{"id":3676,"date":"2022-06-21T12:44:50","date_gmt":"2022-06-21T16:44:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/?p=3676"},"modified":"2025-07-04T00:36:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-04T04:36:22","slug":"how-to-become-a-project-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/how-to-become-a-project-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Become a Project Manager: A Simple Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pwc.com.tr\/en\/publications\/arastirmalar\/pages\/pwc-global-project-management-report-small.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">97% of organizations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> believe that knowledge of project management is crucial to organizational success.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s no doubt that organizations looking for project managers prefer to recruit people who have the skillset and expertise to handle complex project management scenarios, and who can effectively organize teams of people to accomplish specific goals or projects for the company.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this is a role that interests you, then you\u2019ll need to acquire (or hone) a variety of skills and gain some experience as a project manager who oversees every aspect of a project from initial planning through completion.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that there are many paths to <strong>becoming a project manager (PM)<\/strong>. Read the rest of this article to discover how you can start moving toward your dream of becoming a successful and effective project manager, starting right now.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is a Project Manager?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply put, project management refers to the process of managing a project and all its different components from start to finish.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Every project, regardless of industry, can be broken down into roughly the same phases or processes, and these are:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initiation<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Planning<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Executing<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring and Controlling<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"888\" height=\"368\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Stages-of-a-Project.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Stages-of-a-Project.png\" alt=\"Stages of a Project\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-3677\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27888%27%20height%3D%27368%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20888%20368%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27888%27%20height%3D%27368%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Stages-of-a-Project-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Stages-of-a-Project-768x318.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Stages-of-a-Project.png 888w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 888px) 100vw, 888px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project managers have an essential and indispensable role to play in each one of these stages. But don\u2019t be fooled into thinking this 5-step process is simple &#8211; far from it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/traditional-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Project management<\/a> is one of the most complex fields of work out there.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a project manager, you\u2019ll be responsible for leading the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">entire <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">project through initiation, planning, execution, control, and ultimately completion.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You will have to work with a team, be sociable, and be a great team player. Furthermore, you will need to have the skill to adapt to different people, environments, cultures, and situations &#8211; which means you\u2019ll have to be extremely flexible.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To be a great project manager, you\u2019ll also have to be a team leader, co-worker, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supervisor &#8211; all at the same time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll be expected to be all of this and more in order to ensure effective team communication since you will be in charge of building <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">controlling the team.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suffice it to say that this is one of the most challenging careers you can choose as no day will be the same as the next, and you will often be faced with problems that require ALL your project management skills to solve.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Basic Responsibilities of a Project Manager<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know what a PM is, let\u2019s take a quick look at some of the basic responsibilities that will fall to you as a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of your duties will include things like:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking part in the creation process<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Developing ideas and transforming them into actionable project plans<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating specific strategies, processes, and tasks to be completed<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparing communication methods<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finding solutions to recurring issues<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitoring the progress from start to finish<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring your team is fulfilling their duties and actually getting things done<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Training and coaching team members to perform to the best of their abilities easily using <a href=\"https:\/\/wpamelia.com\/free-coaching-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">coaching software<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Submitting the completed project to managers and\/or clients<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensuring that projects remain within <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/businessguru.co\/variable-expenses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">budget constraints<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, <a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/what-do-project-manager-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">project managers<\/a> have a variety of responsibilities, however, their primary focus is always to plan, execute, and oversee the project.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Examples of Project Managers in Various Fields<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many different industries employ project managers to oversee projects. There are several types of PMs, including:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marketing project managers<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health care project managers<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Construction site project managers<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Architectural project managers<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IT project managers<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engineering project managers&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/what-is-pmo-and-what-does-it-mean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PMO<\/a> manager<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Systems project manager<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026and many others.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Education is Beneficial for a Project Manager?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this section, we\u2019re going to assess what education you need to become an effective and successful PM.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Professional Certifications<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the quickest ways to realize your dream of being a project manager is to go out and earn yourself a project management certification.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is often a requirement for some PM positions, and it can undoubtedly help you stand out among applicants.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the right project management certification, you\u2019ll be able to show future employers that you have the insights, professional expertise, and practical knowledge to meet any project demands. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This certification will not only help you unlock new opportunities, but it can also give you the confidence to take on a <a href=\"https:\/\/lensa.com\/insights\/career-change-at-30\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">career change at 30<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many <a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/best-project-manager-certifications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">project manager certification<\/a> programs designed for all experience levels, which means that there is always an optimal next step to accelerate and enhance your career.