How to become a Project Manager

Project Manager is a job profile meant for someone seeking pleasure out of uncertainty and adventure. When a team is assigned a project, they are usually guided by a leader, the project manager. The project manager leads the team in conception, creation, organization, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and closing. The project manager is actively making decisions at every phase of the project. The project manager is responsible for the project and the team members and is held accountable for the mistakes and appreciation.

Types of Project Managers

Various categories of project managers exist, encompassing construction site project managers, government-employed project managers, and engineering project managers. Numerous other sectors also utilize project managers to supervise specialized tasks and operations. Industries that commonly employ project managers comprise:

1. Information technology (IT)
2. Construction
3. Health care
4. Finance
5. Manufacturing
6. Marketing and advertising
7. Government and public administration
8. Energy and utilities
9. Telecommunications
10. Retail and consumer goods
11. Transportation and logistics
12. Education
13. Non-profit organizations
14. Consulting and professional services

Here are the steps on how to become a Project Manager:

1. Educational Background: Obtain a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or Project Management. While a degree is not always mandatory, it can give you a competitive edge in the job market.
2. Gain Relevant Experience: Seek opportunities to work on projects or in roles related to project management. Start as a project coordinator, assistant, or team member to gain practical experience.
3. Develop Key Skills: Hone essential skills for project management, including communication, leadership, organization, problem-solving, time management, and conflict resolution.
4. Learn Project Management Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with various project management methodologies such as Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, or PRINCE2. Understanding these approaches will be crucial in managing different types of projects.
5. Obtain Project Management Certifications (Optional): Consider obtaining certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). While not mandatory, these certifications can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the field.
6. Network and Seek Mentorship: Build a professional network within the project management community. Connect with experienced Project Managers and seek mentorship to gain valuable insights and advice.
7. Showcase Your Skills: Highlight your project management experience and accomplishments on your resume. Demonstrate how you've successfully managed projects and achieved positive outcomes.
8. Apply for Entry-Level Project Management Positions: Look for entry-level project management roles or opportunities to coordinate small projects. These positions will be a stepping stone to more significant project management responsibilities.
9. Continuously Improve: Stay updated with the latest industry trends and advancements in project management. Engage in continuous learning and professional development to enhance your skills.
10. Be Adaptable and Resilient: Project Managers encounter challenges and changes. Be adaptable, resourceful, and resilient in managing projects and overcoming obstacles.
11. Seek Feedback and Grow: Accept feedback from colleagues, superiors, or mentors to improve your project management approach. Use constructive criticism to develop and refine your skills.
12. Excel in Leadership: As you progress in your career, focus on developing leadership skills. A successful Project Manager manages tasks and motivates and guides the project team.

• To ensure that the project manager himself/herself as well as the team members has all the information crucial for the successful accomplishment of the project.

• To locate an issue or its cause and suggest a feasible alternative.

• To guide the team throughout all the phases of a project.

• To establish a common agreement on the expectations from the project and the team from both internal and external shareholders

• set and manage project expectations with external and internal stakeholders

• To establish professional relationships with the team members and connect to them and guide them.

• To plan and prioritise the activities within the project and to allocate time and schedule them according to these priorities. 

• Develop the budget allocations and stick to them.

• To constantly evaluate the processes, and maintain the standards recommended by the company, give feedbacks to the team members for improvement

• To document each activity and prepare a final report including the briefs of activities and overall summary.

• To evaluate the risk involved and the consequences of each action to be taken, reason the activities with scientific backup or data available.

The profile of a project manager is that of uncertainty. The nature of work varies with each project and with each day. The obstacles faced today won't be anything similar to those faced tomorrow. The one skill that could aid through the diverse nature of the problem is critical thinking. The capacity to examine every scenario, search for answers, and act after considering all the ramifications, among other things, is critical to the practical completion of a project. A project manager would have to lead a team, so they must have leadership qualities like the ability to influence and motivate others and manage and resolve conflict within the team etc. The interpersonal skills would enable them to connect and thus increase the group's efficiency. The knowledge about group dynamics is an added advantage. Project managers should be able to multitask and take decisions even under rigid deadline pressures. The communication skills would enable them to establish standard agreement on what the expectations are from the team, provide detailed information regarding the development and issues faced, and produce reports and presentations. They should also have the ability to manage time and resources like money.

