Bright future for project managers
Project management is a necessity in any industry and offers good career prospects, writes of online education company Getsmarter
N TODAY’S tough market conditions, it is critical to ensure that a company’s resources are used in a way that maximises efficiency so the company can succeed and be profitable.
It is for this reason that the discipline of project management has become progressively more valuable as a tool for managing the business operations of a wide cross-section of industries from construction and IT to marketing, finance and beyond.
The increasing complexity of manufacturing and service industries has meant that a specialised approach to project planning, resource allocation and cost management is necessary to avoid waste and minimise risk.
Project management originates from the construction industry’s need for a means to regulate the processes and resources of large-scale building projects, and this remains just as relevant today.
Change is a normal and expected part of the construction process. Whether this is due to design modifications, differing site conditions or material availability, these all represent risks that need to be planned for and managed.
The cost and scheduling constraints involved in such projects are critical factors that can result in massive overruns if managed incorrectly. By implementing careful design and planning processes, and integrating these with co-ordinated management of resource procurement and work sched-
Iules, construction projects can maintain a careful check on budgeting and efficiency.
Effective project management will provide for an adaptable means of dealing with these variables and will keep the project on task and in line with its resource allocations.
IT is another industry where project management skills are highly valued. Due to the highly specialised nature of the IT industry, and the demand for constant modification and revision of its products, the need for effective project management is self-evident.
It is important that clear parameters and goals are defined before product develop- ment. The role of the project leader is vital to the successful management and rollout of deliverables.
Some common problems in the IT field can be overcome by the application of basic princi- ples project management. Keeping a check on the scope “creep” which afflicts many IT projects will dramatically improve completion rates and will keep cost metrics within acceptable limits. Communica- tion between these two groups is therefore vital to prevent misunderstandings and to achieve a balance, which will ensure that quality and business value are not compromised.
In the marketing industry, a project manager is the one who keeps the boat afloat: drafting a timeline, revising it to fit shifting staff commitments and keeping the project on track and focused on meeting key aims is the task of the project manager.
The effective management of soft skills is needed to ensure success in marketing. The collaborative process of managing a team of sales people requires many inputs, and the approach to project management needs to factor this in.
Ensuring that all liaisons between staff and branding partners, clients and suppliers are streamlined, while ensuring effective media relations, are all equally vital to the running of a marketing department. Getting a handle on these varied processes through effective project management will allow the team to make the most of their available resources and maximise results.
Proper management of follow-up sessions and the production of meaningful reports will add further value to the process.
Consider attending the University of Cape Town Project Administration course, presented online throughout SA by online education company GetSmarter. For more information, contact Anique on 021 447 7565 or anique@getsmarter. co.za. Alternatively, visit www. GetSmarter.co.za.