NAME: NORMARLINI ROSLAN

ID: 2015673082

DISCUSSION 3

Explain any four (4) important skills need to possess by the project manager.

Steyn (2008) indicates that the project manager is the bonding medium holding the project
together. The success or failure of a project is influenced by the project manager’s
appointment and some of the important skills need to possess by the project manager are;

1.Project management Process Skills

As project manager manage to encounter people who do not understand finer point of the
project management and project manager usually influence rather than authority to get
things done. Project manager take time to educate about project management whenever
there is knowledge gap. Project manager extremely knowledge able about project
management tools, techniques and process technology and be able to apply them.
For example, project manager should know how to prepare a comprehensive customer
requirements document, construct a network diagram, and construct a work breakdown
structure. Without these skills, it very difficult to coordinate and facilitate the creation of a
high-quality project plan and to maintain control during project execution. Technical skills are
the specialised practical and manipulative techniques essential to the profession (Hargie,
2007) and especially in the planning and implementation stages of a project (Odusami,
2002)

2. Interpersonal and Behavioural Skills

Since managing projects is all about getting things done through other people, project
manager skills in dealing with people are of immeasurable value. Closely tied to
interpersonal skills, behavioural skills: project manager personal conduct, style, and
approach. Together, these two skill sets are often called the “soft skills.” Here are some
examples of soft skills: • team and individual leadership • oral and written communication •
conflict resolution • negotiation • influencing • delegating • coaching and mentoring For
individuals coming to project management from a highly technical background, soft skill
development can be particularly challenging. Communication or social skills entail individuals
having the ability to interact effectively with clients and other professionals (Hargie, 2007).
The project manager needs to establish cooperative relationships with the project team
members ensure a good climate for communication, identify participants for the project to
ensure commitment and adopt an appropriate leadership style (Goodwin, in Odusami, 2002).

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3. Technology Management Skills

Most projects have one or more embedded technologies. An embedded technology refers
to the process or technology areas at the core of the project. Examples might include
software The Role of the Project Manager 37 development, chemical processing, or
commercial construction. Project manager ability to guide and coordinate the application of
these technologies is crucial to success as a project manager. Among these technology
management skills are the following:

• proficiency in project’s core (primary) technology

• proficiency in supporting technology areas

• industry knowledge

• ability to prepare comprehensive technical specifications

• design skills

• product knowledge

• process knowledge

• management of intellectual property

• patent knowledge

4.Desired Personal Traits

Many studies have been performed to correlate personality traits to success as a project
manager. Possessing these traits is a good stead role as project manager

1. Thinks like a generalist

Project managers must always be thinking in terms of the big picture. This can be a
challenge for those who are accustomed to focusing more narrowly. Although this trait
certainly requires knowledge in many different areas, what’s crucial is that you must pay
attention and care about everything and everybody.

2. A high tolerance for ambiguity

This competency will be particularly challenging if you’re technically oriented. You’ll often
receive mixed signals or contradictory data. You need to develop processes for finding truth
and narrowing down inputs without getting frustrated. This will probably not be easy for you.

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 3. A high tolerance for uncertainty

As with ambiguity, this is particularly challenging if you’re entering project management from
the technical arena. Most technically oriented people are accustomed to precision. As a
project manager, the norm is to make many decisions without sufficient information. You
must condition yourself to making decisions that are only acceptable, not perfect.

4. Honesty and integrity

Although obvious virtues, these traits are worthy of specific mention. Whenever studies are
performed on the traits that people most admire or desire in leaders, honesty and integrity
always rise to the top. One of the best behavioural traits for a project manager is to be
known as doing what you say you’ll do. Closely related is the issue of integrity, having The
Role of the Project Manager 39 Managing Supporting Technologies Your biggest challenge
in the area of technology management will probably come from dealing with the people
responsible for managing the supporting technology areas. It’s likely that they will be your
peers, which could lead to some angst, jealousy, and competition. You can expect this
interaction to test your interpersonal and behavioural skills as much as any other, perhaps
more. a reputation as someone who will follow principles, even in the face of adversity or
temptation. Together, the combination of hard skills, soft skills, functional competencies, and
personal traits compose the raw material for your overall capability as a project manager

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