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are different types of certifications you can get, including:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>CAPM:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Certified Associate in Project Management&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>PMP:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Project Management Professional certifications&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Google Project Management: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Professional Certification<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each certification has different requirements. For example, the PMP certification requires individuals to have 4,500 hours for anyone with a <a href=\"https:\/\/research.com\/degrees\/best-online-bachelors-in-project-management-programs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bachelor&#8217;s degree or higher<\/a>&nbsp;and 7,500 hours of practical experience for those with an <a href=\"https:\/\/campus.edu\/online-associates-degree-in-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">associate&#8217;s degree in business<\/a> or another field.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The image below shows the PMP certification requirements, organized by years of experience.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"635\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements-1024x635.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements-1024x635.png\" alt=\"become a project manager: Key certifications\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-3684\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27635%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201024%20635%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27635%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements-768x477.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements-1024x635.png 1024w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/PMP-certification-requirements.png 1436w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The PMP Certification, in particular, is the most important industry-recognized project management certification and is recognized as the gold standard across the world. With this global PMP certification, you can work in virtually any industry, in any location, and with any methodology.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Free Online Courses<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project management certifications are one way to showcase your knowledge and credibility as a project manager. But, they aren\u2019t the only (or best) way.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re not keen on getting a certification like the ones mentioned above, you can opt for this approach instead.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can take free and paid online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theknowledgeacademy.com\/courses\/project-management-courses\/\" title=\"\">project management course <\/a>to get the skills you require to advance your career. You\u2019ll be able to learn all the <a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/what-does-yfx-mean\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">project management fundamentals<\/a> right up to advanced concepts &#8211; all from the comfort of your home or office, and in your own time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some free project management courses to consider:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>SimpliLearn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplilearn.com\/learn-project-management-fundamentals-skillup\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduction to Project Management<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Edx.org<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.edx.org\/course\/introduction-to-project-management\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Introduction to Project Management<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Free with optional upgrade)<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examlabs \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.examlabs.com\/az-104-exam-dumps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Exam Dumps<\/a>: Practice Test Questions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Udemy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.udemy.com\/course\/pmp-exam-prep-project-management-certification-pmbok-5\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMP Exam Prep: Project Management Certification<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page-1024x643.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page-1024x643.png\" alt=\"Skillup home page\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-3685\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27643%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201024%20643%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271024%27%20height%3D%27643%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page-768x482.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page-1024x643.png 1024w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Skillup-home-page.png 1449w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Higher Education<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By now, I hope you\u2019re starting to see that being a project management professional is about more than just qualifications and degrees.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tealhq.com\/certifications\/project-manager\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">many certifications<\/a> you can take, it\u2019s important to note that having a degree is not required.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having said that, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.discoverbusiness.us\/education\/project-management-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">earning a bachelor\u2019s degree<\/a> can do wonders for your career as a PM.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most individuals who wish to become project managers start by earning a bachelor&#8217;s degree, and there are several areas of study you can choose as the focus for your undergraduate degree.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most popular is business management, and related majors include marketing and project management.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Skills Are Required to be a Project Manager?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project managers often have a number of both hard and soft skills depending on the particular industry they are working in.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some of the skills that most successful project managers share:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zavvy.io\/downloads\/leadership-competency-model\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leadership skills<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/communication-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication skills<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Decision-making skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Financial management skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Team-building skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time management\/delegation skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Critical thinking skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conflict resolution skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality management skills<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Negotiating skills<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026and many others.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s clear to see that there are a lot of skills that you\u2019ll need to become successful as a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are three main foundational <a href=\"https:\/\/jofibo.com\/blog\/skills-for-resume\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">skills that you need to showcase<\/a> when you\u2019re starting out (often in your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thevectorimpact.com\/resume-outline\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">resume<\/a> and during the interview), and these are:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication Skills<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communication is among the largest responsibilities you\u2019ll have as a PM because you must communicate with different individuals who are involved with the project, whether as team members or stakeholders.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need to show that you have great communication skills that will enable you to meet goals while keeping project owners informed of the status of the work.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organization Skills<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a project manager, there are several aspects you must oversee for most projects, and this calls for attention to detail and high levels of organization to ensure that the project is completed on schedule <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">within budget.