Project Manager for an Engineering Firm: Job Description As a project manager for an engineering firm, I am under no illusion whatsoever that my job will be an easy one. This is more so the case given the project intensive nature of engineering industries. In an attempt to enhance my understanding of my prospective job position, I come up with a detailed job description for the aforementioned position.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

Project managers for engineering firms are largely responsible for not only the development but also the supervision of various projects. They take the appropriate steps to ensure that the said projects observe a host of pre-determined conditions in relation to safety, quality as well as cost. A project manager's job description according to Lessard and Lessard (2007):

usually requires that the project manager define the scope of project, form a team, identify stakeholders, identify decision-makers, and establish escalation procedures should the project encounter major problem requiring a higher level decision.

The description given above in my opinion pretty much captures what is expected of a project manager for an engineering firm. A project manager in this case according to Lessard and Lessard (2007) could also be responsible for the identification as well as evaluation of risks. Yet another role project managers play has got to do with the identification of discrepancies so as to ensure that corrective measures are adopted in a timely manner. Further, in addition to identifying stakeholders, the nature of the said position may also require a project manager to coordinate the efforts of the said stakeholders as well as other relevant participants including but not limited to subcontractors and technical experts.

Skills and Abilities

A project manager in a technical field such as engineering should ideally possess the relevant technical skills. In addition to the said technical skills, such an individual should be skilled in the art of...

This is especially important when it comes to the effective management of people as well as other aspects (financial or otherwise) of the project. Proficiency with the various tools of project management is yet another important skill a project manager in this case should have.
There are a wide range of ideal personal qualities a project manager for an engineering firm should exhibit. These include but they are not limited to the ability to handle pressure, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, thoroughness, diplomacy, etc. A project manager in this case should also have an eye for detail. The ability to effectively and effortlessly supervise multiple teams cannot also be overstated. This is more so the case given that the project manager mostly works as part of a larger team of managers, engineers, developers, etc. Yet another key but often overlooked personal skill in this case is the ability of project managers to effectively manage time. Effective time management skills both at a personal and professional level are likely to see projects finished in good time.

Educational Requirements

According to Kerzner (2009), the job of a project manager cannot be regarded a walk in the park. In that regard, the relevance of proper training as well as education in preparation for the challenges of the job cannot be overstated. In the words of Kerzner (2009), "to be effective as a project manager, an individual must have management as well as technical skills." Thus as I have already pointed out elsewhere in this text, technical skills in this particular case are regarded critical. In that regard, an engineering degree coupled with a project management specialization would come in handy. While the former would be critical based on the nature of projects undertaken in an engineering firm, the latter specialization would enhance a prospective project manager's awareness of various project management principles while equipping him or her with the relevant financial management, planning as well as presentation skills. To…