Myth 1: Only people with a lot of experience within an organisation can manage projects successfully.
In many organisations in South Asia, it is common to promote employees who have worked for the company for a long time and have achieved success in their roles. However, just because someone is a top performer in their current role, it does not necessarily mean they have the skills and tools needed to manage a project successfully.
For example, let’s consider the scenario of Sofia, a supervisor at a large customer service call center. Despite being recognised as a top performer, she lacked the necessary skills to manage a project. Fortunately, her manager recognised this and enrolled her in a project management training course to help her acquire the skills she needed.
This scenario highlights the importance of investing in project management training and development, regardless of an employee’s previous experience within an organisation. By providing employees with the necessary skills and tools, businesses and organisations can ensure that their project managers are equipped to handle any project that comes their way.
Myth 2: Project managers need to be experts in every field.
Another common myth is that project managers need to be experts in every field related to a project. This can be a daunting task, especially when projects involve complex technical aspects.
However, as the scenario of Jamal, a project manager for a construction company, shows, project managers don’t need to be experts in every field. Jamal was tasked with managing the construction of a new elementary school, but he didn’t have expertise in engineering, construction, plumbing, or electrical work. Instead, he hired the right people for the job and ensured that they communicated effectively with each other.
This scenario highlights the importance of effective communication, organisation, and management skills in project management. By hiring the right experts and facilitating effective communication between them, project managers can ensure that a project runs smoothly, even if they don’t have expertise in every field.
In conclusion, the success of a project depends on the skills and tools of the project manager. By investing in project management training and development and recognising the importance of effective communication and management skills, businesses in South Asia can ensure the success of their projects. So, let’s debunk these common myths and empower project managers to achieve their goals!