TEPM 023: The Essential Qualities of an Effective Project Manager

In this episode, I talk with Marc Sklenka, LEED AP, MCPPO, from Colliers Engineering & Design, about several key topics related to project management, including the qualities of an effective project manager, the role of project management in the AEC industry, essential skills for success, and much more. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Questions I Ask Marc: What are the key qualities or characteristics that you consider essential for an effective project manager? How can a project manager enhance their communication skills to become more proficient in project management? How can project managers improve their communication skills by seeking and using daily opportunities to communicate with everyone on the job? What are the primary responsibilities of a project manager in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry, and how does this role differ from project management in other industries? What project characteristics or complexities might indicate the need for a project manager early on, and when is the best time to introduce them in the process? Does having an owner's representative on a project to communicate with on behalf of the owner, rather than solely dealing with the owner, generally make the design engineers or the project manager's life a bit easier? How do you effectively adapt and navigate through unexpected challenges or changes during the project life cycle? What resources or strategies do you use to stay updated with industry trends, best practices, and emerging project management methodologies? Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About the Essential Qualities of an Effective Project Manager: Effective project managers prioritize communication, spending approximately 95% of their responsibilities coordinating team members, architects, contractors, and consultants. Adapting to individual communication preferences is key to achieving success and complementing technical aspects and tools. An effective project manager prioritizes respect, responsiveness, and empathy. They nurture equal treatment among all team members, which leads to effective communication and professional relationships with contractors, designers, and other consultants. This approach ultimately contributes to a well-regarded reputation within the industry. In today's digital landscape, project managers must prioritize direct communication. This can be achieved through phone calls, video conferences, or in-person meetings. These methods enhance understanding and collaboration among team members. Valuable nuances can be lost in written forms like emails or texts. Choosing more personal communication channels becomes crucial for effective project management. Project managers in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry act as conductors, ensuring projects stay on budget, meet schedules, and maintain the expected quality. Their role is not to design or build but to facilitate collaboration among designers and contractors, delivering the project according to the owner's requirements. Introduce a project manager early on to establish a structured process and improve the chances of success in meeting project goals on time, within budget, and with good quality. Waiting until issues arise may lead to more complicated challenges that are harder to resolve. An owner's representative serves as a vital mediator between designers and the owner, providing unbiased insights and facilitating issue resolution through collaborative discussions that can make things easier for design engineers and project managers. Staying proactive and well-informed is crucial to navigating unexpected challenges during the project life cycle.