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leadership Skills<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PMs often have to lead individuals they have never worked closely with before. You\u2019ll need strong leadership skills to help those people feel comfortable with you in your role as the overseer of the project, and you may also have to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/quantic.edu\/2021\/04\/15\/10-ways-to-improve-employee-relations-in-2021\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">motivate members of your team<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to complete their tasks properly and on time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These are just a few of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.coachhub.com\/performance-and-talent\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">soft skills<\/a> that successful project managers often have, but with these three foundational skills, you\u2019ll be well on your way to becoming an effective project manager regardless of your level of experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Workplace Experience is Required to be a Project Manager<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, being a project manager is about more than just degrees and qualifications. While there are lots of certifications you can take if you want to, having a degree is not required. As we have mentioned above, financial management is essential for project managers, and they <a href=\"https:\/\/crushthefinancialanalystexam.com\/financial-certifications-that-have-the-best-roi\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">can get financial certifications with the best ROI<\/a> to become more experienced in finance.<br><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are lots of other steps to becoming a project manager that you can take, but having experience is crucial to every career path.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll have to develop your hands-on project management experience to become a project manager without a degree. But don\u2019t worry, the entire process is easier than most would think.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, you\u2019ve probably already been developing project management experience and project management skills without even realizing it.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, most work involves different types of projects which have lots of moving parts, such as:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research and Planning<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross-Team Coordination<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgeting and Financial Reporting<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/onehourprofessor.com\/best-website-builders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building websites<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other digital platforms<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Managing resources and employees<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026and so on.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve ever been in a situation where you\u2019ve had to manage and oversee any such project to ensure that everything stays on track, then you\u2019ve acted in the capacity of a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To begin improving your project management skills and gaining the necessary work experience, consider the key project management knowledge areas so you can determine where you must focus your attention.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>The 10 Key Project Management \u201cKnowledge Areas\u201d are:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scope management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/project-management-tools-for-freelancers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule management<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integration management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quality management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Procurement management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resource management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Communications management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stakeholder management<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gaining on-the-job experience is an essential part of landing a position as a PM, and you can start to put your plan into action by focusing on one key knowledge area at a time, and prioritizing those areas where you need to grow the most.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To amass the experience you need even faster, you can <\/span><b>volunteer for projects <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">whenever you can. <\/span><b>Take on additional responsibilities<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; even those outside of your comfort area so you can fast-track your growth.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With that said, you\u2019ll also need to have extensive familiarity with different types of digital platforms as a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Tools Do Project Managers Need to Master?&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, there are many different tools you need to familiarize yourself with so you can effectively handle any type of project thrown at you.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.notifyvisitors.com\/blog\/best-email-marketing-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Email Marketing Software<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dynamic and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/teleporthq.io\/blog\/popular-static-site-generators\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Static site generators<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Media Platforms<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/onehourprofessor.com\/best-privacy-policy-generators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Privacy Policy Generators<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/napoleoncat.com\/blog\/social-media-management-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social Media Management Platforms<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.selectsoftwarereviews.com\/buyer-guide\/hr-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">HR Software<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hunter.io\/blog\/business-development-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Business Development Tools<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026among many others.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, these individual tools are mere toys compared to some of the complex project management platforms that are available these days.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, project managers can use <a href=\"https:\/\/nimbusweb.me\/blog\/6-best-project-management-software-with-client-portals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">project management software with client portal<\/a> that comes with comprehensive features, including task allocation, progress tracking, resource management, and integrated communication tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kickresume.com\/en\/help-center\/pearson-senior-project-manager-resume-sample\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experienced project manager<\/a> or a novice, you should be using reliable project management tracking software to help you find ways to increase efficiency, improve processes, and develop the right kind of experience you need by putting everything you\u2019ve learned into practice.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From basic tools to complete solutions, there are tons of tools to choose from. Simply note the features that you require and then select the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/project-management-tools-for-small-businesses\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">best project management software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to meet your needs so you don\u2019t have to keep switching from one app to another.