Try Your Hand As Project Manager

Brett Harned on how to prepare for your first turn as project manager

- Brett Harned

Whether it is something you accept or not, you are a project manager. Sure, you may identify as a designer, developer, content strategist or any of the many roles and titles there are in our industry but, as a human being, you are a project manager. Think about the most basic things you do in life and you can apply project management to them: making dinner, moving, attending a conference, even a night out with friends or a vacation. In all of those scenarios, you’re required to estimate, plan and communicate. And it’s not that hard.

Just because you have those innate PM skills, it doesn’t mean you’re excited – or even ready – to manage a project. And that’s fair! But sometimes you have to take on the role while also producing deliverables for a project and you might find it challenging. Fortunately, with a few simple strategies, you can keep your projects on track.

GET TO KNOW EVERYTHING

Knowing what you are up against is half the battle and if a project is dumped in your lap, you’ll have to make the time to become the project know-it-all. That means you must understand your project scope and goals, get to know your team and their individual skills and expertise, as well as the stakeholders you’ll need to please and guide through the project.