What are a project manager’s responsibilities, after all? This is a must-know!
Maybe you’re thinking about going into project management but are still doing some research to figure out if it’s a good move. Or, maybe you’ve been thrown onto a project as project manager without completely understanding what this entails. Whatever the case may be, it’s important that you clearly understand the roles and responsibilities of a project manager so that you can lead your project to success.
Having been in the business for 20+ years, I decided to make a list of important project manager responsibilities; this information comes straight from my years of experience and expertise. The knowledge I’m about to share with you is tried and true.
So, if you need to find out what a project manager’s responsibilities are, keep on reading.
1 – Motivate the team
Your success is dependent on the team’s success. So, the best thing you can do as project manager, is to motivate your team. Don’t be afraid to have fun. Something I like to do when I’m managing a project is to add fun mascots and themes to keep people engaged and motivated. You would be surprised how much people get into it once you make it fun! So, put an unexpected, enjoyable spin on the project; just don’t forget to keep being clear about goals and expectations throughout the process.
2 – Keep the team on track
As project manager, it’s your responsibility to remove any roadblocks in the way and to give your team the tools they need to be successful. Remember that often, people’s lives don’t revolve around the project; they also have tasks and pressure from their day job, and others who are relying on them to get things done outside the project. So, be attentive and understanding, but make sure you keep them on track with what they need to get done for the project.
3 – Managing executives and their expectations
Maybe this wasn’t a responsibility you expected but it’s true – executives must be brought into the process. You need to address them and understand where they’re at. Make sure they’re clear on everything that’s going on, because you need their support in order to make the project happen effectively. I like to say, manage UP as much as you manage DOWN.
Are those a project manager’s only responsibility?
Absolutely not! There are more key responsibilities that you need to know as a project manager. I’ve just created a video that shares additional project manager responsibilities as well as examples and explanations for all of them. I highly suggest preparing yourself with this information if you’re thinking about going into project management or if you’re starting a project. If you’d like to watch the video to find out more project manager responsibilities, along with how to effectively put them into practice, head over to YouTube and we’ll keep talking about it!
Meanwhile, if you really are committed to mastering your next project, do consider taking my SLAY Project Management online course where I show you step-by-step how to successfully manage a project, plus you get access to every template you will need, along with detailed video instructions on how to fill them out.
–Adriana
