I’ve been managing initiatives for over 20 years, so I suppose I have to kinda prefer it!
Beneath, I share the most effective bits about managing initiatives. It by no means fails to amaze me that I nonetheless like it, in any case this time, however partly that’s as a result of reality it by no means will get boring.
And that leads us straight into Motive 1…
#1. The variability
As we speak, IT, tomorrow you’ll be speaking to Advertising. Each day is completely different! Each undertaking is completely different. If you wish to transfer between initiatives and disciplines inside your corporation it’s comparatively simple.
The job has a lot selection, each when it comes to folks, the scope of initiatives and the sort of duties undertaking managers do.
There are such a lot of different project management roles, so you will discover an space that you simply love. And there may be usually clear profession development so you may see the following step to getting promoted.
#2. Main a workforce
Teamwork makes the day extra attention-grabbing. Plus, management is a unbelievable privilege. You get to encourage and encourage folks.
You may encourage folks to do their finest work, take away roadblocks and actually make a distinction to the lives of your colleagues.
#3. Attending to attempt new issues earlier than everybody Else
That is fairly a egocentric cause, however top-of-the-line components about managing initiatives is you get to see what’s coming earlier than anybody else and try it out. That is notably the case for brand new expertise.
It’s a terrific alternative to get your palms on the most recent apps, instruments, programs, and extra earlier than your colleagues within the wider group get to make use of them!
#4. Downside fixing
It’s satisfying to place issues proper. The method of problem-solving is gratifying too: the analysis, evaluation, synthesis, after which the facility of having the ability to make an superior advice.
Plus, it’s an opportunity to be creative as a team.
#5. Introducing new fhings
Delivering change is enjoyable! Introducing new issues into the enterprise is a privilege.
Whether or not it’s new software program performance, processes, small modifications or transformative applications, it’s exhausting work.
However while you get it proper, it’s superb. Folks admire what you’ve performed and the way you’ve improved the way in which they work and the way in which the enterprise operates.
That’s a particular feeling — it makes all of the exhausting work of undertaking planning, execution, and supply worthwhile when you’ve gotten a profitable go-live.
#6. Speaking
There’s a lot communicating required in a project management role. I actually get pleasure from this a part of the job as a result of it will get me out, assembly folks. Plus it’s vital if you wish to perceive the place your stakeholders are coming from.
Communication goes each methods. It’s so vital to hearken to your colleagues, your workforce, your stakeholders, your sponsor, and anybody else — as a result of via listening we come to know higher easy methods to talk the change that’s taking place.
Consider methods the place you may construct feedback loops into the way in which you talk so there are many methods for folks to get in contact with you.
In different phrases, make it simple to speak as a workforce!
#7. Delivering worth
With undertaking work it’s simple to see how your contribution makes a distinction. It’s best to have the ability to draw a direct line between the work of your workforce on the undertaking, and the strategic goals in your group.
When you can also make that connection, it’s simpler to encourage your workforce. Plus, you’ll really feel extra motivated within the day job as effectively as a result of what you’re engaged on goes to have a optimistic influence.
#8. Transferable expertise
Undertaking administration is a unbelievable talent to have as a result of it’s in demand but in addition as a result of it helps you in different areas of life too.
Having transferable expertise like planning, team leadership, and communication assist future-proof your profession and make you extra marketable. Whether or not you wish to transfer into program administration, portfolio management or another function utterly, what you study as a undertaking supervisor will aid you land your subsequent job.
#9. The opposite folks
Undertaking administration provides you entry to a number of completely different areas of the enterprise.
That is one in all my prime causes for loving the job: as a substitute of solely ever seeing the workings inside one division, undertaking work is multidisciplinary and cross-functional.
There’s an enormous profession profit for this — you get to see how the remainder of the corporate works, so it makes you extra invaluable to the enterprise and maybe you’ll discover one other space the place you wish to construct your future.
It’s a extremely optimistic approach to construct relationships and community throughout the group.
#10. Flexibility
Undertaking work is difficult. Notably in the beginning and the tip. These are the busy occasions, when you might not really feel that you’ve the pliability to be… versatile.
However undertaking work is inherently versatile. You are able to do lots of the duties required from house or the workplace. You may work on-site. There’s plenty of data work concerned which you are able to do early mornings or late nights, no matter fits you finest.
That solely works you probably have the assist of your administration workforce. If you may get that, managing initiatives is an effective choice as a profession that permits you to balance work and family.
Don’t get me mistaken: it’s usually busy, extremely worrying, and lengthy hours. However I’d somewhat try this from house in my denims and a jumper than with an extended commute and sporting a go well with day-after-day!
Not all undertaking administration jobs will provide you with this flexibility, but when you will discover one, you’ll flourish.
Examine the job description of the undertaking function you’re going for (or that you’ve), or check out your contract. You could be shocked to study you have already got extra flexibility than you assume.
