A project manager is the person who has the overall responsibility for the successful planning and execution of any project. This title is used in the construction industry, architecture and many different occupations that are based on production of a product or service.

The project manager must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills.

Key amongst his/her duties is the recognition that risk directly impacts the likelihood of success and that this risk must be both formally and informally measured throughout the lifetime of the project.

Risk arises primarily from uncertainty and the successful project manager is the one who focuses upon this as the main concern. Most of the issues that impact a project arise in one way or another from risk. A good project manager can reduce risk significantly, often by adhering to a policy of open communication, ensuring that every significant participant has an opportunity to express opinions and concerns.

It follows from the above that a project manager is one who is responsible for making decisions both small and large, in such a way that risk is controlled and uncertainty minimized. Every decision taken by the project manager should be taken in such a way that it directly benefits the project.

Project managers use project management software to organize their tasks and workforce. These software allow project managers to produce reports and charts in a few minutes, compared to the several hours it can take if they do not use any tool.

Construction project manager

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In the past, construction project managers were individuals who had worked in construction or a supporting industry and were promoted into project management. This led to a profession in which it was difficult to gain knowledge.

The profession has more recently grown to accommodate several dozen Construction Management Bachelor of Science programs.

Until recently, the industry also lacked any level of standardization, with individual States determining the eligibilty requirements within their jurisdiction.

However, several Trade Associations based in the USA have made strides in creating a commonly-accepted set of qualifications and tests to determine a project manager's competency.

1. The Project Management Institute has made some headway into being a standardizing body with its creation of the Project Management Professional (P.M.P.) designation.
2. The Constructor Certification Commission of the American Institute of Constructors holds semiannual nationwide tests. Eight American Construction Management programs require that students take these exams before they may receive their Bachelor of Science in Construction Management degree, and 15 other Universities actively encourage their students to consider the exams.
3. The Associated Colleges of Construction Education, and the Associated Schools of Construction have made considerable progress in developing national standards who Construction Education programs.

Architectural project manager

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An architectural project manager has many of the same skills as their counterpart in the construction industry. An architect will often work closely with the construction manager in the office of the General Contractor (GC), and at the same time, coordinate the work of the design team and numerous consultants who contribute to a construction project, and manage communication with the client. The issues of budget, scheduling, and quality-control are the responsibility of the project manager in an architect's office.

See also

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• Project management
• Project planning

Chef de projet | Project manager | プロジェクトマネージャ | Projectmanager | 项目经理

Project management | Architecture and engineering occupations