1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 SYNOPSIS

The project manager has traditionally been associated with the role of ensuring that the goals and objectives of the project are achieved with ease, thus enhance profitability and cost control  in their operations. The style of leadership project manager have applied in their day to day operations is important as there is a wide range of skills that project managers need, to be able to make efficient administration. Excellence in the field of project management is thus needed in ensuring that development takes place within the organization, and in line with the objectives of the project. In this case, 75% of the most successful projects have been attributed to the project managers being aware and informed of the expectations.  (Hobbs, 2009)

Analysis on the best performing companies has revealed this deep attachment between the levels of understanding on the fundamental principles that guide the way the project manager should conduct themselves. The paper will therefore seek to bridge the gap that exists between the level of understanding that is expected and the level that is currently within the field. (Laufer, 2012) The following will be the main keywords and search terms in use in the paper:  Project Manager Skills; Project Managers Certifications; Project Manager Qualifications; Project Managers Duties; Project Manager Roles; Types of Project Manager; Emerging Project Management Issues. There are a number of beneficiaries who will benefit from the paper which includes the project management team, scholars and academicians, the project clients and lastly the government that will be able to have their critical policies o project management issues developed with ease.  (Highsmith, 2009 & Hobbs, 2009)

1.2 NATURE AND PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

The purpose of the study will be to determine the required level of understanding on the project management issues by the project managers. The study will put more focus on analyzing the concepts, principles and theories in which the whole ideologies of project management have been built and brought up.

1.3 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

The objective that guided the study and research includes:

1. To identify the impact of an understanding of the duties and roles of a project manager on the project work.
2. To identify the different types of project managers in several industries and the level in which they are presented in the operation within the market.

• To identify the education and certification networks and the level of importance in pursuing career a project manager.

1. To investigate on the emerging trends and issue within the field of a project manager across the global market.

1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

The focus of the study on the importance of the understanding of the project management has been motivated by two major factors.  The first is the sheer size of the financial impact that comes up out of the roles and the responsibility of the project manager. There is also need to increase the potential for improved performance being achieved even as better strategies are being instituted by the project manager having more skills and knowledge in handling the issue that occurs within the project.

2.0 SEARCH STRATEGY

2.1 RESEARCH DESIGN

The study was conducted through an evaluation of reports of case studies in six journals previously researched.  This method was appropriate in getting an understanding on the project management issues, thus being  able to have to have an in-depth contextual analysis on the views, feelings and opinions of scholars on the input of a project manager in the project. (Hobbs, 2009) The study sought to use the secondary sources such as Google books in understanding the core objective that the paper sought to achieve on other elements mentioned in the paper.  (Roberts, 2011)This, therefore, has led to the study utilizing the qualitative data in developing the final report.

2.2 DATA COLLECTION AND INSTRUMENTATION

A significant part of the data will be obtained from the secondary sources. Journal articles have formed the biggest source; thus, the understanding of the components in project management made possible. An examination of the empirical literature will aid the research towards clarity in the possible performance of the stipulated objectives. (Highsmith, 2009) The following will be the main keywords and search terms in use in the paper:  Project Manager Skills; Project Managers Certifications; Project Manager Qualifications; Project Managers Duties; Project Manager Roles; Types of Project Manager; Emerging Project Management Issues.  The reasons for the choice of the terms have been noted to be their being narrow yet significant knowledge and information are acquired.  (Hobbs, 2009)

2.3 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Empirical data will be sourced and collected from online database and scholarly e-libraries on the subject used within the study.  Choice of the search engines has been guided by the reliability and verifiability of the information obtained in past research. An analysis of the past, current and emerging issues on project management have been made, and a summarized copy of the thoughts presented by the researchers and scholars put forward. Careful assessment of the journals thoughts has made the paper have full understanding and an overview on project management that can guide any person who desires to be a project manager. (Roberts, 2011)

3.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Businesses across the world and organizations have been looking forward to ways in which they can utilize the aspect of project management in the course of their new project implementations.  (Hobbs, 2009)This has been seconded by the fact that every organization seeks to have its project enjoy success out of the role that the project manager will play. Scholars across the globe have, therefore, suggested the deep reasoning and purpose of having the knowledge of project management.  (Roberts, 2011) This has, therefore, brought out the project manager as an individual that is tasked with the duty of successfully attaining the stipulated objectives within the project. His responsibility has been analyzed to be falling along planning, management, coordination and financial control of the stipulated project.  (Roberts, 2011) The project manager is required to be careful in enhancing optimal resource utilization.  (Roberts, 2011)This has been seen to be achievable through the aspect of having an adherence to a strict timeframe and a budget that is consistent with the activities to be carried out in the project.  Keegan et al. have noted that there is  a need to communicate the skills, qualification and certification that will be necessary for making the project manager capable of having all the activities within the project. (Keegan, Huemann, & Turner, 2012, Pg 3086) This section will therefore seek to bring out a review of the literature about a project manager.

