Project Manager Career Guide and Counseling

Question: What can this project manager do to energize their project team? Scenario: You are introduced to a project manager, who does not have authority to give a pay raise or promote a project team member. This project manager can report poor performance of a team member to the employee’s manager. The project manager also does not control the budget. Product management allocates the budget. With this information, what can this project manager do to energize their project team? Any thoughts on this?

Answer: Get everybody together - look at the task at hand - have a few at the local pub and talk shop - Break down any beariors that might hinder working together - Get people working together and doing what each person does best - Once the project is underway then keep it going - Meet each others families - And above all Don't complain about another person to anyone else except that person.

Question: How can a project manager be sure that he or she has chosen the correct metrics to assess project performance? How can a project manager be sure that he or she has chosen the correct metrics to assess project performance?

Answer: There is many possible correct answers. Some solutions like PRINCE2 stresses the business case, and your metrics would then be set to measure only towards achieving the business case. A similar approach is followed in programme management. It does not allow for micro-management (which is the way I like to do things in any case) and manages by exception.

Question: How should i pay a project manager for property development? I am about to hire a project manager (foreman) who will be responsible for day to day activities in a real estate project. The project involves converting a multi unit to condo with parking lot. The soon to be foreman is currently a contractor but i know he has the raw skill to manage a project. I am just not sure how to pay him. Per hour? Per week, per month. Or agreed upon fee for the duration of the project?

Answer: In my experience, They are to be paid by an agreed upon amount bi-monthly. Then a lump sum bonus when project is complete (i.e. an estimated 6 month project, salary not to exceed $60,000 @$5000 2 times per month) Upon project completion, 15% bonus if completed early or 5% within one week of projected finish or no bonus if completed more than "X" number of days past estimated completion date.) This will give you both a good idea the maximum amount paid out for budgeting purposes.

Question: Project Managers Job, What Courses and Qualification Do I need To get a job as a project Manager in UK? I am interested in becoming a project manager as I have Decades of experience of managing businesses and people but do not have any relevant qualification. I am very in specifically getting a job as a project Manager in the Manchester Area. What Courses and Qualification Do I need To get a job as a project Manager in Manchester UK? And how long does the course and training last for? KEE PING it is the salary of 35K to 100K PA that I am interested in and not the WOODBINE,

Answer: You should invest in some kind of Project Methodology qualification such as Prince II. It's quite expensive but it will give you a very good support to your current experience and you will be recognised as a Prince II practitioner which is quite uncommon so will improve your prospects with potential employers. Good Luck

Question: What a project manager must be capable of doing to complete a project within constraints of scope,time,bud? Project Planning & Management: What a project manager must be capable of doing to complete a project within constraints of scope, time and budget?

Answer: Be organized, prioritize, be able to manage people, be able to plan financially, prepare costings and know where best to trim if necessary to stay within budget, getting best value for money.

Question: What information will the project manager or client require from the design team? What information will the project manager or client require from the design team before construction can be given the go ahead.

Answer: This may not be complete, but resources required.... I.E. Number of days to complete the design with a timeline (if it is part of the project), man-hours required to implement the design (if the design team is part of the implementation team), budget (unless finance deals with that), physical resources involved in the design (all types), Risks involved (state whether it is high or low and rank them).

Question: Assigned as New Project Manager and have no support when you start? As you begin your assignment as a project manager, you quickly realise that the corporate sponsor for the project no longer supports the project. What will you do?

Answer: Try to make it the best, at least you can put the experience at your resume. Try to get noticed anyway, it doesn't hurt. You can also make the great jump forward and ask you may purchase the project and run it as a stand alone business (a so called management buy-out).

Question: What does the IT Project Manager position entail? I am considering becoming an IT Project Manager, having completed my MBA and PMP cert (and I need to get out of my day to day techie job which I can't stand anymore). Can anyone shed light on what the day to day IT Project Management job is like? Thanks.

Answer: Day to day, it's a lot about attending a lot of meetings, dealing with people to set expectations, solve problems, get commitment, begging for resources, following up on details, dealing with difficult personalities, communicating with others on how your project is going, etc. It's great when you deliver results, it's challenging when you need to deal with conflict and problems.

Question: Is being a project manager for a computer company alot of responsability? My boyfriend is a project manager for a computer company, we don't get to see each other that much because his job is so hectic. Is that a really hectic job to have could it wear a person down?

Answer: Being a project manager for any company is hectic if one gets serious with the job.But whether it could wear a person down depends on how that person deals with the job pressure.

Question: What are defining characteristics of a typical project manager? I'm trying to create a portrait of the stereotypical project manager, be they in the high tech, medical or consumer products world. Looking for types of behavior, mannerisms, and just plain odd little things that set them apart from other roles in the corporation. And they can be funny exaggerations as well as honest observations.

