Even if you are only vaguely familiar with the worlds of construction and engineering, chances are that you have heard about project managers. But what does a project manager do? Keep reading to discover the answer.
What Does a Project Manager Do?
Simply put, a project manager is in charge of ensuring that a project is brought to completion efficiently, on time, and within budget.
As you may remember from a previous post, a project is a one-time activity that has three defining elements: scope, schedule, and required resources. This is a wide definition that includes everything from creating a new smartphone to ensuring the success of a space mission.
What Are the Responsibilities of a Project Manager?
While every project is different, they all share a common characteristic: the need for good project management.
The main responsibilities of a project manager include the following, regardless of the type of project being implemented:
- Initiating
- Planning
- Organizing
- Executing
- Monitoring
- Controlling
- Closing
As you can see, a project manager is a key agent in ensuring that a project stays on track and hits the right milestones at the right points during the project cycle.
This is far from an easy job. In addition to a solid technical background, a project manager must also display sharp interpersonal skills to bridge differences between the various stakeholders involved in a given project.
Learn More About Project Management and Engineering Design
This discipline is an exciting field with myriad real-world applications. Below are some previous posts you can read to learn more about this fascinating topic.
- How is engineering design different from other types of design?
- A basic glossary of engineering design: part 1and part 2
- Engineering design for children: 5 useful benefits
- What is the engineering design process?
- The amazing history behind Roman bridges
- What is a Gantt chart?
Darnell Technical Services is an engineering design firm with extensive experience in a vast array of projects.
Our headquarters are located in Santa Ana, California, and we have an office in Las Vegas, Nevada. Contact us today by telephone (714-285-0082 (CA), 702-945-2899 (NV)) or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about all the technical instruments and materials we put at your disposal.
