How To Become A Project Manager

If you’re a confident and organized big-picture thinker, then a career in project management could be perfect for you. As a project manager, it will be up to you to create a project plan and guide your team towards its successful completion. So, it’s a position that allows you to make a big difference wherever you work. 

However, while exciting, it is a complicated field. As such, to get a good project management job, it’s a good idea to acquire a professional certification. First, though, consider doing a short online certification course to help you decide whether it’s the right role for you. 

A course will answer all your questions about what a project manager is, what managing resources they need, and how to become a project manager. Understanding all this and more will be invaluable as you start on your path to becoming a project manager. This guide will give you an overview of what you can expect to learn, as well as job descriptions and average salary. 

What is project management? 

It sounds so simple to say that a project manager manages projects. However, what a project manager actually does is far more complex. They have to conceive and plan large-scale projects, taking charge from start to finish. Those in a project management position will also be responsible for procurement, delegation, and resource management. 

Professionals on this career path are, ultimately, responsible for the success or failure of the projects they implement. That’s why it helps to educate yourself in the field before starting. Whether you want to manage product development projects or company restructures, it is advantageous to train as a certified project manager. 

What is agile project management? 

There are different approaches to project management. One project management methodology is agile project management. This management process relies on agile task management software for dynamic project planning. It’s a great management tool for projects that are likely to face changes throughout. 

Using Agile management tools, it is far easier to collaborate with project teams. Together, they and their manager can continually revise the stages of a project or even its end goal. 

What is waterfall project management? 

A more traditional approach is the waterfall project management system. Essentially project managers who opt for the waterfall method will work towards their targets in a more linear fashion. Every step of a project will be broken down into a series of different steps that are set in a timeline, all of which will hopefully lead to overall project success. 

Other project management methodologies

Agile and Waterfall are among the most common project management methodologies, but there are others you should know about, too. To assure a successful project every time, you may need to opt for different approaches depending on the requirements of each.

Six Sigma, for example, is all about minimizing issues and using data to predict problems so they can be prevented before they happen. There’s also Scrum, which many think of as a standalone methodology. 

However, others see it as more of a framework to support Agile project delivery. It’s also worth knowing about Kanban, Lean, and PRINCE2. You can learn Six Sigma or become a professional Scrum user by taking project management courses. 

Why is project management important?

Certified project managers are crucial for companies of all types. When they do their job well, they can bring significant long-term benefits to a business and help it grow. But, without their leadership skills, team management capabilities, and in-depth knowledge of how to implement change, it is far harder for businesses to achieve meaningful results. 

One of the most notable benefits is the fact that project managers can save their companies time and money. While it is true that hiring a project manager can be expensive in its own right, with their help, the chances of reducing costs and staying within budget are far higher. 

In addition, project managers have all the resources at their disposal to effect positive change and assist high-level managers in making strong business decisions. And, finally, in the hands of a good project manager, team communication and stakeholder management can improve exponentially. 

How much does a project manager make? 

How much a project manager makes each year depends. Where they work and which industry they operate in plays a part. However, their experience and education in the field play arguably the most significant role. 

So, while the average project manager salary is around $77,500, it is higher for those who have taken a project management course or have several project management certifications under their belt. The top project managers, therefore, make around $135,000 a year. 

How to become a project manager? 

To become a project manager and work your way up to a high-paying position, it’s important to sharpen your management skills early. To do so, you will need to study project management in some capacity. 

That could be through a degree program or project management training courses. From there, it will be up to you to gain the relevant experience. Here’s what you need to know about how to become a project manager. 

Project management education 

One of the clearest pathways to a degree in project management is to enroll in a degree course. There are plenty of project management degrees out there including those in related fields like organizational leadership and human resource management. 

Through such courses, you will learn the hard skills required of all project managers including practical leadership and business analysis. You will also get an insight into the sorts of soft skills you’ll need, which you can begin to hone when you go on to get hands-on project management experience. 

Project management online course 

There are plenty of reasons to study project management in higher education. However, embarking on a degree course might not be feasible for you right now. So, to get you ready to apply for project management experience, consider taking foundation certification training. 

The Project Management Online Certification Course from Courses for Success is the perfect way to start your journey. It will teach you all the project management basics you’ll be expected to know on the job. And, the best part is that you can take the course entirely at your own pace, so you can fit it around your current work and home life. 

At the end of the 12 modules, you will be tasked with a certification exam. This will test you on all you’ve learned, including the five process groups, nine knowledge areas, and the triple constraint. Once you have your certificate, you will be well prepared to go ahead and train for, say, a certified associate in project management or similar qualification. 

Why should I take a project management course?

Once you have completed your initial online short course, you can go on to take one of several other project management courses. Doing so will help to prepare you for the difficult but stimulating job you have ahead of you and ensure you work at your best from the beginning. They will also give you an advantage in what is a very competitive industry. 

Some of the most prestigious certification training courses you can take include the following:

• Associate in Project Management course, also known as the CAPM certification.

• Project Management Professional certification, also known as the PMP certification training course. 

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP certification training, which also includes a security certification. 

You can prepare yourself for all three courses on Courses for Success with a PMP course bundle and CISSP online certification course. 

Is project management hard to get into?

The world of project management is demanding but endlessly rewarding. If you think you have what it takes to work in the field and earn an enviable annual salary as a result, then it’s important to plan ahead. 

By taking a certification training course, you can ensure you’re well-prepared to handle the challenges of a job as a project manager. Doing so will allow you to build a foundation of knowledge that you can draw on throughout your career. Plus, with a qualification to your name, it will be an awful lot easier to apply for and get project management experience. 

Why Courses for Success? 

Courses for Success offers over 10,000 online courses, all of which aim to help you in your personal development and career progression. Not only that, but you can also study them anywhere and at any time, and take them at your own pace, too.

You don’t need career diplomas or specific experience to get started. With every course we offer created to be as accessible as possible, you can be sure that all of them, from our coding courses and trading courses to design courses and developer courses, will help to boost your prospects, no matter who you are.

Beyond just the education itself, students will be issued with a certificate online after successful completion of each of the learning courses they do. Our project management courses are no exception. Our online project management certificates are recognized by industry leaders. You could really make a name for yourself in the project management sector by signing up for a Courses for Success short course.