The Project Manager (PM) has arguably the most critical and challenging role in all projects. Yet many enterprises appoint PMs without providing much guidance or training. Info-Tech has identified several key actions a PM must take to achieve success. These actions will not guarantee a win, but without them, the PM will need exceptional luck to reach project victory.

While many PM skills and techniques are applicable to any project, consider the challenges faced by Max, a first time PM assigned the responsibility for implementing the company’s first IP-PBX system in a new branch office. The project, like most in infrastructure and data center situations, has a very clear objective and end point. And unlike most application projects, it is not subject to wide debate about requirements, and the resulting scope creep.

The Successful PM: Passionate About Delivering

Leadership, innovation, perception, effective communication, and agility are the characteristics of a good PM. Not every PM possesses these characteristics in abundance. Nevertheless, a PM will employ more of these qualities when he or she is really committed to successful delivery of the project objectives. Consider how people in a crisis increase their energy and innovation when they really care about the outcome.

Project participants will not consider their work on a project to be important if they see no drive or enthusiasm from the PM. They will put their energy into other activities. It is essential that the PM be passionate about a project. A PM, therefore, should ask this question before taking on a new project: “Do I really care about the project outcome?” If the answer is no, the PM-designate must identify elements of the project that will really motivate the individual. These could be achieving specific business improvements, expanding personal skills, or increasing personal career opportunities.