Project managers can work in many different industries, including construction, health care, tech, finance, government, and IT. Compared to other certifications, the PfMP certification is best for seasoned project management professionals, and, accordingly, requires the most extensive prerequisites of any project management certification. Regardless of the industry clients, executives, and staff members see the project manager as a liaison and central source of information who ensures tasks get done correctly, on time, and within budget. We’re going over common project management career paths, along with their average annual salary information. Click on each career below to see the open jobs available on FlexJobs with a variety of flexible work options. Project managers plan and execute projects to help organisations improve processes, develop new products, build structures, run events or complete other initiatives.

Scrum, an approach to Agile management, uses daily team meetings and short (for example, 30-day) “sprints” to develop projects quickly and efficiently. The Lean method, developed by Toyota in the 1970s, seeks to maximize value and minimize waste. A project manager is a professional who organizes, plans, and executes projects while working within restraints education project manager like budgets and schedules. Project managers lead entire teams, define project goals, communicate with stakeholders, and see a project through to its closure. Whether running a marketing campaign, constructing a building, developing a computer system, or launching a new product, the project manager is responsible for the success or failure of the project.

How to become a project manager: the 2024 guide

Generally, project managers who are employed by large-scale companies will earn more than those who work for medium or small ones. In addition, project managers who have leadership roles and experience managing projects will also be more likely to earn more. Working in these roles can help you learn more about project management and bolster your experience before you apply to project manager positions. Assistant project managers report to the project manager and provide support to the project team in a variety of ways, including conducting research, performing administrative tasks, and maintaining meeting notes. Throughout the project lifecycle, assistant project managers provide support in a variety of ways, at the discretion of the project manager. For example, if you’re working in software development, you may choose to employ Agile techniques.

Instead, the PM ensures that team members do the right things in the right order at the right times, monitoring the project’s progress all through execution. The PMI offers a qualification specifically designed for agile practitioners, the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP). Both certifications have benefits, and the two certifications can actually complement each other.

Soft skills for project managers

Having the knowledge and experience to know when and how to deploy a particular project management methodology is essential to running successful projects or managing a multi-project portfolio. A project management degree is not always required for jobs and certification in the field. However, it is much easier for bachelor’s degree-holders to earn PMI certification. No wonder more and more people are exploring the project manager career path and looking to learn how to become a project manager.

PMI is the primary organization offering professional certifications in project management. Forbes Advisor’s education editors are committed to producing unbiased rankings and informative articles covering online colleges, tech bootcamps and career paths. Our ranking methodologies use data from the National Center for Education Statistics, education providers, and reputable educational and professional organizations.

Work in the industry

Prince2 is a rigorous and disciplined set of methods that together create an integrated system for project success. Powerful and in-depth, Prince2 is a project management methodology that provides a comprehensive toolset for producing high-quality products and efficiently delivering them. With this guide as your starting point, you’ll learn what a project manager is, what they do, and a little about how they do what they do.

• It is not necessary to have a project management degree or master’s degree to enter project management.
• Let’s take a closer look at what project managers do, why you should consider a career in project management, and how you can get started.
• In an organisation using Scrum, team members—the Scrum team—work together to reach a common goal faster.
• They can manage multiple project managers, work cross-functionally, and interact with higher-level leaders within the organization.

An advisory board of educators and other subject matter experts reviews and verifies our content to bring you trustworthy, up-to-date information. As such, competent managers who can oversee projects throughout their life cycles are at a premium in the modern workplace. Within planning and initiation, project managers lead, execute, or assist with four areas.

Skills for Project Managers

Whether you’re just graduating from college or looking to pivot to a new career in project management, a professional certificate or certification could help enhance your resume to make you more appealing to hiring managers. According to the Job Growth and Talent Gap report from PMI, employers will need to fill some 2.2 million new project management-oriented roles each year through 2027 [4]. Job seekers with a combination of leadership and technical skills will find themselves in demand in the coming years. This indicates a talent gap in the project management field, meaning there are not enough candidates with the right skills to meet this high demand.

Especially in hybrid and remote teams, prioritizing clear communication should be a top priority for effective project managers. Establishing pre-determined meeting times and facilitated check-ins is a great way to ensure that the flow of two-way communication continues throughout the project lifecycle. Project management can be a challenging career, but you’ll never face those challenges alone.

How much do project managers make?

Scrum provides a set of processes, rules, and roles that allow small teams to be more result-oriented and productive. In an organisation using Scrum, team members—the Scrum team—work together to reach a common goal faster. Agile is a powerful project methodology that emphasises teamwork and frequent deliveries to demonstrate progress. In an Agile process, requirements and solutions evolve through collaboration among self-organising cross-functional teams.

Several years of being a leader in project management might get you to high-level positions, like vice president of operations, or executive positions like Chief Operating Officer. These high-ranking business leaders implement new strategies across the business. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals. According to a 2022 jobs report by PMI, PMP-certified professionals earn 16% more than their uncertified peers.

Whether you need a Gantt chart or a Kanban board, it has all the features you need to deliver your project — your way. It all depends on what processes and frameworks your industry (and company) prefers to use — so do your research, talk to others in the field, and decide what the best agile certification for you is. The CAPM provides you with a foundational knowledge of project management based on the standards and guidelines outlined in the PMBOK Guide. Unlike the PMP, it doesn’t have the same prerequisites, so it might be more suited to someone looking for a PM grounding at the beginning of their project management career. It also comes in both Foundation and Practitioner flavors for every stage of your project management journey.