The Successful Project Manager

The position of project manager at any company is an important role, and it does not always come easy. As a project manager you are not only managing the successful outcome of a project, but every single sub-component that goes into making the overall project a success. Specifically, project managers immersed in the world of hospitality construction must be flexible to the ever-demanding work environment. This could mean spending one day glued to your computer screen, followed by a day outside in the field.

CARRY A NOTEPAD

Granted, most of us take notes on our smartphones or tablets nowadays compared to the more traditional style of note keeping, so the theory may seem antiquated. The specific methodology is beyond the point here. TAKE NOTES. This may seem rudimentary, but project managers are constantly dealing with many moving parts and keeping track of activities that pave the way for larger tasks. Accurate and comprehensive note taking is an absolute requirement for any project manager. If you pride yourself on having a superior memory, consider that a bonus. Don’t rely on it.

SET SMART GOALS

Setting goals is another step that is often overlooked, as it seems too obvious and straightforward to be taken seriously. Have you ever heard of a SMART plan? Smart, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. For project manager, ‘timely’ is the key word here. When setting goals for construction projects, each goal should be on a schedule with an actual completion date. The completion dates for each individual goal should equal the final completion date for the overall project. Furthermore, the ability to use the outcome of these goals as a metric is crucial at the end of a project when you are performing a lessons learned study.

DELEGATE

Rarely does a project manager work alone on a project. Project managers work with owner representatives, architects, engineers, contractors, legal counsel, and any number of other vendors and team players. A successful project manager is able to divvy up responsibility, especially in hotel construction. Hotel construction is unique for project manager, as it typically requires them to be in multiple places at once for their clients. The most successful project managers understand how to leverage their team and delegate to team members based on who brings what to the table.

Project managers immersed in the world of hospitality construction must be flexible to the ever-demanding work environment. The ‘best’ project managers in hospitality construction produce results in various ways, but the fundamentals for success are the same. Follow these three tips for a successful project and when in doubt, call upon a professional like Beacon Bay to handle it for you.