5 Ways To Become A Value Added Project Manager

As understood while preparing for a Project Management Certification - for the project team, the project customer/sponsor, and senior management, there are five essential ways that the project manager may demonstrate definite value to the project.

1.     Stay out of the way. 

This one is easy to understand. Stay out of the way means doing just what is necessary to keep the project going ahead successfully. This should not be done on a regular basis. However, there are certain clients – and I've met a number of them – who don't think a high-priced project manager directing the engagement adds much value. When you have one of these customers, you must do everything you can to demonstrate value while keeping the project costs as low as feasible. When you can send simply one developer on site, don't travel. Every week, keep track of how many hours you charge to the project. Avoid having too many meetings. Keeping costs low is a must...period.

2.     Add technical oversight and effort where needed. 

If you're the project manager and have some technical abilities, utilise them to fill in the gaps wherever feasible. I was onsite with my team at a big airline customer for a software install, and because our team was tiny and our time was limited, I found myself executing data loads in between meetings. We were able to reach our deployment date thanks to it.

3.     Gain visibility for the project. 

Assume the role of your project's ambassador. Do you want to make the consumer feel more valuable? Encourage high management to participate in your project. As learned while preparing for a Project Management Institute certification - a future project status meeting attended by the CEO or another high-ranking member of your organisation will demonstrate to the client that the project is essential to your firm and that they are an important customer who is being taken seriously. If you've lately had any troubles that have resulted in consumer dissatisfaction, this can help you resolve the matter.

4.     Provide detailed budget management. 

Close budget management should be obvious, yet far too many project managers fail to do so. It's your client's money, and if you make it a priority to closely watch, reforecast, and report on it during the project, you'll ensure that your project doesn't slip too far off course financially without anybody knowing. If your client is included in the reporting process, they will see the value in that supervision and will feel much more comfortable with the project and how their money is being spent on project resources.

5.     Track risks carefully. 

This is another logical topic that is frequently neglected. Some hazards are typically discovered ahead of time and then put aside as if the procedure is complete. Instead of taking that risky option, include a risk management component in the weekly project status report. The possibility of anything unexpected bringing the project to a halt is substantially reduced if risks are continually in front of the team and the client, and even better – actually allocated to team members to keep watch of.

Want to learn more ways to become a value-added project manager? Take on professional certification courses such as PMP, CAPM, PfMP, Scrum Master Certification course etc. today!