Communication Skills in Project Management

Written by | Published August 10, 2012

Communication Skills in Project ManagementTraining in project management techniques such as PRINCE2 will give you the theory of how to structure and run a project. We’ll also give you case studies and real-world applications of the knowledge to make it easier to start managing projects when you return to work. Understanding the importance of  other skills such as communication is also critical to project success.

Within any project management framework, there are important documents to be drawn up, referred to and maintained. This requires excellent written communication skills as well as knowledge of the paperwork required. Verbal communication skills are necessary in order to keep your team updated and motivated, to explain the project to stakeholders, and to provide the Project Board with progress reports.

With that in mind, here are our top tips for communication in project management.

Listen

When most people think of effective communication, they think of how they deliver information to others. This is far from accurate – communication is a two-way street and improving your skills must begin with making an effort to truly listen and understand. Read the rest of “Communication Skills in Project Management”

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What is a Project? Defining Projects and Project Managers

Written by | Published April 26, 2012

The professional role of project managers is becoming increasingly defined, and higher demands are being put on project managers within organisations. There is now expectation that project managers will have undertaken specific project management training.

Our PRINCE2 Foundation Training and PRINCE2 Practitioner Training are accredited, and our small training groups mean an excellent learning environment.

With this increased professionalism amongst project managers comes upset when the term is misused. The Apprentice is one such example.

Over the last few years, team leaders on the Apprentice have gradually started calling themselves Project Managers, and this is now consistent throughout the series. Trained and certified project managers object to the term, citing that the Apprentice undervalues the profession because the candidates don’t use any defined project management framework or techniques.

Further to this, there is some debate about whether the weekly tasks can even be called projects due to their short and sales-based nature.

Planning A Project

Planning A Project

Defining a project

It’s very important for managers to recognise a project before it starts, and to assign a project manager to oversee it. Conversely, it’s important not to make a mountain out of a molehill by assigning the word ‘project’ to everyday, ongoing tasks.

Type “what is a project?” into Google and you get the definition “An individual or collaborative enterprise planned and designed to achieve an aim.” If you look at it in those terms then, yes, the weekly tasks on the Apprentice can be called projects. They are collaborative enterprises and they do have to achieve an aim – to make the more money than the other team.

In the business sense of a project, though, the case is less clear. Wikipedia’s definition of a project in relation to project management is “a management environment that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products according to a specified business case”. On The Apprentice, the projects are so hurried and seemingly, slapdash, that no real management environment is created. Read the rest of “What is a Project? Defining Projects and Project Managers”

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Making Business Decisions on a Gut Feeling

Written by | Published March 8, 2012

Are you a successful business leader? One of the biggest mistakes within many organisations is allowing senior managers to base business decisions purely on ‘gut feel’. The worst offenders commence and then stop projects on a whim, with no sound business reasoning behind the decision. They are time-wasters and inefficient. Not the sort of person you want work with, or for.

Don’t get me wrong – gut feelings are not all bad, as long as they can be supported with good quality market data. Visionaries including, in my opinion Steve Jobs, are often inspired to pursue ideas based on gut feeling, but the next step is to collect and analyse market and financial data, not to start the project!

Essential, Not Just a Bonus

So what’s the answer to employing quality decision-makers? It’s not rocket science, it’s ensuring they have good project management skills. These are some of the most sought after skills in the global job market today. PRINCE2 is the industry standard project management qualification which employers look for when hiring and promoting staff.

Our PRINCE2 Training courses have impressive pass rates thanks to our excellent trainers, guaranteed small class sizes and comprehensive pre-course material all covered in the price. We run both PRINCE2 Practitioner Training and PRINCE2 Foundation Training in Brighton but can also come to your premises to train if that is favourable.

project-management-decisions

Project management qualifications are not just a ‘nice to have’, they are essential in today’s competitive market place. And effective project management is required at all levels, from new graduate recruits to long-standing executive managers. It’s what makes the difference between the winners and the losers.

It’s Your Responsibility

Efficiencies and the profitability of a company is dependent on having these
skills at the top of an organisation. High- level managers who don’t understand or under-value the importance of following consistent and effective processes to meet business goals are failing to meet their management responsibilities.

However, it is not necessary for every manager within an organisation to possess project management skills, but everyone should have a basic understanding, and be willing act on senior project managers’ recommendations. Read the rest of “Making Business Decisions on a Gut Feeling”

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