What qualification do I need for project management?

Good project managers have both hard and soft skills to lead their teams and to deal with stakeholders. Formal training in project management gives them a significant advantage.

Note that project management is not just for project managers – it is an essential skill for all managers. 

IN THIS ARTICLE:

• What Is project management?
• How to become a project manager
  • Learning on the job
  • Project management qualifications 
• The project management skills you need
• The must-haves in a nutshell

What Is project management?

Project management is a discipline in which usually complex initiatives are executed from start to finish in a controlled manner. It has five phases: initiation, planning, execution, control and closure. Project managers are required to manage, connect, lead and control resources within set timelines to achieve specific business goals.

They work with clients and specialist teams to specify project requirements and boundaries, document them, and set up procedures, work breakdown structures, and Gantt charts that will be used by the specialists to understand what is needed from them and keep track of their work. Project managers are also responsible for getting professionals on board, setting budgets, for monitoring progress, quality and spending, and for instituting corrective action where necessary to ensure everything is kept on track.

How to become a project manager

Before we talk about the qualifications and training you need to become a project manager, let’s talk about the kind of person you need to be. 

Project management requires a positive, can-do attitude; excellent communication skills (verbal and written); the ability to solve problems, delegate, and motivate teams; absolute integrity and competence; leadership skills; the stamina to keep going when things are tough; a methodical approach; and to think both analytically and creatively. Does this sound like you? Then read on!

There are different paths to becoming a project manager. Most follow one of two common pathways – learning on the job, or signing up for specific qualifications.

Learning on the job

Sometimes the job one has requires one to handle projects as part of their broader duties. This can be a bit of a hit-and-miss affair if you are not mentored by a more experienced person, or have no specialist training. 

Those who succeed learn pretty quickly – if they don’t already have these skills – to:

• Ensure they understand exactly what is needed, by whom, where, and when; 
• Work out who and what are needed to complete the project, and secure agreement on release of these resources for the project;
• Set out tasks, and plan deadlines and contingency measures;
• Negotiate those deadlines with team members, who are often drawn from other departments for their skills, and don’t report to one;
• Keep all stakeholders up to date and hold them to their deadlines;
• Quick thinking to manage curve balls; and
• Document and get sign off from key stakeholders on everything.

Necessity ensures they master project management software, budgeting, and arm’s-length people management rapidly.

If you are already in this position and would like to work as a full time project manager, consider acquiring project management certification, more project management experience, and polishing your CV so that you can apply for related posts.

Project management qualifications 

Usually an undergraduate degree in management is a preferred qualification for project managers, as it provides a strong foundation in business and human resource management skills, and strengthens the communication and interpersonal skills needed for this job.

While acquiring a master’s degree in project management and specialising in this domain adds substance to any application for a project management role, few organisations demand applicants with master’s degrees in project management. What they do want is experienced, skilled people, and will consider those with:

• A Project Management Practice (PMP) certificate, which prepares candidates to work on a project team;
• An industry-recognised qualification such as a Project Management Professional certification, which methodically imparts the skills to manage projects; or 
• A qualification such as a Bachelor of Business Administration plus a diploma or masters in project management.

Earning project management certification – especially a PMP – alongside your degree could be your best career move. 

The project management skills you need

Besides your education credentials, you need specific skills and competencies to be an effective project manager. These include:

• Time management : Excellent time management is essential if you are to develop realistic goals and help your team keep to delivery deadlines, use resources wisely, and aim for a realistic completion date.

• Planning skills to organise work: Project management demands professionals with planning and estimation skills to co-ordinate and track the progress of their projects.

• Communication : Excellent written communication skills are needed for preparing reports and drafting e-mails and presentations, while oral skills are needed to share ideas and information, and to conduct presentations and meetings effectively.

• Negotiation : Project managers’ daily work involves negotiations, so negotiating is one of their most important skills,. It’s needed to deal with stakeholders, manufacturing partners, project teams, delegates, and so on. Good project managers have to be good negotiators.

• Risk management: Project managers have to be able to recognise, examine, evaluate, and monitor risk to their projects, and to minimise or control the risks by accepting, reducing, avoiding, or transferring them. 

• Leadership: Project managers must be able to lead their teams and manage their activities. They must encourage team members, set the project vision, and motivate their colleagues.

Other skills and attributes project managers need are the ability to think critically and analytically, a creative mindset, a solid work ethic, self-motivation, and accountability.

The must-haves in a nutshell

Project managers should hold a degree in management, have experience in different areas of business management, enjoy working with others while maintaining a leadership role, and have excellent communication, motivation, and other project management skills.
Ready to dive in? Digital Regenesys provides a project management course that can enhance your skills, value, and help you develop your career in one of the most sought-after fields.