What skills do you need to become a project manager?

Project management is a growing profession and changing fast. It has never been so important for project professionals to demonstrate their skills and for organisations to assess their capability. Project management skills are transferable. The tools and techniques of project management are universal and a good project manager should be able to add value in any environment.

A project manager should

• be effective at planning, monitoring and reviewing;
• be able to manage resources;
• be able to motivate and encourage others;
• be decisive and able to work well under pressure;
• be aware of who the project will affect and manage the effect it will have on them;
• command respect and trust;
• be able to resolve conflicts;
• be good at problem solving;
• have an understanding of health and safety;
• possess excellent communication skills both verbal and written;
• be able to co-ordinate work carried out by different people and organisations;
• be able to work as part of a team and on their own initiative;
• be able to control and monitor budgets;
• possess good IT skills.

It is also important to

• be interested in seeing a project through from start to finish
• enjoy taking responsibility
• be motivated by achieving set goals or targets.

The APM Competence Framework is a resource that reflects the complexity of the modern project management profession. It describes APM's new view of the competences necessary for effective project, programme, portfolio management and PMO in today's environment and in our view of the future needs of the profession. It allows professionals to measure their skills, knowledge and professional needs against specific roles and competencies. Now you can marry the skills you have to the skills you require.