Have you ever wished that the universe would plant a giant billboard with blinking lights right in front of you that spells out precisely what you should do with your life?
Just give me a sign already!
"How do I know if this is a good fit for me?"
Well, color me neon and plant me on the side of the road, because today I am going to share with you five signs that you would make a stellar Project Manager. This list is not all-encompassing, but it does highlight a few of the key attributes that will lead Project Managers to continued success.
1. You are Organized.
Have you spent hours perfecting your digital filing system? Does the thought of a detailed spreadsheet bring you feelings of harmony and peace?
If so, you may be a good Project Manager.
In any project, there are many moving pieces. Often these elements are complex and changing. If the project structure is disorganized, the risk of scope creep, budget overruns, and timeline slippage are increasingly likely. One way to reduce those risks is to maintain a thoughtful structure of organization throughout the Project Management process. There isn't one correct way to organize your files and processes, though there are best practices, and your organization may have guidelines. Project plans and organization are more like an easel, canvas, and art supplies. We all have similar "art supplies," but different artists will use each of those supplies differently and create their own masterworks.
2. You ARE Process Driven.
As project managers, we are process-driven people. At first blush, that sentiment may sound like we don't leave room innovation or flexibility, but that is not the case. Understanding and following through on established processes means that we understand the need for a plan before implementation. We realize that a certain level of monitoring is necessary to meet timeline demands. Gathering requirements, allocating resources and materials, and doing research are all parts of the process that lead us to success. Imagine trying to build a plane in mid-air without knowing where you are going or when you're supposed to be there. This chaos is life without a project plan.
Plans and processes don't have to stifle innovation. They can facilitate innovation. When team members know what their objectives are, how much time they have, and what resources are available to them, they can use all of that knowledge to inform their decision making and can use that information to innovate. Don't believe me? You don't have to take my word for it. Ask the NASA engineers who were tasked by JFK to put a man on the moon inside of ten years. That's one small step for Project Management, Houston.
3. You can Adapt.
Project Managers are next-level, expert, chameleon-style professionals at adapting.
While the plans and processes we just discussed are essential, we also operate in the real world where any number of things could change your project processes and approach.
Have you ever attempted a home DIY project?
Let's say that you want to build a new shelf. You do some browsing on Pinterest and browse stain options at the hardware store. You estimate approximately how much wood you will need and what supplies you'll need to purchase. You find a free weekend in your calendar and pencil in Build Shelf on your schedule. The day arrives and ... everything goes according to plan, right? [Insert the laughter and wails of everyone who has ever attempted a DIY project.]
The point that I am trying to highlight is that in every plan, there needs to be room to pivot and adapt. It is vital to do research and have an organized plan in place, but it is also essential that there is room to pivot as needed. If that type of adaptability feels good on your skin, welcome to the club; you may just be a chameleon...err, Project Manager.
4. You are Willing to Ask Questions.
Were you the kid in class who couldn't help but raise your hand and ask the teacher questions?
When you learned about something new, did you find yourself thinking, "but why?" or, "how did they do that?"
Do you watch movies and find yourself questioning plotholes? "Oh, so a replica of the safe they're trying to rob just showed up in their warehouse? How? I don't think so."
If any of these are you, then you might be a Project Manager.
As project managers, we are the question askers.
How long is that going to take?
What resources do we have available?
Who needs to be informed?
What is our success criteria?
Are there any risks involved?
What are our contingency plans?
If you have ever been in a meeting that you were hoping would end, but Questioning-Carol just couldn't stop asking questions, Carol may have been a Project Manager.
We don't ask questions to be annoying or to keep anyone in meetings longer than they need to be (trust me, we want to go home just as badly as you do). We ask questions to gain an understanding of expectations. We ask questions to clarify. If we are playing with a partial deck of information, the odds of holding the Royal Flush of project success diminish significantly.
5. You are Willing to Learn.
The most important trait that every Project Manager must have is a willingness to learn. Every organization, team, and project will be different. Project Management tools will evolve. The needs of the market will flex, ebb, and flow. Technology will advance and improve. One of the only things that we know for sure is that there will always be new things to learn.
Does doing the same thing at the same desk every day for the next twenty years sound like your nightmare? Mine, too. What makes Project Management exciting is that our practice will never be stagnant. We will always be at the tip of the innovation spear! Because we are always innovating and learning, there will never be a "last word" about Project Management. There is room for everyone to learn, grow, innovate, and make our field better!
If you are looking for a sign that Project Management may be a good fit for you, I hope that you will keep these few traits in mind on your journey of discovery. Additionally, whatever characteristics make you, you, please bring those to the table! The hands-down best thing about Project Management is that I get to work with all kinds of people every day on my project teams. Each person contributes to our success with their unique set of skills and perspectives. If you're wondering if the field of Project Management needs you, the answer is yes, we do!