One of the hardest jobs in the construction industry is project management. Every job that a project manager oversees has an outcome for which they are ultimately accountable, and they can only be successful by successfully coordinating and facilitating the success of their team members.
Project managers are the single unifying force that ensures all resources on a project are mobilized toward completing the project on time and within budget. They are the glue that holds a project together.
The most effective construction project managers consistently exhibit the intellect, attitude, and soft skills needed to succeed in this difficult industry. We highlight the top 15 qualities of a good project manager in this article of eduhubspot.
These are the project manager skills you want to foster and develop whether you’re looking to hire a project manager for your own construction company or are considering taking on a project management role yourself.
A competent project manager motivates the team
Subcontractors and other team members may experience delays and difficulties during lengthy construction projects. A project managers construction company depends on its project managers to come into the office and lead projects with vision and passion every single day, regardless of the circumstances on the job site.
Good project managers are motivating role models whose dedication to detail and work ethic spread to those around them. These top performers know how to set an example by arriving early, staying late, and demonstrating passion and vigor throughout the day.
Good project managers are also aware of how their attitude, behavior, and actions affect the project, the project team, and even their organization. A project manager knows when things are going well and everyone is content that it’s time to keep everyone on task by paying attention to the details that others might be overlooking.
Good project managers approach obstacles that arise with a relentlessly upbeat attitude to overcome them. Instead of letting unfavorable conditions or other people’s attitudes set the tone at work, good project managers set the tone themselves.
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An effective project manager communicates well
One of the most crucial responsibilities of a project manager is communication. Contractors, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, accounting, members of the design team, executives, and other project stakeholders must all be kept in the loop.
When a problem necessitates the input of numerous stakeholders, a good project manager works to maintain open lines of communication, bring people together, and recognize the importance of consistent and effective communication.
However, effective project management also entails making effective use of that communication to complete the task at hand. Good project managers are adept at leading fruitful meetings and fostering group consensus on important topics through facilitated discussions.
However, a skilled project manager understands how to balance moving the project forward to completion with preserving open lines of communication and constructive relationships within the team.
Good project managers keep every discussion focused on furthering the project’s objectives, whether by getting stakeholder consent for a necessary modification to the building plan or by laying out expectations for a contractor or subcontractor.
A competent project manager understands delegation
In the construction industry, where job tasks are so varied that a variety of professionals and tradespeople are needed to complete them all, delegation skills are crucial for project managers.
Effective task delegation is closely related to the comprehension of value delivery that all competent project managers possess. These managers are aware that the best way to contribute value to the project is by staying in their respective spheres of influence and letting others do the same.
Good project managers avoid becoming overly preoccupied with a particular project detail because doing so could divert their attention from the overall picture and make them overlook something crucial. With PMP bootcamps you can ensure to become a good project manager with excellent project management skills.
Effective project managers use delegation as a tool to increase their daily productivity while keeping their attention on the overall project’s performance of the timeline and budget constraints.
A good project manager is focused on the bottom line.
The best way to succeed within an organization is to align your own goals with the goals and objectives of the organization to which you belong, as was once said by a wise man.
It is impossible to say that a project manager is succeeding if they exhibit excellent soft skills but fail to produce measurable results. Effective project managers are aware that achieving success requires delivering results, and that abilities like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are tools they can use to do so.
A trustworthy project manager is sincere.
When we think about honesty among project managers, it’s not so much that the best project managers always tell the truth (although they do), but rather that they’re willing to express their honest opinion even when it doesn’t align with the opinions of others.
Giving bad news to a client or a superior manager is never enjoyable, but it demonstrates a project manager’s strength of character when they can explain why a delay occurred, what problems are affecting logistics, or why a particular aspect of the building plan is no longer viable and needs to be changed.
When problems are addressed and resolved quickly rather than allowing them to fester and cause additional delays, good project manager skills include saving time and adding value. They are comfortable having difficult conversations and confronting problems head-on.
A project manager is accountable
Every project manager needs to understand the concept of accountability because it can mean the difference between consistently finishing projects on time and struggling to meet project deadlines.
