An introduction to project management

Thinking about a career in Project Management?

This article is designed to provide you with the essential information you’ll need to get started on a career as a Project Manager. From the basics to the skills you'll need, we’ll help you decide if Project Management is the right choice for you.

Let’s get started.

What is Project Management?

Project Management is about using specific skills, methods, and experience to meet project goals within set boundaries.

As you’ll soon learn on a CMI Project Management course, it's all about delivering results on time and within budget. Most projects follow a plan or documentation, and each project has constraints, like scope, quality, and budget.

A project manager's primary job is to balance these constraints and make sure the project stays on track. The secondary challenge is optimising the allocation of necessary inputs and applying them to meet objectives.

The main objective of a project is to deliver specific outcomes for the project sponsor or client, adjusting their brief to be able to meet key objectives. Once the client's objectives are clearly established, the Project Manager will oversee decisions made by those involved in the project.

In short, Project Management is crucial for organisations that need to handle significant changes or deadlines. It's also a rewarding career choice for those who enjoy pursuing clear-cut, tangible results.

What does a Project Manager do?

A project manager plays a vital part in leading a project through to successful completion.

They’re key to the success of a project and must be able to manage both the smaller, day-to-day tasks, as well as delivering the ‘bigger picture’ outcomes.

The role requires technical application, people management skills, time management, and good business awareness.

Part of any successful project delivery includes regular, defined objectives and review periods, to ensure everything stays on track.

The role can vary depending on industry, project and client, but generally, Project Managers are responsible for:

• Scoping the project and its impact on the immediate business and wider market.
• Developing a business case to justify the project budget and resources.
• Planning for SMART project objectives and clear delivery outcomes
• Execution of work and regular review periods.
• Managing the time and people involved in the project.Handling client expectations and relationships.
• Identifying and managing potential risks and issues Overseeing quality and resource management
• Monitoring progress against the project plan
• Communicating and reporting on project progress
• Managing finances and budget
• Realisation of the project benefits upon completion

Why should I become a Project Manager?

Being a project manager is challenging but rewarding - you need to lead and solve problems to ensure success.

It's not without risks, as you're responsible for the project's success, but the rewards, recognition, and sense of accomplishment make it worthwhile.

If you’re an organised person who likes to drive change, relishes a challenge, and can relay your passion to a team, then Project Management could be for you.

The rewards are immense; a successful project delivery means recognition, industry acclaim, and the satisfaction of a challenge accomplished.

Why not give it a try?

Transferrable skills

Since every project has its unique challenges, you’ll quickly pick up a variety of transferrable skills which can be applied to other areas of your life and career.

These include leadership, planning, communication, delegation, and timekeeping.

You'll learn these skills in a Project Management course, and they're valuable for any career.

Salary

Salaries for Project Managers can cary from project to project across different industries. In the UK, an experienced Project Manager typically earns an average salary of around £42,000 per year.

Project Management Methodologies

 There are several ways to manage projects, depending on the project's needs and your approach. Here are a couple of popular methodologies:

1. Agile Project Management

This methodology focuses on adapting to project changes and emphasises trust, flexibility, encouragement, and collaboration.

Projects can sometimes take unexpected turns; that’s when this methodology can come in handy, allowing teams to adapt quickly to new directions or challenges.

2. Waterfall Project Management

The Waterfall methodology follows a linear approach, with tasks being prioritised and completed in a sequence.

It breaks projects into four stages: requirements, planning and design, implementation and completion.

This method is structured to keep teams on task, with every step clearly identified.PRINCE2 has been a popular Project Management method in the UK since its release in 1996. It divides projects into manageable stages, with seven key principles that guide the process.

The seven PRINCE2 principles cannot be tailored or changed; so, if a project doesn’t adhere to the principles, it’s not following this methodology.

How do I become a Project Manager?

Being a Project Manager is very rewarding, but it’s a well-known fact that studying full time is tricky when you have a busy schedule.

At MOL Learn, our CMI Level 5 Project Management course will equip you with everything you need to become AMP qualified.

Our course offers live and interactive webinars, a virtual learning environment with carefully curated content, tutor support, and more. It's designed to fit around your schedule, with five core modules to give you the skills you need to become qualified:

• Introduction to project management
• Leading a project
• Initiating a project
• Project planning
• Project implementation

As a social enterprise, we offer interest-free payment plans and don't charge VAT, making it easier for you to focus on the course. So, don’t hesitate! Kick-start your career as a Project Manager, explore what’s on offer, and get enrolled with MOL Learn today!