4 Core Principles New Project Managers Should Know Immediately
This article was written by one of our amazing contributors! Content may include promotional links.
Project managers bring a lot to the table. As an entrepreneur, you value the people who can organize and manage workloads effectively, and this is what a PM does daily. Still, like every recruit, they must get up to speed as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the transition process will reduce productivity and output.
The last thing you need is to miss an essential deadline because the project manager dropped the ball. However, it’s not all down to the employee – the employer has a significant role to play, too. You hire people, which means the person you pick must be ready to hit the ground running.
These are the four core principles that prove they are.
They’re Savvy Delegators
A project manager isn’t going to manage every aspect of a project within the first couple of weeks. If they do, they’re probably micromanagers who aren’t suitable for the role. The best PM doesn’t hoard power but delegates it to quality workers they can trust. Therefore, any applicant must showcase a fondness for independent work, as well as spotting talent. Once they have these attributes, they should be a lot smarter at delegating responsibility to ensure work is completed on time to a high standard.
They Understand RFP
Knowing that RFP stands for Request for Proposal isn’t the same as understanding the concept. In many ways, it’s more complicated than drafting an outline and a response to secure revenue streams for the company. Responding to RFP means deciding the following:
- Whether the project is a good fit
- They have successfully tackled similar projects in the past
- They know enough about the industry and the prospect’s needs and goals
- The issuer even in your target market
That’s without analyzing whether it’s worth responding in the first place. As a result, grilling a potential project manager on RFP is a vital part of the interview process.
They Know Big Problems Come In Small Packages
Prioritizing their workload, and the workload of their subordinates is an integral part of the job. The same goes for spotting the issues that could curtail the project and bring it to its knees. Unfortunately, some PMs aren’t great at realizing that big things come in small packages, such as employee morale. Whispers may not appear significant on the surface, yet they highlight discontent, and this can lead the team to separate and not share information. Superior PMs always rank a healthy work atmosphere highly and nip problems in the bud when they occur.
They Keep Meetings Short
Meetings take place regularly. This means project managers have multiple opportunities to bore workers. Once this happens, they’ll lose the office and won’t be able to get their message across. To facilitate meetings well, they should believe in keeping them short and sweet so that people’s concentration levels don’t drop. They should also:
- Use interactive materials
- Avoid handouts (a worksheet and presentation combo will divide attention)
- Have a goal to address
- Plan every meeting and avoid impromptu roll calls
Which skills and traits do you prioritize when hiring a project manager?