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While the project manager is responsible for applying the correct tools and techniques to ensure the success of the project, effective project management technique requires that the project manager possess the following characteristics: knowledge, performance, and personal. For this assignment you are asked to write a short essay on why a project manager should have these characteristics and their relevance to managing a project.
Your essay should:
i. Discuss why project managers are integral to managing successful projects.
ii. Explain the relevance of the following characteristics: knowledge, performance, and personal.
iii. Identify how you can build on the key characteristics to become a better project manager.
iv. Describe an example of when a project manager did not possess the right characteristics. What was the outcome?
v. Describe a situation where you were able to work under an effective project manager. What characteristics and skills did they possess?
Inevitably, the importance of a dynamic, visionary, and charismatic project manager in managing and successfully carrying through a project can never be overestimated or overstated. It is the project manager that provides the quintessential leadership to the rest of the people involved in his team (Taylor, 2009). The possession of various characteristics embedded in a project manager, such as, knowledge, performance and personal, ensures that any kind of project undertaken is carried out and completed in the most satisfactory manner.
Well, it would hardly be possible to ensure the completion of a successful and satisfactory project without the unwavering support, enthusiasm, excellent communication and exemplary leadership projected by a competent project manager (Mikkelsen, 1990). Any obstacles faced by his fellow colleagues who may apparently appear to be insurmountable are resolved expeditiously and efficiently with his quick thinking and proper direction. He can indeed be described as the very pillar of the project, on whose very foundation rests the entire edifice of the project undertaken. Let us observe the importance of the following characteristics which undoubtedly constitute a successful project manager, namely knowledge, performance and personal. Obviously, possessing adequate and sufficient knowledge of the kind of project undertaken, understanding its various dimensions involved, and, analyzing it in various ways, is absolutely essential for making a project look impressive (Kasevich, 1986).
Performance is what ultimately determines the standing of a project manager, and, also the way he is viewed by his peers and colleagues. If the performance of a project manager is perceived to be laggardly, or, not living up to the required expectation, it serves as a kind of discouragement to the rest of the team. Further, the failure to perform satisfactorily one influences the others in a majorly negative way, thereby, affecting the entire quality of the project in a major way. The personal quality embedded in a successful project manager is reflected by his integrity towards the kind of work undertaken by him. Being honest and sincere improves his overall standing in the eyes of his colleagues tremendously (Lewis, 2007). Citing an example to demonstrate the point made above, let me recall a case where the project manager was devoid of the qualities which constitute a successful project manager. The entire project turned out to be an abject failure, with the entire team involved in it being completely demoralized and demotivated. Clearly, the failure of the project manager had a devastating impact on the rest of the team. In contrast to this, I had the opportunity of serving under an efficient project manager. He was honest, sincere, and knowledgeable. Further, he was a constant motivator. In other words, he was the perfect embodiment of a successful project manager.
It can be suggested that the managers should possess enough knowledge about the project should have enough acumen to handle a live project. It is imperative for the project manager to understand all the nuisances that are involved in handling a project.
Kasevich, Lawrence. Harvard Project Manager/Total Project Manager. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books, 1986. Print.
Lewis, James P. Fundamentals Of Project Management. New York: American Management Association, 2007. Print.
Mikkelsen, Hans. "Quality Of Project Work And Project Management". International Journal of Project Management 8.3 (1990): 138-143. Web.
Taylor, Peter. The Lazy Project Manager. Oxford: Infinite Ideas, 2009. Print.