You might already be a project manager

Ever built a base in Minecraft? Planned the perfect attack with your squad? Designed something from scratch in Roblox? Or tried to keep an entire virtual household happy in The Sims?

Then you’ve already used some of the skills that project managers use every day.

Project management is about turning an idea into reality. You decide what you want to achieve, work out what you need, bring people together, deal with problems and keep going until you reach your goal.

And those skills can take you much further than your next game.

CTA: Discover project management

50 inspiring projects - FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 - Getty Images

⛏️ Minecraft: plan your build

You wouldn't start an ambitious build without thinking about what you're making and collecting the materials you need.

Projects work in much the same way.

You're practising:
Planning • Resource management • Problem-solving

Project manager thinking:
What are we trying to achieve, what will we need and what should we do first?

🚌 Fortnite: adapt when the plan changes

You might start with a strategy, but things rarely go exactly to plan. Your surroundings change. Resources are limited. Other players behave unexpectedly.

Projects change too.

Project managers identify risks, make decisions and help their teams adapt when something unexpected happens.

You're practising:
Risk management • Decision-making • Adaptability • Teamwork

Project manager thinking:
What's changed, what does it mean for our plan and what should we do next?

🏗️ Roblox: create something people want to use

Building your own Roblox experience means starting with an idea, designing it, testing it and improving it.

Real projects develop in much the same way. Feedback helps project teams learn what works, discover what doesn't and make something better.

You're practising:
Creativity • Testing • Feedback • Continuous improvement

Project manager thinking:
Who is this for, and how will we know whether we've got it right?

🏠 The Sims: keep everyone on board

Successful projects aren't only about tasks. They're about people.

Different people have different needs, priorities and expectations. Project managers spend a lot of time communicating, listening and helping people work towards the same goal.

You're practising:
People skills • Prioritisation • Time management

Project manager thinking:
Who does this affect and what do they need from us?

🧱 Tetris: prioritise under pressure

There isn't always one perfect solution.

When things start moving quickly, you have to assess what's happening, decide what needs your attention first and make the best use of the space you've got.

You're practising:
Prioritisation • Problem-solving • Working under pressure

This is particularly close to the reference article's analogy for Tetris, which describes making everything fit as an exercise in resource management.

Project manager thinking:
What's most important right now?

Where could project management take you?

At school

Your first project doesn't need a huge budget or a job title.

Organising a school event, completing a group assignment, putting on a performance, building something in Design & Technology or even arranging a gaming tournament all involve project skills.

Try it: Next time you're given a group task, write down your goal, deadline, jobs and who's responsible for each one.

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At college or university

Start applying those skills to bigger challenges.

Join a society, organise an event, lead a group assignment, volunteer or take part in a real project.

APM's student Project Management Challenge - Deck for students describes teams of three to six students conceptualising, planning and delivering a project from start to finish, supported by mentors and APM volunteers.

CTA: Discover opportunities for students