3.2 TYPES OF PROJECT MANAGER

Kelly et al. starts by making a remark that there is a need for customer specifications being addressed even as project management is evolving  so that they are able to provide a guarantees f satisfaction on the project outcome. (Kelly, Edkins, Smyth., & Konstantinou, 2013, Pg 659) Krane et al. has a similar thought with his idea that careful delegation will be an important aspect that the HR department will need to pay attention as they appoint project managers in line with their expertise.  (Krane, Olsson, & Rolstadås, 2012, Pg 58).

In an attempt of setting the HRM practices in order, Keagan et all had the following being the main types of project managers identified from the various projects across the states that they researched on.  To start with, Keagan et all pointed out that the a construction manager oversees the construction projects relating to the construction of buildings and structures. The architectural project manager enhances the coordination of the design team together with maintenance of clear communication channels with the firm and the clients to enhance operational efficiency and transparency. Architect project manager oversees over the budgetary, scheduling and quality control duties relating to the project. The insurance claims project manager oversees the management and restoration of client’s property in the event of a catastrophe. The engineering project manager oversees the product development through several stages, including the research and design, manufacturing to the overall production of the product. On the other hand, software project manager oversees activities relating to the software development within the organization.  (Keegan, Huemann, & Turner, 2012)

Thomas & Mengel have pointed out the need the essential part of the knowledge being the tasks management and proper scheduling of activities. Its out of this that the paper derives the other importance being drawn by the market where skilled and accredited practitioners will be able to understand the specific requirements in each area thus be able to  offer better results in future, as project managers.  (Thomas & Mengel, 2008)

3.3 CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING

In the work done by a marketing research company, Piel and Helene have asserted that its important for the project manager be equipped in handling their tasks especially where quality control is needed. Training has been noted to be one of the ways in which this individual will be able to acquire this. The Project Management Professional (PMP),  Portfolio Management Professional  (PfMP), Agile Certified Practitioners, PMI, Certified Associate in Project Management (CaPM), Scheduling Profession ( PMI-RMP) and Program Management Professional ( PgMP) forms but just some of the courses that enable the project manager be equipped fully. Some of these certifications have been noted to be important in enabling the individual be agile in meeting the objectives as well as sticking to strict timetables. This on the long run will enable the organization meets long term objectives as the global market for the project manager will be addressed in the best way.  (Pielmeler, 2013  & Thomas & Mengel, 2008)

3.4 SKILLS OF A MANAGER

Hahn et al., have noted with concern the need to have successful project manager. To achieve this, there are a number of skills ranging from organizational, analytic, numerical, commercial awareness, teamwork, diplomacy, motivation as well as management skills (Hahn, Bredillet, Gyeung-Min, & Taloc, 2012 Pg 34). Krane et al. notes that these skills have been set up in enabling the project manager in a position of achieving the goals in a project in the best way. The skills have also been developed in enabling the leadership element in the project by the project manager takes place.  (Krane, Olsson, & Rolstadås, 2012, Pg 58)

It has also been analyzed by Laufer, that this equips the project manager to be in a position of planning work and building effective project teams. In the long run, it’s argued that the project manager will be able to make a decision on the project in any of the stages of the project life cycle. The skills are also necessary in making the project manager have the capabilities to manage project data such as contracts and agreements and to handle the documentation. This, therefore, brings the importance of this vital facet in the work of the project manager. (Laufer, 2012)

3.5 DUTIES AND ROLES OF MANAGER

There is a need for a manager to be able to understand the roles and responsibilities that cover the duties and roles of the project manager at all times. Kelly et al., asserts that this include the aspect of him the supreme head in a project that makes him to be able to handle the role of being an integrator and thus enhance control of all the activities to be undertaken.  (Kelly, Edkins, Smyth., & Konstantinou, 2013, Pg 659)On the other end, Thomas and Mengel, notes that the project manager must at this level be able to communicate the objectives and the goals of the project to ensure that the project can be able to achieve the expected results. This is in addition to what Laufer points of the manager as an important factor in the design of the team with the core responsibility being in the authorization and management of issues like payment and contracting. (Laufer, 2012) This also makes it possible for the sales team to be defined to enable issues like tendering can be handled in the best way to enable customer satisfaction.. In the end, it has been noting that the project manager is also valuable in drafting the contacts and offering advice in the finance plans, partnership agreements as well as legal issues to be handled in the course of the project.  (Laufer, 2012)