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some of the features you\u2019ll find in comprehensive project management tools:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organize teams<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schedule priorities<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assign tasks quickly and accurately<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep track of work times<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage clients<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collaborate easily<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve team productivity<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oversee projects<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Integrate with other tools<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase reliability<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speed up project development<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintain full control of resources and finances<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor team activity<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Track project development<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep all of your files in one safe database<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Share documents<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access all data from anywhere<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Manage budgets, expenses, and invoices<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevent and eliminate risks<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create timesheet and budget reports<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detect bottlenecks and fix issues or errors<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re a \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">traditional<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d project manager or an \u201c<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accidental<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d project manager, once you have a working knowledge of project management tools and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/resourceguruapp.com\/blog\/resource-allocation-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">proper resource allocation<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you\u2019ll have the power to automate your work, assign tasks to groups of teams, easily <a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/gantt-chart-software\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">view projects in Gantt charts<\/a>, and oversee all of your project resources with full clarity from a single place.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Steps to Becoming a Successful Project Manager<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know why project management is so important <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">you understand what a project manager actually does &#8211; including the skills, knowledge, and experience required &#8211; you might be wondering how you can become a project manager yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, there\u2019s no set path to being a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some take the traditional route of getting certified while others become accidental PMs when they find themselves in a position where they have to manage projects at work as part of their daily work. For example, social media marketers managing a campaign or product managers coordinating a new launch.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is good news for anyone wanting to become a project manager as it means that there are lots of ways to get on that project management career ladder.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of the route you want to take, here\u2019s a quick summary of the steps to becoming a PM:&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #1: Understand What Skills You Already Have<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever planned, scheduled, led, budgeted, or documented a project\u2019s progress? If so, you\u2019ve done some important elements of project management, which means you may already have the experience necessary to apply for project manager positions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, your first step is to take the time to audit your skills to see where you stand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"904\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/project-management-circle.png\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/project-management-circle.png\" alt=\"project management circle\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-3688\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%27904%27%20height%3D%27600%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%20904%20600%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%27904%27%20height%3D%27600%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/project-management-circle-300x199.png 300w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/project-management-circle-768x510.png 768w, https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/project-management-circle.png 904w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 904px) 100vw, 904px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #2: Choose a Specialization<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A project manager can work for a variety of companies and in several different industries. Determining which field you want to work in can help you to decide the next steps you will need to take to become a project manager, so let this be your next step.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #3: Develop Project Management Skills<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You need to sharpen the technical and human skills that are necessary for successful project management.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the skills commonly requested in PM job descriptions include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/traditional-vs-agile-project-management-pros-cons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agile project management<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Risk management<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Budgeting<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/what-is-waterfall-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Waterfall project management<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Organization<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/scrum-principles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scrum<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, of course, there are the basics: Communication, Leadership, and Organization skills.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #4: Build Project Management Experience<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Try to build up project management experience by looking for opportunities in your current work. Whether you work in a hospital, tech company, retail store, or restaurant, odds are there are several things that need to be planned, executed, or improved. Join in these efforts whenever you can to help you develop project management experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #5: Consider a Project Management Credential<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overcome uncertainty, build confidence and create opportunities with PMI certifications to show employers that you have the professional expertise and practical knowledge to meet increasingly complex management demands.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step #6: Look for Entry-Level Positions<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can gradually work your way up the ladder as part of a team, but that isn\u2019t the only way to become a project manager.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A lot of project managers get their start by finding entry-level organizational positions to build key skills.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some titles to search for:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Project coordinator<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Associate project manager<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operations coordinator<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Junior project manager<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Administrative associate<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Operations associate<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are several paths to becoming a project manager. Whether you are beginning from scratch or if you have a few years of experience and want to solidify your skills, you must make sure that all your basics are covered.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can become a project manager by building skills and experience, earning a certification, or working your way up on a team. Use the information in this article to guide you in making the right choice for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This article is a guest contribution by our friend Ron Stefanski from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onehourprofessor.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">OneHourProfessor.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to a study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 97% of organizations [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":3689,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3676","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3676","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3676"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3676\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3689"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3676"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3676"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niftypm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3676"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}