Manager: People, we’re really lagging in the project. Can we turn up this weekend at the office?
Executive: Sir, in case you’re not aware, we have been working on weekends for two months now. Frankly, in the absence of guidance, we don’t know where the project is headed.
Is this a common occurrence at workplaces? Disillusioned employees wailing about lack of direction. What they need is an appropriate project management strategy to show them the way.
The Workamajig, citing research conducted by PWC, claims that 97% of organizations believe that project management is critical to business performance. It’s estimated that organizations waste 12% of their resources owing to ineffective project management. Nearly 54% of businesses working on projects fail to effectively track their KPIs in real time.
Having an accomplished project manager thus becomes the key. A project manager is like a principal violinist, who oversees every beat of an orchestra right up to the final note. A strong project manager can bring a team together and guarantee high-quality results.
Dedicated project managers are an invaluable asset, thanks to their ability to organize and have a team perform at peak efficiency.
Naturally, hiring a project manager and knowing what aspects of project management must be adhered to are critical aspects of business health. There are processes to follow before we hire a project manager or, as they say, the best-certified project managers.
Project manager roles and responsibilities – an overview
Communication is one of the primary roles fulfilled by a project manager. Strong interpersonal skills are non-negotiable in any sphere. According to Workamajig, businesses believe that team communication makes a 52% impact on project management.
Secondly, a successful project manager must bring a team together and ensure everyone commits to a common objective, thereby earning the respect and trust of the group. A knack for problem-solving and the capacity to maintain composure under pressure are the key attributes.
Skills to look for when hiring a project manager
Whether you’re hiring for a website development company or just looking for a construction project manager or web project manager, the critical skills remain the same.
A web project manager, for instance, plans tasks, creates web architecture and UX, and breaks the project deliverables into different timeframes. Other responsibilities include:
• Allocating resources
• Adhering to deadlines
• Maintaining documentation
• Managing risks
• Functioning within the budget (IT projects are often called black swans for cost overruns)
Here’s a broad rundown of the foundational requirements to look for while hiring a project manager, especially in the web development industry.
Problem-solving skills and logical thinking
A successful web project manager must be able to solve problems and apply logic to situations that may pose a challenge. Being able to make sensible judgments under pressure determines the success of a project.
Adept at presenting and creating presentations
This position entails a lot of effective concept presentations to critical stakeholders to gain their support and trust. When choosing a web project manager, it’s vital to seek someone with strong presentation abilities, both personal and technical.
Verbal and written communication skills
Communication is crucial, whether it’s outlining a strategy, stressing a point through email, or bringing a team together.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
Web project managers need to schedule meetings and do various other jobs made easier by Office suite tools like Excel or PowerPoint.
Effective use of project management tools
It may be advantageous to have experience with your company’s project management software or something comparable.
Soft skills are an added advantage
Practical soft skills are another good indicator of the candidate. We advise evaluating your potential recruits for your project management position for these soft skills:
Timely decision-making
Making wise choices when several factors are involved can be quite a task. In the world of project management, however, it is crucial. You may find out what your applicant prioritizes using a decision-making test.
Effective time management
To assess a candidate’s ability to prioritize various tasks, we suggest conducting a test that places them in hypothetically professional settings to evaluate how well they can juggle, plan, and deliver.
A final word
According to Knowledgehut, the US is expected to create 8.8 million project management jobs by 2027. This should be an incentive enough to pursue project management as a career.
For businesses that have never hired a web project manager, finding a competent and compelling candidate might be challenging. If you are considering hiring a project manager, the expert recruiters at SDI can help you filter through the proverbial crowd. To know more, reach us at +1.408.621.8481 or drop us a line at team@sdi.la.
