What does a project manager do?
The project manager is responsible for day-to-day management of the project and must be competent in managing the six aspects of a project, i.e. scope, schedule, finance, risk, quality and resources. Project managers work on specific projects that have definite outcomes, have time limits and have to stay within a budget.
These tasks typically include:
- planning what work needs to be done, when and who’s going to do it;
- looking at the risks involved in a particular project and managing these risks;
- making sure the work is done to the right standard;
- motivating the team of people involved in the project;
- co-ordinating work done by different people;
- making sure the project is running on time and to budget;
- dealing with changes to the project as and when necessary;
- making sure the project delivers the expected outcomes and benefits;
What is project management?
What can projects deliver?
Why choose project management?
A career as a project manager can be exciting, varied, fulfilling, and productive. There are great career prospects for project managers.
How to become a project manager
There are many routes to becoming a project manager, from gaining a qualification, to working your way up on the job.
Stay in touch
Whether you have a question around qualifications or courses, some advice based on your personal insights, or wish to tell us your project success story, we'd love to hear from you.
A day in the life of a project manager
Spencer is a project manager in the engineering/construction sector.
"I’ve been a project manager for nearly 10 years, and started the role a little further into my working life than others (I was previously a people manager).
I remember when I first had the idea of a career change. I got together with some old friends to organise and reform my old rugby team. Turns out I needed a lot of planning and organisation skills to make this happen. It made me think: I’m good at this, and I enjoy it; could it become my career?"