Effective project managers know how to hold others accountable for their contributions, work ethic, and attention to detail in addition to holding themselves and their actions and results accountable. As a result, a project culture is developed where excellence is expected, deadlines are respected, and work is frequently completed on schedule.
Setting expectations is the first step in holding the staff and team members accountable for their performance. The project schedule, which essentially outlines job and work expectations for every person involved in the project, is the most significant set of expectations that project managers use. A good project manager holds everyone accountable for completing their tasks on time, ensuring that the project is completed on schedule.
An effective problem-solver is a good project manager.
For the construction company to react to an unexpected situation and possibly prevent a delay, project managers are crucial. A good project manager knows how to allocate resources effectively to address a problem. Project managers can decide and carry out actions that coordinate numerous project assets toward a specific objective.
A strong team-builder is a good project manager.
Between a team player and a team builder, there is a significant difference. Team players know how to embrace and embody their roles to make the biggest possible contribution. They know how to work as part of a unit that works together towards a goal. Good project managers must be outstanding team players because that is how they first began to develop into amazing team builders.
An effective project manager gives others credit
If you enjoy sports, imagine what it would be like to watch the manager of your preferred team at the press conference following the game. The majority of the time, they deal with the media in a very formulaic manner.
If the team triumphed, the manager gives them full credit, compliments their effort, and extends congratulations. If the team loses, the manager assumes responsibility for the defeat, places the blame on his tactical planning, or, if he’s lucky, finds a scapegoat in the referee.
A competent project manager has knowledge
Whatever the case, project managers in the construction industry must develop their industry knowledge in addition to their business knowledge to succeed. The combined understanding of business and project objectives is one of the essential components of the project management role.
Lacking the technical knowledge necessary to resolve issues on their own, project managers who are unfamiliar with the field in which they work frequently depend on others for advice on how to proceed.
Good project managers have a broad perspective
Good project managers are aware of the need to position themselves in the middle of this complexity to see the big picture because construction projects are complex from start to finish. Consider a municipal work project to build a bridge. The bridge must meet construction requirements to be safe and functional, some deadlines must be met to keep other infrastructure projects on schedule, and there are also business requirements for the construction company, such as the need to meet quarterly revenue projections and make a profit.
A good project manager gains knowledge from their errors.
When good project managers are under pressure to perform, they may move quickly from one project to the next to maximize their organizational impact. The best project managers also take the time to assess their performance, think back on previous projects, and look for ways to grow from their mistakes.
An excellent project manager exhibits integrity
Numerous elements that are essential to the job of a project manager are covered by the idea of integrity. Integrity is synonymous with dependability; good project managers can be relied upon to keep their word and fulfill their commitments. This means that construction firms can rely on them to work according to the organization’s goals and concentrate on delivering results on time and within budget.
Additionally, it means that their coworkers can rely on them to honor commitments, meet deadlines, and conduct necessary follow-ups. Additionally, it means that project owners can rely on them to promptly communicate any information that is crucial to the project.
Good project managers remain composed under extreme pressure.
Construction project management can be a stressful field at times. You’re working on a big project for a big company, you’ve never done something quite like this before, and there are delays caused by site conditions, rain delays, supply chain delays, and labor shortages, and your to-do list never seems to get shorter.
A good project manager constantly gets better
There are only two types of mentalities in society: fixed mentalities and growth mentalities. People who have a fixed mindset think that they are simply who they are and that change is challenging or impossible. On the other hand, effective project managers always adopt a growth mindset.
They are aware of their imperfections, the fact that they will make mistakes, and the fact that things occasionally won’t go as planned. They also understand that they have the skills and merit to succeed and that they can improve upon their mistakes in the future. They have the mental fortitude to handle the stress and pressure of a job that requires results thanks to this understanding.
Conclusion
The difference between a project team that consistently produces results and one that struggles to do so is a good project manager. The most effective project managers have qualities that make them good leaders: they can build a team, encourage open communication, resolve issues, and hold people accountable.
To become the best ambassadors and representatives of the company, they also strive to see the bigger picture while concentrating on the bottom line. Effective project managers delegate tasks while establishing themselves as the project’s center of coordination and communication.
