How to become a project manager

How to become a project manager

Learn how to help other people work together towards a common goal (on deadline, under budget… ideally).

Project managers carry the responsibility of planning and executing projects. Technically it’s possible to successfully complete a project without someone being responsible for planning, co-ordinating, managing and poking people when they haven’t done their part yet, but having a project manager to oversee these things makes life a lot easier.

A project manager presents to his team in a meeting room.

How do you become a project manager?

There are different pathways to becoming a qualified project manager.

As an entry-level credential, you can undertake the PMI’s internationally recognised Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM). This qualification provides a grounding in core concepts and different ways of working, such as agile principles and business analysis.

At RMIT, you can apply to the Bachelor of Project Management (Honours), or start with a Diploma of Project Management and build from there. There are two diploma options, depending on where you want to focus your career: a general course that covers the foundational knowledge and skills you’ll need, and one navigates the specific needs of the construction industry.

Apply to a project management course

Two people look at wall of sticky agile notes.

Diploma of Project Management

Built around the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBoK), as developed by leading industry professional organisation The Project Management Institute, this course covers the fundamentals you’ll need to get your career underway.

A man wearing a hard hat and a high vis vest points to something off camera while he goes over plans with three other people.

Bachelor of Project Management (Honours)

This degree will give you the theoretical knowledge and practical know-how to take projects from inception to completion. It will arm you with tools to manage projects across a range of scales and complexities, and develop your skills for working on projects in various industries.

A project manager points to a collection of plans taped to a white wall while his team listens.

Graduate Diploma in Project Management

This course will introduce you to practical tools to mitigate risk, design strong projects and lead successful teams – confidently and based on proven strategies. Depending on your interests and career goals, you have the opportunity to specialise in engineering, information technology or general project management.

A man points to a series of sticky notes stuck to a wall.

Master of Project Management

This degree emphasises the practical application of theory to develop your capacity to respond to current and emerging issues and trends. You will critically engage with project management theory and best practice principles, and evaluate and implement project management strategies using real-world, project-based cases and examples.

There are also certifications available through the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM), depending on your level of experience and expertise. These certifications require continuous professional development to maintain.

You might also be interested in pursuing a Projects in Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) certification, a process-based methodology for effective project management, or a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, which provides evidence of your knowledge of relevant best practices and principles.

And if you’re focusing your work in a particular industry, it’s useful to pursue further study in specialised areas. For example, IT departments will usually expect you to be familiar with concepts like dashboarding and agile workflows.

What is a project manager and what do they do?

A project manager is the person in charge of making sure a given project is completed on schedule, within budget and according to plan. Generally, they’re involved from ideation through to execution, keeping track of all the moving parts and people who make up the wider project, but sometimes they come on board partway through the process.

You’ll find project managers in almost every industry. The specifics differ, but the skills are broadly transferable (as we discuss below).

To give an example, think about building a house. You can’t do everything at once: you need a variety of skilled tradies to do their job in sequence. In this scenario, the project manager schedules the team to lay the foundations before the framers come in to build the walls (allowing, of course, time for the concrete to dry). If the framers are slow or delayed for some reason, the project manager has to contact the plumber and electrician to reschedule their part of the project… but what if they’re booked out for the next six months? What if there’s a cancellation fee? These are the kinds of problems a project manager has to solve.

Tasks and responsibilities

We’ve provided an overview of the kinds of tasks and responsibilities that fall under the purview of a project manager. It’s an umbrella role that covers a range of areas, liaising between stakeholders, clients and professionals at different levels and different times. Despite the breadth of micro-tasks and responsibilities connected to individual projects, there are some universal elements that a project manager is generally considered responsible for.

These tasks and responsibilities include:

  • setting project goals
  • defining tasks
  • assigning resources
  • managing budgets
  • managing timelines.
A group of people in a meeting.

What skills does a successful project manager need?

There’s a fine balance between keeping track of every element of a project and micromanaging your teams. A successful project manager needs to know when to get involved, and when to let people do their jobs their way.

In addition, the core skills include:

  • organisation and attention to detail
  • critical thinking and prioritisation
  • facilitation and negotiation
  • planning and documentation
  • problem-solving and risk management.

It also helps to have a technical understanding of the industry you’re working in, so you can communicate more effectively with stakeholders, using a shared language to understand and relay the specific nature of issues as they arise.

How much do project managers earn?

The median weekly earnings for a project manager is $3,691 per week*.

*Source: www.jobsandskills.gov.au 2023

Learn more about your project management study options

Whether you're a Year 12 student weighing up your options or thinking about switching careers, RMIT's project management courses provide a comprehensive and industry-focused education that can help you succeed as a project manager in Australia.

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