Project Management for Managers: Tips to Get Started

As a manager, taking on project management responsibilities can be daunting, to say the least. 

Successful project management is crucial for any business; delivering results efficiently, outlining goals, prioritising tasks, and distributing resources – these tasks often end up on the desk of a manager.

In our fast-paced business world, managers are expected to be well-versed in project management strategies and methodologies. And if you, like 82% of people in management positions, have ended up in the role ‘accidentally’ (i.e., without any formal training), it can be especially overwhelming.

Our top tips for managers to deliver first-class projects are:

• Start with clear goals
• Plan your strategy
• Keep everything on track by monitoring time, resources, materials, and deadlines.
• Stay adaptable and prioritise flexibility – no project ever goes absolutely perfectly!

If you want to learn more, don’t panic! This guide has practical tips, insights, and will help you get started with project management certifications and lead your teams to success. Whether you're new to the role or just looking to refresh your skills, this guide covers essential steps, including setting project goals, creating a plan, and tracking progress.

Let’s begin!

Fundamentals of project management

Being able to execute individual projects is essential for businesses, as they’re usually part of a larger strategy to drive growth, profits, and innovation.

According to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), project management involves 5 key stages: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure. These pillars are designed to guide managers through their projects, from start to finish.

As well as this, there are several vital concepts which every successful project manager needs to be familiar with:

Scope - setting out guidelines for project boundaries and deliverables

Time - ensuring everything stays on track and all deadlines are met

Cost - making sure everything stays within the budget limitations

Resources - using people, tools, and materials efficiently

Quality - measuring performance to make sure all standards and deliverables are met.

In summary, as a project manager, it’s your job to oversee a project from start to finish, making sure goals are met on time, within budget, and to a high standard. Your responsibilities might include supervising teams, overseeing resources, managing risks, and using quick thinking to solve any snags or problems as they come up.

We get it, this might sound formidable, but don’t panic!

The CMI Level 5 Project Management certification is designed to take you from total newbie to project management master – especially if you’re someone who has found themselves in a project management role ‘accidentally’!

You’ll learn everything from planning and overseeing a project like a pro, to coordinating people and managing resources.

How to approach your first project

Whether you’re new to project management or not, getting started with your first project as a manager can be overwhelming. However, with the right attitude, you can turn it into an exciting and rewarding experience!

By staying focused on clear project goals, communication, teamwork, and – most importantly – staying flexible, you’ll be more than capable of handling any hiccups that might come your way.

Project strategy

When it comes to kicking off a project, it’s so important to have a clear strategy and goals outlined. Focus on solutions, not problems, and make teamwork a priority to keep everyone motivated, progressing, and working in collaboration.

Just keep in mind that balancing time, budget, and resources is key to achieving an exceptional project outcome.

Kicking off your first project

Getting set up for success starts with a solid plan of action. Making sure the scope, objectives, and goals of your project are outlined from the very start can be the difference between a great project, and one that runs off track or fails to deliver.

From there, it’s all about monitoring progress and making sure every individual milestone is met on time and within budget.

Like we said, don’t be afraid to adjust your approach as you go – being able to react and learn from what works (and what doesn’t) will make getting over hurdles much easier!

Project end phase

As the project starts to wrap up, take some time to reflect on the process; the wins and challenges, what worked well, and what could have been better. This will give you a major advantage as you enter your next project, allowing you to make better, experience-based decisions from the start.

And like in any field, continuous learning is one of the best ways to develop project management skills - and invest in yourself as a professional. Our Project Management CMI qualification will give you the essential tools to grow your skills and walk into your next project with confidence.

Become a project management pro with MOL  

Building strong project management skills doesn’t just help with one project - it sets you up for long-term success and a rewarding career.

You won’t just become more efficient; you’ll solve problems faster, help your team achieve better results, and watch organisations thrive because of your skills.

If you’re ready to put these tips into action, get started with MOL’s CMI Level 5 Project Management course – contact MOL and get enrolled today!