Perfection is defined by the Urban dictionary as “an impossibility, something unattainable, something that cannot be reached”. If ever a person really was “perfect”, then that would mean they were different from everyone else. Being perfect means different things to different people, of course, so what one person might consider the perfect project manager (or as close to perfect as possible) may not be the same for another person.
It can be just as difficult to define what makes the perfect project as what makes the perfect project manager. Every project is different so it will have different objectives and different ways to achieve the final outcome; not to mention different people, scope, budget, resources, external influences etc. It could be argued that the perfect project is one that comes in on time and on, or under, budget but that is a very simplistic view. And there is a very good chance, indeed a certainty, that even “perfect projects” will have encountered some issues.
So being a perfect project manager is an unattainable aim, and it is fair to suggest that there really is no such thing as a perfect project manager. Maybe instead we should focus on what skills, traits and experience make a project manager as good at delivering successful projects as possible.
Definitions don’t make a project manager
While it is of no real benefit to define individual project managers as “good” or “bad”, there are certainly project managers who deliver projects, but even arbitrary definitions such as these do not necessarily reflect in a successful project result. That’s because, no matter how well-planned and executed a project is, there is always the possibility of unexpected risks and other external influences knocking it off course. This can be irrespective of skills and traits that make a project manager suited to their job.
A good project manager will, however, use all the tools at their disposal to carry out careful planning of a project. They will establish a viable project schedule, make thorough risk assessments. They will also have great communication skills – including listening to the members of their team and taking on board their suggestions. A good project manager will also be adaptable to change within the project.
More importantly a good project manager is one who knows that they will make mistakes, is willing to correct them and is always looking for new ways to learn more about project management so that they can be the best at what they do.
Whilst there is certainly no such thing as the perfect project manager there is almost certainly a project manager who is striving to make themselves the best at doing their job as possible. If you accept that there are always skills to be improved and more learning to undertake then you really will be as close to this as possible.
