The Complete Guide to a Project Management Career Path

What is Project Management and Why Should You Consider it as a Career?

A project is defined as a unique and temporary sequence of tasks. A project has an overall goal to achieve. It has a start and end date.

Project management is the process of planning, executing, and controlling projects. Projects are complex endeavours with many components that are interconnected in a way that makes them difficult to understand. Project managers have to understand the project from all angles and make sure it’s on track for success.

There are many different paths on the road to Project Management. There are many industry specific knowledge areas and many specialisations. Some industry expertise is transferable, while some are less so (construction vs. software)

Entry Level Project Management Jobs

Assistant Project Manager

The role of an Assistant Project Manager is a junior position and can vary per company and industry. Generally, an assistant project manager is responsible for assisting the Project Manager with all aspects of the project. This role is a chance to be mentored and gain experience from a Project Manager.

Responsibilities;

• Compiling status reports.

• Coordinating tasks.

• Gathering project data and statistics.

• Scheduling meetings and taking minutes.

• Keeping track of deadlines.

• Ensuring that all resources are up-to-date.

Project administrator

A project administration can be defined as the coordination and management of the resources and tasks needed to accomplish a specific project. 

Responsibilities;

• Assigning personnel with different skill-sets to work on various aspects of the project.

• Organise, delegate, and schedule project tasks.

• Monitoring project progress.

• Financial budgeting.

• Identifying potential issues & taking corrective action when necessary.

Project Facilitator

A Project Facilitator ensures the smooth running of a project. They do this by training, tool section and clearing roadblocks.

Responsibilities;

• Recommendation and selection of project tools.

• Training and guidelines in best practices use of project tools.

• Supporting team members.

• Scheduling meetings and taking minutes.

Scrum Master

A Scrum Master is a team member and facilitator who ensures that all team members adhere to the Agile Scrum process. They act as a servant leader. They may also make changes to the process to meet the team’s unique needs. Unlike a Project Manager they don’t focus on scheduling and rigid alignment with a project management methodology. They are typically found in the Software industry.

Responsibilities;

• Spread Scrum principles and practices.

• Ensure the team is on track.

• Host the daily Stand-Up meetings

• Coach and facilitate team members.

• Assist the Product Owner with the Product Backlog.

• Remove project roadblocks.

   

Project Coordinator

The goal of the Project Coordinator is to ensure that the project runs smoothly. They present reports and data to the Project Manager so informed decisions can be made.

Responsibilities;

• Compiling multiple reports including the status report.

• Delegate and coordinating tasks.

• Gathering project data and statistics, forecasting issues.

• Scheduling meetings and taking minutes.

• Develop, evaluate and execute project strategies.

• Updating the project schedule, keeping track of deadlines.

• Ensuring that all resources, artefacts & paperwork are up-to-date.

   

Project Scheduler

The Project Scheduler focuses on the project schedule/timeline/plan. Their primary responsibility is to develop a timeline of project tasks, establish deadlines for those tasks, and then monitor the progress towards meeting those deadlines.

Responsibilities:

• Create a project schedule.

• Construct the schedule from a bottom up and top down approach.

• Break the project into phases.

• Create a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).

• Determining interdependent tasks; Critical path (tasks), Critical chain (people).

• Sequencing tasks, adding buffers.

• Preparing progress reports.

Mid Level Project Management Jobs

Project Team Lead

Project Team Leads focus on the team members. They seeks out the best ways for the team to reach the project goal. They employ different strategies from training to conflict resolution to the definition of Roles & Responsibilities. They motivate the team and allow the team to focus on the project goal without distractions.

Responsibilities:

• Defining team roles and responsibilities (RACI / RASCI).

• Assigning responsibilities to team members.

• Organising team meetings.

• Organising individual 1:1s.

Project Lead

Just before the role of a Project Manager is a Project Lead. Their responsibilities are similar, but a Project Lead is typically found on smaller projects. A Project Lead is responsible for the overall success of a given project. They are tasked to ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met. Project leads can be appointed by an organization, or they can be self-appointed within self organised teams

Responsibilities;

• Develop the project plan, timeline, and milestones.

• Executing and controlling the schedule, budget, tasks and quality.

• External collaboration and communication with stakeholders.

• Internal team collaboration and communication with team members.

• Resourcing the team adequately.

• Defining team roles and responsibilities (RACI / RASCI).

• Organising meeting and ensuring projects artefacts are kept up to date.

• Identifying and managing risks, changes and defects.

Project Manager

A Project Manager is accountable and responsible for the overall success of a given project(s). They ensure that the project is completed on time, with the desired scope, and with the desired budget. They are tasked to ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met.

Responsibilities;

• Develop the project plan, timeline, and milestones.

• Executing and controlling the schedule, budget, tasks and quality.

• External collaboration and communication with stakeholders.

• Internal team collaboration and communication with team members.

• Resourcing the team adequately.

• Defining team roles and responsibilities (RACI / RASCI).

• Organising meeting and ensuring projects artefacts are kept up to date.

• Proactively identify and managing risks, changes and defects.

• Forecasting.

Mid Level Project Management specialisation Jobs

Risk Manager

A Risk Manager is responsible for the risk management of a project, program or even a business. This includes taking necessary steps to reduce the company’s exposure to risk and protect its assets. They typically monitor the various risks ranging from financial to environmental to security.

Responsibilities;

• Identify any risks that a project or organisation may face.

