When running a business, there are many factors to consider. One of which is, should I hire a Project Manager? The answer is absolutely yes, in the grand scheme of things it’s expensive not to have one, and even more expensive to have an unqualified Project Manager. Cost and time overruns have a great impact on national economies. One estimate of IT failure rates is between 5% and 15%, which represents a loss of $50 billion to $150 billion per year in the United States.**
A great Project Manager mitigates these risks to your business by acting as a cohesive bridge between the team and client. They are there to navigate the highs, lows, and potential hurdles your project may encounter. An efficient Project Manager does much more than keeping everything in check, they ensure everything is delivered on time, within budget, and scope. They unite clients and teams, create a vision for a successful project, and make sure everyone is on the same page. When projects are managed properly, there’s a positive impact that echos beyond deliverables.
What should you look for when staffing the perfect Project Manager?
What should you look for when staffing the perfect Project Manager? One of the main and first qualifiers a Project Manager should have is a professional certification.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world’s leading association for those who consider Project, or Program Management their profession. PMI has a global reach, and have been setting the standard for Project and Program Management for 52 years.
Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP) is the world’s leading project management certification issued by the PMI. An individual that has this professional certification shows employers that they know how to work more strategically when it comes to adding value and delivering results. The PMP certification trains individuals in soft skills for managing people. In addition to being certified, PMP have at least a bachelor’s degree, 6 months of experience leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education/training or CAPM® Certification. Aside from knowing how to navigate the interpersonal business environment, PMP holders will have a thorough understanding of the connection between projects and organizational strategy, and a firm grip on the technical processes needed for success. In recent years the PMP certification has added three new management styles that give its holders a true advantage. It now includes the predictive (waterfall), agile, and a hybrid approach to management.
Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI-CAPM) is another professional certification that will set prospective candidates ahead of the pack. CAPM holders are entry level – but dedicated workers. Individuals with this certification will have 23 hours of educational training specifically focused on Project Management. They possess a secondary education. CAPM holders also must earn 150 PDU’s a year. PDU’s stand for Professional Development Unit, this is a unit used to measure ongoing development within the field of project management. With qualifications like these, you can feel confident that they have the knowledge, and diligence needed to work on and with project teams.
If your project or program calls for more of a specialist, then a PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) might be just who you are looking for. This certification signifies their ability to identify and assess project risks, mitigate threats and capitalize on opportunities. They will enhance and protect the needs of your organization. High-performing organizations that use risk management frequently are high performers that meet their goals 2.5 times more often and waste 13 times less money than low performers*.
Another specialized certification to look for is the Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP). A candidate with the SP certification will ensure that unlike 50 percent of projects*, your company’s projects will be completed on time and run smoothly. They understand there is much more to project scheduling than just the use of tools and technology to build a schedule for your team. Projects and teams today are increasingly global and virtual, and project schedules are key to managing activities, resources, dependencies and ultimately, project outcomes. The PMI-SP assures you that a candidate is knowledgeable and has the skill to drive the improved management of project schedules.
If you are working on a larger scale project. You may need to hire a Program Manager
If you are working on a larger scale project. You may need to hire a Program Manager. A program is composed of several underlying, interconnected projects. These projects complement and build upon each other to achieve a larger, long-term business objective. A successful program drives strategic benefits and organizational growth. In comparison to a project, which is usually a one time undertaking, bound by time and a budget, producing a single deliverable.
A program manager articulates a program’s strategy and objectives and assesses how it will impact a business. They must define and oversee a list of dependent projects needed to reach the program’s overall goals. Their responsibilities include enlisting teams, implementing strategies, measuring ROI, and other big picture initiatives.
If you are interested in hiring a Program Manager to supervise groups of projects, or a Project Manager for an individual undertaking, look for professional certifications. Unsure of where to look for the right fit? Phenom, LLC hosts a variety of certified program and Project Managers with over 20 years of experience! If you are seeking a more senior level PMI-PMP Phenom, LLC has contractual services and staff to drive results for your business. If you need a Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI-CAPM), or want to consider a more specialized Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) or PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) – reach out to Phenom, LLC here to discuss your options. Phenom, LLC makes it their mission to phenomenal results by identifying and evaluating service needs, implementing best practices and managing solutions by simplifying the workload with added value.
* According to PMI 2015 Pulse of the Profession® report
** Harvard Business Review