project manager definition

Here’s a quick overview of the most important sections of a project plan. Here’s a quick definition of each of the 10 project management knowledge areas, first defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in its Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Now that we’ve defined what project management is and where it came from, let’s review how it can be implemented by organizations by reviewing the project management Technical Project Manager/Business Analyst job steps.

project manager definition

What Are The Duties And Responsibilities Of A Project Manager?

Similarly, they’re skilled in selecting the best project management software and tools to help them shepherd projects from the initial planning phase through execution and post-mortem. For most projects in a typical organization, project managers oversee teams from multiple functional areas that are expected to work together during the project to reach the desired goal. Project managers must have strong leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. Understanding the distinctions between a project manager and a senior project manager job description clarifies career progression and role expectations.

Phases of project management life cycle

project manager definition

Project monitoring and Web development control, the fourth phase of project management, happens while the project is being executed. In order to make sure the project team stays on track and within budget, it entails keeping an eye on how the project execution activities are going. Quality assurance is ensured through the application of quality control techniques. Another essential component of this project management phase is reporting. Project managers can use it to monitor progress in the first place, and stakeholders can receive updates during presentations by using the data it provides. Numerous project management reports are available, including those on project status, timesheets, workload, allocation, and expenses.

  • These resources cost money, so you’ll need to estimate all your project costs to create a project budget.
  • The project initiation phase ends with a kickoff meeting, which is when project goals and scope are defined.
  • Teams using hybrid methodologies typically adopt the structured approach to creating a project scope from traditional methods, such as Waterfall, but use Agile’s sprints or short work iterations to complete the work.
  • Using project management software unleashes your team’s and the project’s full potential and takes the end result to new heights.
  • This can be useful in identifying learning and development opportunities.

Keep meticulous task documentation

Their expertise in managing timelines and resources prevents miscommunication and scope creep. Jira’s Timelines, Lists, and Boards empower project managers to organize tasks visually, monitor progress, and make informed decisions. With Timelines, teams can map out key milestones and dependencies, ensuring projects stay on track. Lists offer a straightforward way to prioritize tasks and responsibilities, while Boards enable agile collaboration, making workflows transparent and adaptable.

  • In addition, they’ll identify and mitigate risks, deal with problems and incorporate any changes.
  • It is the initiation, planning and control of a range of tasks required to deliver this end product, which could be a physical product, it could be new software or something less tangible like a new way of working.
  • Critical chain project management focuses on managing the uncertainties, task dependencies and resource restrictions that can affect project schedules.
  • PRINCE2 is the most popular project management methodology in the UK, Australia, and European countries.
  • This guide explores the role of PMs, highlighting their critical responsibilities, key skills, and best strategies.
  • This process involves distributing the available resources efficiently to various project tasks.

Understanding Key Project Management Roles

  • Architectural project manager are project managers in the field of architecture.
  • The decision to officially divide a project into phases is an excellent way to manage the team’s focus, allocate resources, and align the entire project life cycle with clients and stakeholders.
  • Often, in the digital space, you’ll hear those people referred to as “users,” and a lot of work is done to ensure a product is built to please these people.
  • Programs are a group of related projects that are executed simultaneously to make the most out of an organization’s available resources which presents unique challenges for project management professionals.
  • Jobs in project management are growing at a rate faster than average compared to other occupations.
  • Assembling the right project team for remote or hybrid work involves carefully considering the project’s nature and required collaboration level.

Her postgraduate degree in computer management fuels her comprehensive analysis and exploration of tech topics. This includes HR (hours or headcount), materials, equipment and financial resources. In the U.S., a project manager with a PMP certification can, on average, earn over $122,000 annually 2. Scrum masters holding a Certified Scrum Master certification can earn roughly $120,000 annually 3. The globally recognized PMP certification from PMI will prove you have the required skills to lead projects. Failure to do so can lead to scope creep, a term used to describe a project that is late, over budget, or worse, both.

project manager definition