A Project Manager is a professional who helps to oversee special projects from initiation to completion. They work across various industries and often manage multiple projects simultaneously. Project managers serve as the point of contact between the project team and the management.
The work and skills required by a Project Manager are vast. They must have a strong technical understanding of the project and be efficient in its business and financial aspects.
In this article, we will cover who is a Project Manager, how to become a Project Manager, their responsibilities, and the qualifications required.
Table of Contents
What are the Main Duties and Responsibilities of a Project Manager?
Those who wish to learn how to become a Project Manager must first learn that a Project Manager is a skilled professional who is organised at handling multiple projects. This includes budgets, resource allocation, conflict resolution, and project progress.
Project managers are also tasked with delivering the project on time. While the deadline is important, they must also ensure that the project stays within budget and passes all the quality checks.
Listed below are the main duties and responsibilities of a Project Manager.
1. Plan the Project
A Project Manager is involved in a project from conceptualisation and helps to define the objectives and set a budget. They also decide on timelines for each stage of the project.
2. Lead the Team
One of the importantproject manager’s responsibilities is to assemble and lead the team to complete a project. They delegate tasks according to the expertise of each member and maintain a clear chain of command.
3. Monitor Progress
A Project Manager might hold regular meetings to check progress and whether all quality checks are being met. Most managers integrate technology into the process to track and measure performance through automated systems.
4. Resolve Issues
One of the project manager’s duties is to resolve conflicts and issues without bias. This helps maintain a positive work environment. While searching for how to become a Project Manager, students should also study the responsibilities to gain an understanding of the broad range of duties required in the role.
5. Manage Budget
Project managers must have basic knowledge of accounting and finance to help them track spending and monitor transactions. This will also help a project manager allocate resources efficiently and keep spending within the allocated budget.
6. Communicate with Stakeholders
Another responsibility of a Project Manager is to maintain contact with upper management and update them regarding the progress and any unexpected challenges they might be facing. At the same time, they must also communicate with their team and help resolve their concerns.
7. Evaluate Overall Performance
Once the project is complete, conducting an overall performance review is necessary to mark areas for improvement. They should also apply the lessons they learn to future projects.
Read more on Project Management: A Critical Life Skill here
What are the Skills and Qualities of a Project Manager?
A Project Manager requires a diverse set of skills to manage various tasks for multiple projects. They require a mix of technical and interpersonal skills to manage all aspects of a project. Mastering project management software such as Trello or Gantt also helps to optimise operations.
Before learning how to become a Project Manager, one can examine the skills and qualities of a Project Manager:
- Problem-solving: While project managers assess risks before beginning a project, unexpected challenges can arise. An inherent quality of a Project Manager is to solve problems quickly and efficiently after considering various factors and scenarios.
- Time Management: They need to learn to become skilled at managing time. This can be achieved using project management software that tracks deadlines and progress.
- Technical Expertise: Having technical expertise in the field can help project managers better assess risk and understand the demands of a project. It also provides them with a better understanding of budgets and resource allocation.
- Leadership: While searching for how to become a Project Manager, individuals should also examine the skills needed for the job, such as leadership. Project Managers require strong leadership qualities to motivate the team, develop collaborative relationships, and help resolve conflicts.
- Negotiation: This is an excellent skill to have because a good negotiator gets what they need while maintaining a cordial relationship. Negotiation comes in handy when discussing budgets, setting pricing with vendors, and asking for a deadline extension.
- Adaptable: Unexpected challenges are expected in large projects, but a Project Manager should be able to quickly adapt to the changed circumstances and apply a different approach.
Educational and Professional Requirements
For students wondering how to become a Project Manager in South Africa, the first step is to enrol in an undergraduate programme. Students can choose to complete a technical or a business programme to gain entry into the field of project management.
The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) offered by Regenesys Business School is a three-year accredited programme that includes subjects on Project Management. Students acquire foundational business knowledge from expert faculty, enabling them to evaluate and understand the key elements critical to a project’s success.
Another option is to pursue a technical undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Engineering. After gaining practical experience, students can complete a short course in Project Management or enrol in a Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme.
Read more on Project Management Bursaries in South Africa
What is the Project Manager Salary in South Africa?
Though we covered how to become a Project Manager, it is also important to know their earnings. This can help students and individuals understand if a career as a Project Manager offers a high return on investment.
According to Talent.com, the average Project Manager salary in South Africa is R600,000 as of December 2024. Entry-level project managers typically make around R360,000, while experienced project managers can make up to R6,754,582. However, these figures tend to vary depending on the industry a Project Manager is employed in. Industries such as energy, finance, and healthcare pay higher wages.
The table below compares the salaries of project managers across various industries in South Africa. The salaries are sourced from Talent.com and Indeed.com and are updated as of December 2024.
| Industry | Average Annual Salary |
| Construction | R480,000 |
| Information Technology | R660,000 |
| Healthcare | R652,540 |
| Finance | R512,989 |
| Energy | R639,387 |
| Manufacturing | R460,000 |
What are the Steps to Becoming a Project Manager in South Africa?
A Project Manager can have a highly rewarding career since they work on a variety of projects and are involved in all stages. On any given day, they are faced with different challenges and have to analyse various outputs before coming to a decision. This removes the repetitive nature that can come with certain other job profiles.
This field is ideal for anyone who is organised, values solving problems and working with a collaborative team to achieve a common goal.
Those who are interested in learning how to become a Project Manager must know the following steps:
- Complete an undergraduate degree
- Gain relevant work experience
- Gain a Project Management Certification or complete a short course
- Develop interpersonal skills
- Build a network
- Apply for open Project Management positions
Conclusion
Becoming a Project Manager is a rewarding career choice, and offers the opportunity to oversee and guide projects from initiation to completion across various industries. As a Project Manager, individuals must combine technical expertise and interpersonal skills to effectively manage teams, budgets, and timelines.
For those wondering how to become a Project Manager, the path may vary. Students can gain entry into the field after completing a business degree or complete a professional programme followed by work experience before transitioning into Project Management.
Those interested in a career in Project Management can check the various business programmed available at Regenesys. These are available at the undergraduate and postgraduate level and are available online as well.
How to Become a Project Manager? – FAQs
How to become a Project Manager?
Students can complete an undergraduate programme, gain work experience, enrol for a Project Management Certification, acquire interpersonal skills, and apply for a Project Management role.
What does a Project Manager do?
A Project Manager helps to oversee projects from conception to completion.
What is the Project Manager salary in South Africa?
The average annual salary for a project manager in South Africa is R600,000. Entry-level project managers earn around R360,000, while experienced professionals can earn up to R6,754,582, depending on the industry.
What are a project manager’s duties?
They are responsible for managing budgets, resources, teams, and timelines, ensuring the project meets its objectives within the defined scope.
Where can I study project management?
Various private institutes offer Project Management Certification courses in South Africa.
What is the role of a Project Manager?
Once students understand how to become a Project Manager, they realise their role includes overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of a project.
Is it possible to become a Project Manager without a technical degree?
It is possible to become a Project Manager without a technical degree. A Bachelor of Business Administration such as the one offered by Regenesys Business School, also prepares students for a project management role.
What are the Project Manager’s requirements?
Project Managers must have an undergraduate degree, preferably related to the field in which they wish to work. Additionally, they can also complete a Project Management certification.