Project Manager - Salary Information is as follows :

• Minimum Monthly Salary: For entry-level Project Managers or those with limited experience, the monthly salary might range from INR 40,000 to INR 60,000 or more.
• Maximum Monthly Salary: Highly experienced and skilled Project Managers, especially those leading complex projects in reputed companies or industries, may earn a monthly salary ranging from INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,50,000 or more.
• Annual Salary: The annual salary for entry-level Project Managers could be approximately INR 4.8 lakhs to INR 7.2 lakhs per year. Experienced and well-qualified Project Managers may earn a maximum yearly salary ranging from INR 12 lakhs to INR 30 lakhs or more.
• Highest-Paying Jobs and Scope: The highest-paying jobs for Project Managers are typically found in industries like IT, construction, engineering, healthcare, and finance. Project Managers who possess strong leadership skills, demonstrate successful project execution and have a proven track record in delivering projects on time and within budget can command higher salaries and may have opportunities for career growth into senior management or program management roles.Project Managers are essential for planning, organizing, and overseeing projects from inception to completion. Their ability to coordinate resources, manage timelines, and mitigate risks is invaluable to organizations across various sectors. As businesses continue to emphasize efficiency and strategic project management, the demand for skilled Project Managers remains robust, providing them with favorable career prospects in both traditional and emerging industries.

Undergraduate Level
DU JAT
IPMAT 2018
NPAT 2018
Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET)
AIMA UGAT 2018
GGSIPU CET BBA 2018

Postgraduate Level
CAT (Common Admission Test)
AIMA-MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
IIFT (Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade)
SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
NMAT By GMAC
CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
IBSAT (IBS Aptitude Test)
MICAT (MICA Admission Test)
MAH - MBA/MMS CET (Maharashtra MBA Common Entrance Test)

Doctoral Course
Research management aptitude test R-MAT
Symbiosis University Ph.D entrance examination
UGC NET
XIMB-RAT (Research Aptitude Test)
IIIT Delhi PhD Admission Test
Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University PhD entrance test
Aligarh Muslim University PhD Entrance exam
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Entrance Exam

1. Information Technology (IT): In the IT industry, Project Managers oversee software development, system implementations, and technology upgrades, ensuring efficient project delivery and successful product launches.
2. Construction and Real Estate: Project Managers in this industry manage building projects, coordinate construction timelines, and handle budgeting, ensuring smooth execution of construction and infrastructure developments.
3. Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals: In the healthcare sector, Project Managers lead projects related to hospital process improvements, medical technology implementations, and healthcare facility expansions to enhance patient care.
4. Finance and Banking: Project Managers in finance handle financial projects, including budgeting, financial analysis, and process optimization, contributing to the efficient functioning of financial institutions.
5. Manufacturing and Engineering: In this industry, Project Managers oversee product development, process improvements, and manufacturing projects, ensuring quality production and operational efficiency.
6. Marketing and Advertising: Project Managers coordinate campaigns, event management, and product launches, ensuring effective marketing strategies and successful brand promotions.
7. Government and Public Administration: In the public sector, Project Managers handle projects related to public infrastructure, policy implementations, and social initiatives to serve the community effectively.
8. Energy and Utilities: Project Managers in this industry manage energy production, distribution, and infrastructure projects, contributing to the sustainable development of energy resources.
9. Telecommunications: In the telecommunications sector, Project Managers lead network upgrades, system implementations, and technology projects, ensuring smooth communication services for users.
10. Retail and Consumer Goods: Project Managers in retail manage store openings, supply chain optimizations, and product launches, contributing to the success of retail businesses and customer satisfaction.