The project manager is the person assigned by the performing organization to lead the team that is responsible for achieving the project objectives. The role of a project manager is distinct from a functional manager or operations manager.

Typically the functional manager is focused on providing management oversight for a functional or a business unit, and operations managers are responsible for ensuring that business operations are efficient.

Depending on the organizational structure, a project manager may report to a functional manager and to program or portfolio manager who is ultimately responsible for enterprise-wide projects.

In this type of structure, the project manager works closely with the program or portfolio manager to achieve the project objectives.

In general, project managers have the responsibility to satisfy the needs: task needs, team needs, and individual needs. As project management is a critical strategic discipline, the project manager becomes the link between the strategy and the team.

Effective project management requires that the project manager possess the following competencies:

-Knowledge :Refers to what the project manager knows about project management.

-Performance : Refers to what the project manager is able to do or accomplish while applying his or her project management knowledge.

-Personal : Refers to how the project manager behaves when performing the project or related activity.

Personal effectiveness encompasses attitudes, core personality characteristics, and leadership, which provides the ability to guide the project team while achieving project objectives and balancing the project constraints.

5 Traits of a Great Project Manager

Every organization invariably has some great- and some not so great-project managers.

The great project managers will be in high demand as long as organizations have problems to solve;So what are the differentiating factors that cause some PMs to rise to the top of their field-and how can you be sure you’re one of them?

Based on the experience of great project managers , the best of them share the following five key characteristics:

· -Drivers

· -Organized

· -Consistent

· -Challengers

· -Learners

So let’s look at each of these characteristics:

Drivers:

Far and away, the differentiating characteristic of a great project manage is drive. It doesn’t mean being driven in your career or having a type “A” personality, rather, having a simple focus on driving the project forward.

The job of a project Manager is to preempt the issues no one else can see, to look into the future and steer the ship, to make everything possible is done to deliver a successful project.

A great project manager will chase people down and make sure things get done.

The Best project managers are impatient with themselves and others. They report bad news quickly and don’t let it fester.

Organized:

The best PMs are also the most organized.They maintain the best data on their projects and have the most complete notes.They seem to know more about the project than anyone else involved and can vary quickly pull up information as needed.

There is no mystery here. They do this because they are organized.

When the information related to your project is documented and organized, you will not spend much time chasing people when it was needed.

Consistent:

The best project managers are consistent ,even when no one else around them is. They think through their communications and make sure everyone regularly receives the information they need. You can depend on a consistent project manager. They are prepared with answers to questions. The team also works harder for a consistent PM because they know they will be “called on to the carpet” if they are not prepared.

Challengers:

The best project managers question challenge those around them to do great work. They do not agree to deadlines or other directives without first questioning assumptions and authority when necessary. They ask great questions and find ways to elicit the information they need. Asking questions such as, “Have you thought about…?”

LEARNERS

The very best project managers are always learning. Each new and interesting mistake is seen as an opportunity to learn - and to inspire others by communicating those lessons. Learners incorporate new techniques to make their job easier and projects more successful. They search for knowledge and find it all over the place. They realize that they can only get better and, surprisingly, are usually the most humble PMs in an organization. They are not only a sponge for information - they also share their knowledge with others, admit their mistakes and, as a result, gain the loyalty of others.