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Key qualities of a good project manager

Companies today are primarily managed by projects. These include projects to improve management, quality, computer tools and others. It must be said that a project without a leader is bound to fail. The execution of these projects, and particularly their success, therefore requires the involvement of a project manager. How do you choose the right person? What skills must he have and master?

Texts on this issue are numerous. Be careful. Do not confuse the required qualifications and skills with the actions necessary to successfully complete the project. This article focuses on the first aspect, which includes the qualifications necessary to convert a project into a team success for the organization. Below are the seven qualifications selected.

Understanding of the project and the company: his present and past
The project manager must understand the importance of the project to the company at the current time, but also know the history of the company in relation to the project or similar projects. He must understand the impact of the change process and take the political situation into consideration, if necessary, in order to be able to accomplish his objectives. This is one of the main reasons why it is very difficult for a project manager to get involved in a project that is already underway. The history of the project is very difficult to recuperate when transferring responsibilities.

Communication
He must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills with his colleagues. Clear communications with the parties and management will make it possible to clarify and resolve problems that may arise during the project in the most efficient manner possible. One very important detail must not be overlooked: he is the link between employees and management, in terms of the project. The larger the project, the more time the project manager must spend communicating.

Leadership
Having the skills to question acquisitions, inspire and be a model, while having leadership skills, also demonstrate the competence of a project manager. Trust allows him to maintain a healthy and productive relationship with this team. Furthermore, he must be devoted to the project and have exemplary behaviour to demonstrate his commitment. He must establish standards and respect them.

Having the ability to share and resolve problems with this team is a major asset. Individualism can easily affect the success of the project.

Skills
Above all else, he must know what he is doing and have a winning past. This is the best way to demonstrate his skills. Ideally, the project manager should also have all of the technical and management knowledge required. Since perfection is not attainable, you must at least have a minimum knowledge of the technical characteristics related to the project implementation environment. This knowledge allows him to acquire or maintain his credibility with the other players. Since he is not a specialist, the project manager should be able to surround himself with qualified people, if necessary, to resolve the more technical conflicts that may arise.

Curious and passionate
He must be interested and curious about the different facets of the project. His motivation must be natural, as well as his desire for success. His passion can compensate for technical shortcomings in the eyes of his colleagues.

Interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy
He must often coordinate the work for people over which he has no hierarchical authority. To control the situation, he must use his leadership skills to convince and direct the various people involved in the project (internal personnel, suppliers, customers, etc.). He must understand the parties, their requirements and expectations, and know how to negotiate, on the one hand with management and on the other hand with the parties, to ensure the project runs smoothly. He must have the ability to manage human resources conflicts and ideally, he must be able to prevent them.

To finish, remember that the best asset of the project manager is support from management. The best project manager can never achieve the success desired without this support, which is too often neglected. ed. The increase in performance being primarily due to the miniaturization of equipment, the latter will have reached its limit, which may well be determined by the size of atoms.

Marie-Josée Lafond

References:

Project Smart.co.uk: Top 10 Qualities of a Project Manager