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Athena Project Consulting is excited to showcase interviews with both emerging and seasoned project management professionals. By sharing their experiences and insights, they are giving back to our community and helping to inspire and inform others in the field. Would you like to be interviewed and included as a featured project manager? Please complete our contact form expressing your interest.
Christopher Metz - CAPM, CSSGB
Describe how you started in project management
The field of project management was referred to me by my older sister, who’s a Director of Marketing. She spoke highly of the field and its opportunities, which piqued my interest. After researching the field and discovering the Project Management Institute (PMI), I decided to pursue formal education and certification. I studied diligently for my Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam and successfully passed it in 2018. At the time, I was employed in the publishing sector. The experience in gaining my CAPM allowed me to step into the role of a special project editor. A few years later, I landed a role as a project specialist, where I really honed my technical knowledge in a practical setting within a structured PMO. This hands-on experience solidified my passion for project management and provided me with practical skills that I continue to build upon today.
What has been a project accomplishment or a challenge that you have overcome that you feel most proud of?
One of my most challenging projects involved integrating department teams within a company. I took over this project after the original PM left and faced significant stakeholder turnover, including the project sponsor. This led to scope creep and delays. By transitioning from an agile to a waterfall methodology, meticulously documenting knowledge, and establishing regular 1:1 sessions with the new functional leader, I successfully navigated the project to completion despite these obstacles.
What are your thoughts on how project management may change in the next 3 - 5 years?
I believe AI will play a much larger role in project management in the coming years. Many administrative tasks, such as scheduling, reporting, and data analysis, may increasingly be handled by AI. This will allow project managers to focus more on strategic aspects of their roles, such as stakeholder management, engagement, and relationship building. While AI can streamline processes and improve efficiency, the human element of project management—particularly in terms of leadership, communication, and team dynamics—will remain crucial.
What are some of the most important qualities of a project manager?
I believe that servant leadership is key to being a stellar project manager. When managing a project, you're working with a variety of stakeholders, each with unique needs and perspectives. A great project manager goes above and beyond to support their team and stakeholders, making sure their needs are met and their voices are heard.
It’s extremely important to keep everyone informed and aligned, facilitating seamless collaboration. They need to be empathetic and supportive, understanding the challenges their team faces and providing the necessary resources to help them succeed.
Finally, adaptability and resilience are crucial skills to have as a project manager. Projects changes and setbacks are inevitable, and it's essential to stay calm and focused on finding solutions. Creating a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and motivated is key.
In short, I believe a servant leader in project management prioritizes the well-being and growth of their team, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and deliver exceptional results even through adversity.
What is one fun fact about you?
I'm not a fan of cheese! Unless it's on pizza, I avoid it like the plague.
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