Projecting a boom

Updated on: Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Everybody is talking about the boom that India is witnessing — the rising index bearing testimony to the fact. Whether it is infrastructure, retail, housing, information technology, telecom, healthcare, education and training, environmental and risk management or even automobiles, the country is scaling new heights like never before.

But, have you ever wondered just how a mile long suspension bridge or a flyover gets built? Or how a skyscraper somehow rises magically from the ground? There are many processes involved in these accomplishments, Project Management being one of them. A booming profession today, Project Management has now become a discipline just like law, medicine etc.

What is Project Management?
Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements. This is managing the resources needed to ensure that a project is finished on time and within a budget and to the satisfaction of the end user.

The work encompasses managing

* Competing demands for scope, time, cost, quality and risk.
* Stakeholders with differing needs and requirements.

The scope of Project Management assumes greater significance now in the wake of the huge infrastructure boom in India. However, the job entails not just technicalities, but also requires you to design, monitor and successfully close projects.

Growth Prospects
A Project Manager usually manages less than three projects. The path of progression is as follows:
* Project Team Member: Also referred to as a Subject Matter Expert (SME). He is a representative from a functional group with a designated set of skills expected to complete project tasks that require those skills.
* Project Team Lead: Is responsible for a specific set of deliverables for a project. However, you must have proven skills at developing project plans, assigning people to tasks and making sure tasks get completed.
* Functional Manager: He manages others within his specific function, for instance, engineering, communications, accounting etc.
* Project Manager: He either works in one functional area or manages projects that cross functional areas. Experience of at least five years is a must.

Responsibilities
Since Project Management is a very critical activity, Project Managers have to be equipped with the following skill-sets:
* People Management: The key responsibility of the Project Manager is to ensure that his/her team delivers and exceeds the client expectations on an ongoing basis.
* Technical Expertise: Sound technical knowledge helps the Project Manager to command respect.
* Change Management: The Project Manager must be proactive to change and developments.
* Positive Attitude: Willingness to take on challenges and additional responsibilities.

Qualifications
A basic qualification in the field of engineering is preferred. A number of certifications exist, though the most popular among them is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), which has chapters all over the world. The other bodies that offer training are the International Project Management Association (IPMA) and CompTI. PMI runs two training programmes — the Project Management Professional (PMP) and the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). To be eligible for these certifications, you must meet specific education and experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step is passing a multiple-choice examination.

Projecting a boom

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