Answer: Some endearing traits are: 1) A paper pusher 2) Good talker and presenter who after a good rehearsal with the team on all issues, can break bad news to the management and get an extension. 3) Maintains a good project plan but gets others to fill out the details for him 4) Annoys team members with requests for status updates to the point where they volunteer status updates before he asks them 5) Takes the blame for any unforeseen setbacks or project delays 6) Gives credit to team members and agrees that he is just the "scribe". 7) Understands details only to the point where he needs to sit back and finally ask the question "OK - this is over my head, you as the subject matter expert, tell me what my options are" 8) Always checks and double checks 9) Listens patiently to team members personal problems but rarely offers any useful advice (he just needs to lend a ear) 10) Takes team members out to celebrate small successes on the project budget (so yes he has to be creative in budgeting). 11) Should have come from the trenches (if he really wants to endear himself to the team); this quality often is lacking in most PMs and so they are often refered to by the geeks in his team as a mere paper pusher. Having come from the trenches makes a PM more effective in the planning and issue resolution process. ------------

Question: How much should a person who is the project manager for starting a new dealership store get paid? I'd be interested to hear from people who have been there, or know people who have. There is a new brand in the dealership group and this person is in charge of project timelines, hiring, expanding market awareness, scheduling, budgeting, everything down to the letterhead. They will be the manager of the facility when it is complete. What is the pay that this person should expect/request?

Answer: You have given insufficient data. Location? Volume? Look at what the heads of the other brands in your dealership group are pulling in. Whith no other knowledge, 0-$1million should do.

Question: As a project manager, you are responsible for the quality of materials delivered at your workplace. A consignm As a project manager, you are responsible for the quality of materials delivered at your workplace. A consignment of ferrous and non- ferrous metals are to be dispatched soon to you discuss the steps that you have to take in order to ensure that only good quality materials (in this case, ferrous and non-ferrous) shall be selected for your company.

Answer: First the materials should be purchased to meet known industry standards such as ASTM. The manufacturer should be checked to assure they meet this standards and have sufficient quality control procedures to maintain the quality. Finally they should mark all product with the appropriate material designations. They should also provide certified paperwork that the materials delivered meet requirements specified. If the quality is extremely critical, an inspector working for you should visit the plant to check on the manufacture as it progresses.

Question: As a project manager, you are asked to facilitate a lessons learned session as part of the project termination As a project manager, you are asked to facilitate a lessons learned session as part of the project termination process. As a project manager, you are asked to facilitate a lessons learned session as part of the project termination process. How would you facilitate this session and what are some guidelines you would use? How would you incorporate and document the information gleaned from this session into future project plans and tools?

Answer: It should be an objective analysis of the task and What obstacles were encountered . How the challenges were handled & Ask could there have been a better way . Were deadlines met ? Were delays due to foreseeable issues like staffing ? Or did a hurricane flood out the computer storage room ? (act of god , somethings no one can prevent) It should be objective and not a finger-pointing / blame venting session . >

Question: How much of being a project manager is common sense / street smarts / EQ and how much is tech savvy? Not just IT projects, but all kinds. Is years of experience a prerequisite? Or can you get by if you know the subject backwards? Or do you need sound managerial skills? Why would a person with these skills / abilities go for the uncertainty and heartburn of project execution, instead of holding down a line manager's job? In short, what does it take, and what makes 'em tick?

Answer: You need sound managerial skills, the ability to come up with a project plan and the ability to line up resources and remove obstacles that would delay the project. Being technically savvy helps, but it isn't a large part of it, probably 20-25% tops. Project managers do not make good programmers any more than programmers make good project managers. And since I program I don't have any ax to grind there. I would be horrible at project management, don't have the temperament for it. The worst project I ever worked on was one run by a programmer. It failed. You do need to understand the business the project is for, or have a good functional design analyst working for you that does. Project management is pretty lucrative, you are usually talking director level $100K or better jobs. You are right though, there is more risk involved than being a line manager. On the other hand, you are actually creating something, which is kind of a rush in itself, and you are constantly doing new things. -Dio

Question: What are the Duties of a PROJECT MANAGER ? I must know in details, as it is very necessary coz I have an job offer for that, what are the duties and rights of a Project Manager ? Thanx in advance.

Answer: According to http://www.mariosalexandrou.com/free-job-descriptions/project-manager.asp, the duties are :- Creates and executes project work plans and revises as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements. Identifies resources needed and assigns individual responsibilities. Manages day-to-day operational aspects of a project and scope. Reviews deliverables prepared by team before passing to client. Effectively applies our methodology and enforces project standards. Prepares for engagement reviews and quality assurance procedures. Minimizes our exposure and risk on project. Ensures project documents are complete, current, and stored appropriately. Project Accounting Tracks and reports team hours and expenses on a weekly basis. Manages project budget. Determines appropriate revenue recognition, ensures timely and accurate invoicing, and monitors receivables for project. Follows up with clients, when necessary, regarding unpaid invoices. Analyzes project profitability, revenue, margins, bill rates and utilization.

Question: how to be a Project Manager from a Team Leader in software MNC? Currently I am working as a Team Leader in a Multinational Software Company and I want to be a Project Manager.... What shall I do for that ? MBA or any Project Management course or certification ?

Answer: I grabbed a doctorate in business admin from the one and only Cooterschnapps University in MA. It's known for its business department and excellent day care center.