and in some cases task oriented are all valuable. The problem is that there are many definitions of a good project manager, and these definitions can cause problems.
Some project managers are wrapped around the idea of accountancy, with plans, project guides, financial statements, and other more managerial work. They live and die by the spread sheet. When you are in a highly non-focused environment, one where imagination, problem solving, and innovation are the lifeblood of a project, being transactional in project management is a disaster.
Conversely in a transactional process that follows a lock step ABC process or project being innovative and transformational can be a disaster in terms of completing the project.
Realistically, any project manager needs to figure out the work environment first, and know what kind of work environment they are dealing with. Project managers who can communicate along all levels of the developer to consumer process are also vital. You also have to love what you are doing. Most people who enjoy their jobs do an amazing amount of work, communication, and sharing that goes beyond the typical 40 hour work week. Project managers must be part of the team, that includes Friday afternoon go out and socialize, even if the PM has to start the tradition.
It is easy to be mediocre, it is harder to be a good PM, the benefits personally, socially and in the corporate world are tangible if you are a good PM. Bad PM's have a tendency to be ignored, which can put the project in crisis because effective communications are not happening. Looking at the list from Toney and Bigelow should help you be a better project manager.
To read the whole article go here.
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About the Author:
Dan Morrill has been in the information security field for 18 years, both
civilian and military, and is currently working on his Doctor of Management.
Dan shares his insights on the important security issues of today through
his blog, Managing
Intellectual Property & IT Security, and is an active participant in the
ITtoolbox blogging community.
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