The Project Management role is identified with task fulfillment, problem-solving, and team-oriented responsibilities. In most cases, the role is judged by how many tickets their team can complete on time.
However, we propose a new way to approach this role. Yes, task management is essential, but knowing why we're working on these tasks and the ultimate objective is also relevant.
At Sud Creative, the Project Manager is in charge of always keeping the big picture in view, and in this article, we'll explore what it looks like to lead a team with purpose.
Project Management Plays a Key Role in Software Development
Project managers are the people that help development teams see a project completed from start to finish. They hold the team together and ensure that the project is completed within the time frame allotted and within the client's agreed-upon budget. Call them a jack-of-all trades of sorts.
There are many aspects to project management, and it takes a knowledgeable, resourceful, and well-rounded person to take on the role and be successful at it. It's not a position where you check off each box until your deliverable is complete. Still, it requires you to be flexible, decisive, and organized to see a successful and quality project to completion.
Project Managers Solve Problems
Project managers have to be problem solvers. When building a new product, such as a mobile application, these managers must be involved from the beginning stages of the development process. They’re in direct contact with the client and are responsible for understanding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done.
They're also responsible for ensuring that the project's technical side is handled correctly and that the right developers are selected for the job. As with any development process, you're sure to run into technical difficulties, such as improper code input, or that a particular part of the build needs improvement before being pushed to the next stage.
In any case, their goal is to figure out the problem and get it resolved as soon as possible. Of course, issues are bound to happen along the way, but the project manager's job is to ensure that they are handled swiftly while not compromising budgets or time.
Organization and Time Management are a Must
Time is of the essence, it’s said, and it's, of course, the same when it comes to developing a product. The software development process is a cycle that includes various stages until the project comes to completion. Each stage is met with its own problems and solutions and will take a particular time to complete.
Software development is costly and can be prone to blow budgets out of the water if someone isn't keeping an eye on how things are going. That's where your project manager comes in. They must keep tabs on where the development process is and how long it will take to complete each task. This is generally addressed during the planning stage of the development cycle to provide the client with an estimate of the time to launch and the cost.
With so many moving parts, anyone's head can spin out of control. But for an efficient project manager, they have it all worked out. They must be highly organized and precise in handling every aspect of the project. From delegating tasks, reporting, staffing, planning, and execution, these heroes can run circles around the place and, more importantly, get shit done.
Encourage and Support Team Members
We mentioned briefly that this role is one in which the managers are in charge of staffing the right developers, such as QAs, tech leads, UX/UI designers, etc., to get the job done. In turn, it means that they connect with the team daily and are the ones everyone goes to for guidance.
Keeping up morale is essential in development; it can sometimes be discouraging for a team if they are struggling to find solutions, make mistakes or if the project has not been going as planned.
Therefore, the project manager's job is to listen and support when things feel challenging and celebrate the team's accomplishments and hard work. We always say that even if you are a leader, you are still very much a part of the team. Leaders are there to uplift and motivate others, lend a helping hand when needed and bring positivity and encouragement to the role.
Therefore, project managers must have great people skills and understand how empathy, trust, transparency, and stellar communication can play a part in creating a productive work environment where your teams feel motivated to bring their best to the project.
Provide Quality Deliverables
By providing the proper support and encouragement to your team members, you have a better chance to create a project that is not only delivered on time but has resulted in a high-quality product that meets the standards and expectations of the client.
The project management role considers the bigger picture while managing the finer details. They must understand how each part of the project affects the other and what the final result will be. The goal is to bring quality projects to completion, not half-cooked ideas or semi-functional products.
After all, your client has hired your team because they think you are the best for the job and have faith that you can bring their project to life in the most efficient, cost-effective, and holistic way possible.