Become a project manager
In the third of a new series about taking on new roles we look at how to become a project manager.
The Basics |
Here’s a short summary of what a project manager is and does. |
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A project manager is in charge of making sure a project runs smoothly and is finished on time. They typically manage people, time and money. Project managers are found in almost every sector, from marketing and advertising to IT and construction. They are exceptional organisers and have great communication skills. |
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Step by step |
Taking on any new role can be daunting. Here’s a step-by-step guide for getting started with project management. |
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1. Consider if you naturally fit the profile of a project manager |
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Key Skills |
Find out what abilities you need to be a project manager. |
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Organisational skills Empathy A cool head Communication skills |
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Dos and Don’ts |
Discover what to do and what not to do as an aspiring project manager. |
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✅ Research types of project management (Agile, Kanban) Don’t ❎ Forget that people can make or break a project |
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Advice from the front line |
Hear what advice current project managers have to offer. |
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Luke, Digital Project Manager at TMW Unlimited, says… “A successful project manager must have a good working relationship with their immediate project team. They must be approachable, with good communication skills and have the ‘can do’ attitude to tackle any problem head on. If you can be seen to be making a positive, constructive influence on a project, it’s easier for the team to follow suit. Any project, no matter how difficult, will have greater chance of being delivered successfully if the team remain motivated and are all pulling in the same direction.” |
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Fiona, Project Manager at FutureLearn says… “I think it’s always wise to not assume. If you assume, you make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me’! Other tips: always send an introductory email outlining where people can find key documents, what the key milestones are for a project and who’s responsible for what, even if it’s fairly top level. Also, putting stuff in writing and putting people’s names next to things quickly let’s you realise if you got something wrong! Finally, get consensus on your assumptions – silence is not always golden.” |
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Courses to help you grow your project management skills |
Get practical help to become a project manager with courses from top organisations. |
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Master the basics of project management with these courses: Business Fundamentals: Project Management by The Open University Fundamentals of Project Planning and Management by the University of Virginia Darden School of Business |
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I would like to have more information about this course.
Thanks
Hi Gessami, you can find more information about the two courses by following the links given.
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/project-management
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/fundamentals-of-project-planning-and-management
I want to be skilled in my specialist civil engineering in study and working
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These courses about Project management are very interesting. I will avail my time to follow them.
i am very much interested in learning this course; because if you get this knowledge, the skill of managing programs will easy for you.
I am really interested in this course.
I am interested in getting more knowledge about how to become a project manager because today’s world needs competitive and knowledgeable people.
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Why does it trouble and annoy me to find so far into the clips that the two highlighted links are from USA. Indeed there is nothing wrong with USA, (in this sector?) but they do things differently there and so much of what is there is for me either SDO or waffle. I imagine that would be borne out in difference between the OU and the US uni courses. This s my problem not everyone else’s, but mostly I am dealing with UK and a bit of French EU, and US “accents” or styles don’t appear to take cultural aspects into consideration. I could be wrong and prejudiced, but I need to understand why?
Hi,
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