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Writer's pictureLori Schoenhard, PMP

You Might Not Be a Project Manager If You...

Ever wondered if project management is the right career path for you?


Project managers play a crucial role in ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired quality standards.


They are the glue that holds a project together, juggling tasks, resources, and team dynamics to achieve success.


However, not everyone is cut out for this challenging and rewarding role.


In this blog post, we'll explore some telltale signs that project management might not be your ideal career. From a dislike of planning and organizing to avoiding decision-making and communication, we'll delve into the key attributes and activities that project managers thrive on, helping you determine if you have what it takes to excel in this demanding field.


You Might Not Be a Project Manager If You...


  • Dislike Planning and Organizing

    • If the thought of creating detailed plans, schedules, and timelines makes you groan, project management might not be your thing.

  • Avoid Making Decisions

    • If you tend to avoid making decisions and prefer when others take the lead, you might not enjoy the responsibility that comes with being a project manager.

  • Struggle with Communication

    • If talking to people, leading meetings, and keeping everyone in the loop sounds exhausting, you might not thrive in a project management role.

  • Dislike Problem-Solving

    • If solving problems and coming up with quick fixes isn't your cup of tea, the challenges of project management might not appeal to you.

  • Prefer Working Alone

    • If you love working solo and find team collaboration frustrating, managing a project team could be a tough fit.

  • Get Overwhelmed by Change

    • If adapting to new information and changing plans stresses you out, you might struggle with the dynamic nature of project management.

  • Hate Dealing with Budgets

    • If managing money, sticking to a budget, and finding cost-saving measures isn't something you enjoy, the financial aspects of project management could be daunting.

  • Lack Interest in Learning New Things

    • If you prefer sticking to what you know and aren’t interested in continuous learning and adapting, the evolving nature of project management might not suit you.

  • Avoid Conflict

    • If you shy away from negotiating and resolving conflicts, dealing with team disputes and stakeholder disagreements could be challenging.

  • Dislike Monitoring and Reporting

    • If tracking progress and giving regular updates feels like a chore, the monitoring and controlling aspect of project management might not be enjoyable for you.

  • Aren’t Innovative

    • If you don't enjoy thinking creatively or finding new ways to improve processes, you might find the innovative aspects of project management less appealing.


In short, project management involves a mix of planning, decision-making, communication, problem-solving, team collaboration, adaptability, budget management, continuous learning, conflict resolution, progress tracking, and innovation. If these activities don’t sound appealing, project management might not be the best fit for you.

Opmerkingen


Lori has a unique ability to balance the big picture while diving deep into the details, which she used to help me refine my financial management skills and ensure that every project I managed stayed on track and within budget.

Lori's guidance on budget forecasting, resource allocation, and cost optimization was invaluable. 

Travaar A.

Senior Project Manager

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