• Qualify and quantify risks.

• Determine the risk tolerance or risk appetite that is acceptable.

• Prepare action plans to mitigate, decrease, or avoid such risks.

• Organise and manage any insurance policies required.

• Organise and manage the risk management budget.

• Train the team to be aware of any risks, and avoid them where possible.

Resource Manager

A Resource Manager oversees the resources of the company. They oversee financial, human, and material resources. They maintain records of the skill-set of employees in order to make informed decisions for resource allocation. They fill gaps by hiring new employees or contractors.

Responsibilities;

• Monitor employee workloads, assignments and schedules.

• Forecast possible future assignments and schedules based on demand and skill-sets.

• Oversee training to ensure a well rounded list of skills are available.

• Apply HR processes.

   

Program Manager

Program managers or Programme Managers are responsible for planning and executing related projects within their organization. They develop project plans, assign tasks to team members, track progress and achieve goals accordingly. They are also responsible for the end-to-end management of the projects from start to finish. Program Managers typically oversee Project Leads or even Project Managers.

Responsibilities;

• Develop the the overarching program plan, timeline, and milestones.

• Executing and controlling the schedule, budget, tasks and quality.

• External collaboration and communication with stakeholders on the program success metrics.

• Internal team collaboration and communication with Project Managers and team members.

• Ensuring that the teams are resourced adequately.

• Defining team roles and responsibilities (RACI / RASCI)

• Chairing meetings.

• Proactively identify and managing risks, changes and defects.

• Forecasting.

Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Managers are responsible for planning and executing related programs and/or projects within their organisation. They develop program and project plans, track progress and achieve goals accordingly. They are also responsible for the end-to-end management of a portfolio of strategically related programs and projects. Portfolio Managers oversee Program Managers and Project Managers.

Responsibilities;

• Achieve the strategic business objectives by executing a project portfolio.

• Approve the overarching program and projects plans, timeline, and high level milestones.

• Execute and control the portfolio, budget, tasks and quality.

• External collaboration and communication with stakeholders on the portfolio program success metrics.

• Internal team collaboration and communication with Program Managers and Project Managers.

• Ensuring that the teams are resourced adequately.

• Chairing meetings.

• Proactively identify and managing risks, changes and quality.

• Program, project, financial and risk forecasting.

PMO Manager

The PMO Manager sits within the Project Management Office. As part of this they ensure consistency and best practices are adhered to in the selection, initiation, controlling and closing of projects. The PMO Manager does not run projects themselves. They standardise the communication of reporting, metrics and analysis across projects and ensure that these are provided to Senior Management.

Responsibilities;

• Standardise project artefacts and templates.

• Implement and oversee Best Practices within projects.

• Standardise Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and success criteria across projects.

• Standardise the adoption, implementation and usage of Project Management methodologies.

• Maintain a Project Management library.

• Organise and sometimes chair Steering Committee and Project Governance meetings.

Senior Level Project Management Jobs

Many alternative career paths open up when you have a solid foundation in Project Management. These can range from Senior Project Manager to Chief Operating Office to CEO or Start-up business owner. We will focus on just three roles that a Project Manager could potentially immediately progress to.

Senior Project Manager

A Senior Project Manager is accountable and responsible for the overall success of a given project(s). These projects can either be more complex than those assigned to a Project Manager or are multiple overlapping projects or both. The Senior Project Manager ensures that the project(s) is completed on time, with the desired scope, and with the desired budget. They are tasked to ensure that the goals and objectives of the projects are met.

Responsibilities;

• Develop the project plans, timeline, and milestones.

• Executing and controlling the schedule, budget, tasks and quality.

• External collaboration and communication with stakeholders

• Internal team collaboration, coaching and communication with team members.

• Ensuring strategic alignment to the organisations overall goals.

• Resourcing the team adequately.

• Defining team roles and responsibilities (RACI / RASCI)

• Organising meeting and ensuring projects artefacts are kept up to date

• Proactively forecasting, identifying and managing risks, changes and defects.

   

Director of Project Manager Office

A Director of the Project Management Office oversees the strategy and success of a Project Management practices within an organisation. They ensure strategic alignment of the company’s goal and mission through the implementation of appropriate practices and through the utilisation of skilled Project Managers. Project Manager will report into them either directly or indirectly. One or more PMO Managers may report to them.

Responsibilities;

• Selection and implementation of Project Management methodologies and frameworks.

• Implement and oversee Best Practices within projects.

• Maintain a Project Management Body of Knowledge.

• Standardise Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across projects.

• Standardise project artefacts and templates.

• Chair Steering Committee and Project Governance meetings.

Director of Program Management

A Director of Program Management oversees Portfolio, Program and Project Managers. They spearhead and balance initiatives to align with the company’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities;

• The competence and success of Portfolio Managers, Program Managers, Project Managers.

• Monitor manager workloads, assignments and schedules

• Assignment of managers to portfolios, programs and projects.

• Ensuring the adherence of policies, regulations and methodologies.

• Communicating with internal and external stakeholders

Conclusion

Project Management is a rewarding career. It provides autonomy and purpose. A project manager will become well-rounded and have a wide variety of skills. They will be able able to manage the team, keep track of the budget, and oversee timelines. They also will become excellent communicators, and be able to take calculated risks through decision making and forecasting. All of this will set them on a solid career path and provide them with skills that they can use in their daily life.