Project management is a crucial career that ensures the success of projects in a variety of industries and fields. Tasks such as planning, budgeting, overseeing staff, and ensuring that projects run smoothly will all fall under your job description.
If you are considering a career in project management, it is wise to consider what opportunities you will be presented with in the future. What does it take to work in project management? What does a project management career entail? And what other career pathways are available?
As a project manager, there is a strong chance you will be required to balance multiple projects at any one time. Developing flexibility in your competencies and with your time is crucial to succeed in this situation. At the beginning of a project, you’ll identify any risks that could become an issue later on. From there, you will be able to create a flexible strategy that will prepare for the worst (but hopefully won’t be needed).
You’ll allocate time and funding to ensure your jobs run smoothly. If you don’t allow enough of either resource, you will have to do damage control. This can cause problems for your projects and may disappoint employers or project stakeholders. In contrast, if you allocate too much time or money to one project, you run the risk of taking resources from a project that may need it more, effectively creating unnecessary wastage.
Having a strong and flexible mindset will allow you to consistently manage the workloads of employees and resources allocated to the project. Evaluating projects as a whole and scheduling peaks and troughs so that they are well-spaced will mean you don’t have all your projects coming to a head at one time, creating less stress and easier management.
Flexibility and balance are easily the most necessary skills to develop in project management. With these skills, you will be able to make informed and fast decisions, smart budgeting choices, and the best conditions for your staff.
Building and construction is an industry that depends heavily on project management. Like any industry, building and construction project management requires the ability to plan, organise, problem-solve, manage priorities, and use initiative. Your ability to work in a team and have open communication will be crucial to your success. Construction project managers can expect to work in a variety of fields like commercial, residential, industrial and heavy civil.
Some of the tasks you’ll need to manage will include:
If you want to enter this field, online learning offers the perfect pathway. If you’ve been in the building and construction industry and understand the practices and protocols, completing a project management course will demonstrate that you’ve gone to great lengths toward achieving this new goal. Employers will be impressed by the steps that you have taken.
The overarching goal for a construction project manager is to remain closely connected to the technical and personal elements of a project. Whether it is communicating with stakeholders, contractors, community, or managing the budget and execution, you need to be aware of every aspect and maintain an extreme level of organisation. Ultimately, your goal is the complete satisfaction of your client’s needs and wishes for their project, whether from a functional or a logistical point of view.
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Another opportunity that exists for project managers exists in the field of quality auditing. The role of a quality auditor is structured to determine if a job is complying with policies, procedures, and processes of the organisation or project.
Why will a company seek to employ a quality auditor?
The purpose of an auditor, in this situation, is to correct any deficiencies in a project that would compromise quality or safety. These audits can be conducted randomly, on a schedule and by an internal or external auditor. With so much at stake, for both the auditor and the party being audited, certain behaviours will uphold the level of professionalism you need to be successful in your career.
If you have made a successful career in project management but are looking for a change, quality auditing could be a good option for you. The best way to achieve this would be to undertake a quality auditing course online.
No matter the business or industry, high-quality project management will always be essential to their longevity. The success of projects ultimately rests on the quality of its leaders and their ability to balance projects and priorities effectively. Such positions are always valuable and ensure a relatively positive outlook for project management remaining a prosperous career in the future.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States estimates that worldwide, management occupations will grow at a rate of 6% by 2024. If this is a correct estimation, there could be as many as 505,000 new jobs in the field by the estimated date. Worldwide, projected job change is driven by the continued establishment of new businesses and organisations, as well as the expansion of existing ones. The more expansion continues, the greater the need for managers and supervisors. This effectively creates a higher volume need for project managers in the workforce.
The average salary for a project manager in the construction industry in Australia is $97,887. Factors that could impact are location, experience, and the company. An entry-level project manager with less than one year’s experience can anticipate an average of $66,000. One to four years in the industry can expect you to see an average total compensation of AU$79,231.
Strong leadership skills are the hallmark of any great project manager. Honed over time and by necessity, your leadership abilities can increase your career trajectory when coupled with the right qualification. A seasoned project manager might consider the idea of doing an MBA to further their career potential. However, the smart move is undertaking a Diploma of Leadership and Management (BSB50420) to achieve the same result for less time and money. A double diploma that includes logistics management will open up opportunities for CEO, COP and COO leadership positions in Australia and overseas.
Project management can be a lucrative and fulfilling career when handled with foresight and commitment. Whether you are just starting your career, or have been in the industry for a while, there is always more to learn and experience.
Key positions in building and construction, quality auditing or a company leadership role are all great examples of how to be successful in the many industries that require outstanding project management know-how. Online learning is the best way to expand your knowledge and successfully take advantage of future opportunities in project management.
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