3.6 EMERGING ISSUES AND TRENDS IN THE FIELD OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT

There are a number of emerging issues and trends in the project management work. These trends are important in enabling the growth of the professional, as well as improved performance of all the individuals trusted in the management of this project. There has notably been an immense need to have the field project manager constantly improving to be able to have all the core functions are rapidly evolving as technology changes.  (Hahn, Bredillet, Gyeung-Min, & Taloc, 2012 Pg 35) In the first place, it has been proved that there is need for the project manager equip themselves, in a way, that they will make this field a profit center rather than just a budget expense item. This has been thought to be efficient in bringing internal efficiency as well as allowing the constraints in projects is dealt with in the most optimum way.  (Pielmeler, 2013) Emphasis of the project management has also been laid on the soft skills like leadership and communication in an attempt to enable high quality of team work. This has, therefore, been noted to be realizable once the project manager can have expectations set in the best way. Another key trend has been an aspect of there being many courses on project management. This has in the end led to a new mindset being birthed; that of project entrepreneurship rather than just meeting all the clients demand. This has made the project manager take an excellent analysis on the risks they are predisposed to and come up with the necessary methods of using their resources. (Keegan, Huemann, & Turner, 2012)

4.0 CONCLUSION

The study has gathered that project manager must be able to gain full understanding of the issues that are within their work. Careful analysis on the different case studies presented in the sources has shown it being necessary that a knowledge set capable of   influencing the growth of this profession be drafted and always implemented. This paper sought to bring out the concepts, principles and theories in which the whole ideologies of project management have been built and brought up. This has led to an insightful analysis that has enabled the paper on understand on the various types of the project manager available in the industry. This has been important in underlining the critical and importance role project manager have in coordination and heading the project.  Synthesize of the certifications and training required has been noted to be relevant in improving efficiency and effectiveness across all the roles that the project manager will be playing. The skills noted by the various scholars in the different studies have been noted to be important in the management of project conflicts, budgetary control and performance of identified objectives.  (Hobbs, 2009)

The study has deduced that it’s  also very important for the global market to be aware of all the trending issues across the line of project manager to enable them be able to increase implement proper human resource practice that will guide the recruitment of team members in a project. This can be underscored with a clarification of the operational scope of the project manager within an organization seeks to have project stick out of conditioning along the budgets to being profitable ventures.  In conclusion, there is a need for more research on the wider aspects of project management aside an analysis purely centered on a project manager. This will enable the project to experience far reaching impacts and results all within its lifecycle.  (Roberts, 2011)

REFERENCES

Hahn, I., Bredillet, C., Gyeung-Min, K., & Taloc, M. (2012). Agility of project management in global IS project. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 53 (2), 31-38.

Highsmith, J. (2009). Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products. London: Pearson Education.

Hobbs, P. (2009). Project Management. Chicago: Dorling Kindersley Limited.

Keegan, A., Huemann, M., & Turner, J. (2012). Beyond the line: exploring the HRM responsibilities of line managers, project managers and the HRM department in four project-oriented companies in the Netherlands, Austria, the UK and the USA. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 23 (15), 3085-3104.

Kelly, N., Edkins, A., Smyth., H., & Konstantinou, E. (2013). Reinventing the role of the project manager in mobilizing knowledge in construction. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 6 (4), 654-673.

Krane, H., Olsson, N., & Rolstadås, A. (2012). How Project Manager-Project Owner Interaction Can Work Within and Influence Project Risk Management. Project Management Journal, 43 (2), 54-67.

Laufer, A. (2012). Mastering the Leadership Role in Project Management: Practices that Deliver Remarkable Results. New York: FT Press.

Pielmeler, H. (2013). Conquering the project manager training challenge. Multilingual, 24 (8), 31-36.

Roberts, P. (2011). Effective Project Management: Identify and Manage Risks Plan and Budget Keep Projects Under Control. Chicago: Kogan Page Publishers.

Thomas, J., & Mengel, T. (2008). Preparing project managers to deal with complexity–Advanced project management education. International Journal of Project Management, 26 (3), 304-315.

 
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