Short-Term Project Manager

When do you need a Good Project Manager?

It’s a trick question because a good, delivery-focused, project manager adds value even before the project has started, ensures a smooth implementation into ‘business as usual’ and successfully manages all of the phases in between.

What Traits make a Good Project Manager?

Good project managers are hard to find and great project managers are rarer still.  Studies have identified the traits of the top 2 percent of project managers:

1. Command authority naturally.

In other words, they do not need borrowed power to enlist the help of others – they just know how to do it.  They are optimistic leaders who are viewed in a favourable light and are valued by the organisation.

2. Possess quick sifting abilities, knowing what to note and what to ignore.

The latter is more important since there is almost always too much data and rarely too little.  Focusing on the right items is better than trying to master extraneous data.

3. Set, monitor and re-evaluate priorities frequently.

Work smarter to handle fewer emails, attend fewer meetings and generally limit wasted effort, all allow for concentration on task that ensure success.

4. Ask good questions and listen to stakeholders.

Great project managers do not just go through the motions rather they care about communication passionately and value the opinions of all parties involved.

5. Do not use information as a weapon or a means of control.

Communication should be clear, complete and concise.  Ethics are important here as all the while truthful, justifiable information should be provided without fear of what it will be used for.

6. Adhere to the expected communication schedule.

As it is often the only deliverable early in the project cycle and supports the building of confidence by the stakeholders.

7. Possess broad expertise in project management and apply that blend of experience to the project in hand.

Core ‘technical’ skills of project management can produce positive results but broad knowledge, skills and experience can be used to apply the right techniques, at the right stage of the project to ensure success.

8. Exercise independent and fair consensus-building skills when conflict arises.

Teams achieve more than a group of individuals.  Good project managers bring together teams and enable focus on solid project objectives by all team members.

9. Cultivate and rely on extensive informal networks inside and outside the firm to solve problems that arise.

The identification of any critical issue that threatens the project is the first step.  Taking pro-active action to resolve or mitigate issues often requires the leverage of all of the project managers’ network.

10. Look forward to going to work!

Project management is an exciting challenge that is critical to an organisations’ success.  A truly great project manager has the passion, determination and skills to meet that challenge and retain a smile.

In summary, great project managers plan, manage, and handle details in a way that lets others relax.

Introducing…

Craig Hughes is available to your organisation on a short-term basis, and is an experienced, skilled, qualified professional project and programme manager.

20+ years successful experience of leading business and technology change in projects and programmes for blue-chip organisations in multiple and varied global market sectors.

Recommendations from previous colleagues attest to results-orientated, project delivery.

OK I get the idea, can we discuss this?

To start a no-commitment conversation use the contact form and I’ll give you call.