Project Management

The project manager’s role can be wide in range and include full responsibility for the successful start, design, planning, control, execution, tracking and finalizing of a project. These professionals work in many industries and use traditional (a.k.a. ‘waterfall’) as well as agile (such as ‘scrum’) project management methodologies.

By definition a project manager is a leader, so some core skills in this area are good. Additionally he/she should be able to organize and motivate the team, have the ability to think ahead, manage the finances and also have good communication and writing skills.

Before hiring a project manager it’s important to inquire about his professional background and the industries where he has worked. It is also recommended to find out about their leadership style and what approach they use in challenging situations.

It’s not always easy to choose a good project manager to suit your specific needs. However, there are universal criteria you can apply. Ask your shortlisted freelancers how well they track time, how often and what kind of management reports they’ll be providing, including real time information about your teams and also how they’ll be managing costs.

Define your project requirements first and then look at the list of available professionals and services they offer. The reviews should give you an idea of how they have fared with other customers but you can also ask for examples of past projects, testimonials and even a certification from the PMI (Project Management Institute) or similar professional bodies as a proof of expertise and capability in the field.