{"id":8126,"date":"2024-08-14T09:08:49","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T09:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/?p=8126"},"modified":"2024-10-24T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T00:00:00","slug":"what-makes-a-good-project-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/what-makes-a-good-project-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a Good Project Manager: 13 Qualities You Need to Have"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re second-guessing yourself about becoming a project manager, you\u2019re probably right to do so!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project management is one of the most challenging career paths you can take, so you shouldn\u2019t just rush in blindly. To excel in this line of work, you need a wide range of skills and aptitudes \u2014 and some of them might surprise you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Want to find out more about what\u2019s expected from you and what qualities you need to succeed in this career? Read on for a closer look at what it takes to be a good project manager!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover-1024x512.png\" alt=\"What makes a good project manager - cover\" class=\"wp-image-8123\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover-18x9.png 18w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/What-makes-a-good-project-manager-cover.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-most-important-qualities-of-a-good-project-manager\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are the most important qualities of a good project manager?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/what-project-managers-do\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project manager<\/a> needs to have many exceptional qualities. Some of them are innate, while others are developed through training and experience. Either way, they\u2019re all equally vital if you want to succeed in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Project managers who stand out are usually the ones who embody everything an ideal project manager should be. This includes things such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Superb organizational skills,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Excellent leadership,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creative problem-solving skills, and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The willingness to go above and beyond to deliver optimal results.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a lot more to it, so let\u2019s break down the 13 most important characteristics of a project manager in more detail.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"good-communication-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good communication skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s impossible to overstate how <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/communication-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">important communication is in project management<\/a>, especially for remote teams. And that importance is doubled for project managers, for a number of reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Put simply, a manager has to be accurate and efficient in their communication, regardless of the medium. On top of that, they need to know which medium they should use in which situation, and how to use it effectively.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Poor communication skills can result in inefficient use of time, or \u2014 in the worst case \u2014 costly mistakes due to miscommunication. And if vital communication is spread out across multiple channels, these issues become even more problematic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Centralize team communication in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"top-notch-organizational-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top-notch organizational skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a project manager, your job is to create and maintain the project plan. This involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/resource-allocation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Allocating resources<\/a>,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Creating a project time frame,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Managing workloads,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prioritizing tasks,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintaining loads of documentation, and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicating not just with your team members, but also with external stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a lot \u2014 and we\u2019ve only scratched the surface!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The only way you\u2019ll be able to stay afloat amidst this sea of information you have to navigate is by having exceptional organizational skills. And even then, you\u2019ll need a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Plaky<\/a> by <a href=\"https:\/\/cake.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAKE.com<\/a> to help you do everything listed above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Plaky Tutorial: Organizing Boards\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yFrUjeQ22js?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Improve your organizational skills with Plaky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may have to manage a few different teams (and their workloads) at a time, adding yet another thing to your seemingly never-ending list of tasks. But don&#8217;t worry \u2014 here&#8217;s how to effectively manage multiple teams without losing your mind:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/manage-multiple-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Manage Multiple Teams: A 3-Step Guide + Expert Advice<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"flexibility\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mollyberan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Molly Beran<\/a>, a PMP-certified project manager, flexibility is one of the most important qualities of a project manager, as you frequently have to adapt on the fly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>No project ever goes according to plan. Some go much more quickly, some drag on for longer than anyone thought. A good project manager is able to change and adapt quickly to changing circumstances so that the project can continue moving forward<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For all these reasons and more, a project manager simply needs to have an agile mindset \u2014 even if they\u2019re not using <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/agile-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Agile<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Customize your project workflow in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"stakeholder-management-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stakeholder management skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Project managers are at the center of the project. They have to manage everything, including<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/stakeholder-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> stakeholders<\/a>. And this is the really tricky bit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See, a stakeholder is any person (or even organization) who can have an impact on the project. In a large organization, this can include many higher-ups \u2014 and that\u2019s just if we take internal stakeholders into consideration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make things even trickier, you\u2019ll often run into situations where many of these stakeholders won\u2019t have the same attitudes toward your project. Some may be its champions, others its detractors who think your project resources should be used elsewhere. Some may be more risk-averse than others \u2014 you get the picture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, if you want to be an effective project manager, you need to know how to manage all stakeholders \u2014 their expectations, buy-in, communication, etc. If you don\u2019t, they could spell doom for your project, and lead to major issues with funding, scope creep, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ability-to-facilitate-change\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ability to facilitate change<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In large organizations, change just happens \u2014 and there\u2019s often nothing you can do about it. Maybe higher management has decided to make sweeping changes to workflows or wants to switch to different tools. Maybe new legislation demands changes in project execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever the case, people tend to not like change. The friction caused by this can seriously affect the performance of your project team if they\u2019re not on board with the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good project managers help out their teammates \u2014 and other stakeholders \u2014 through this transitional period. They try to secure stakeholder buy-in and then work to reinforce the changes after they\u2019ve been implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The burden of change doesn\u2019t always fall on the shoulders of project managers. Large organizations may have a dedicated change manager whose job is to ensure transitions go smoothly. This article explains the differences between project and change management:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/change-management-vs-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Change Management vs. Project Management: Key Differences Explained<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ability-to-see-the-big-picture\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ability to see the big picture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we\u2019re not even halfway through this text, and we\u2019ve already covered a ton of things project managers are <em>expected<\/em> to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re overwhelmed just reading about it, can you imagine how it must feel to be at the very center of a project? Swamped by deadlines, schedules, risks, stakeholders, and so on, inexperienced PMs sometimes have trouble seeing the forest for the trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But that\u2019s not something they can afford to do. A project manager must always remain aware of the big picture and steer the project toward it. This means understanding where your project fits within the larger corporate context.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding not just the scope of the<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/deliverable-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> final deliverable<\/a>, but also its function and the organizational objectives it aims to fulfill, will elevate you to the ranks of great project managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"risk-anticipation-and-management-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Risk anticipation and management skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Risk management is a crucial skill for any project manager, but what makes amazing project managers truly stand out is their ability to anticipate most<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/risk-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> project risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/risk-management-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> risk management<\/a> efforts can only be as good as your risk identification skills. If you\u2019re aware of a risk, you can track it, mitigate it, or respond to it when it turns into an issue.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, issues that were never on your radar in the first place can cause major setbacks or even completely stop the project in its tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good project managers rarely, if ever, get blindsided by unknown risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manage all project risks in Plaky by CAKE.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to improve risk identification is by performing a SWOT analysis. This requires you to analyze your project strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, which naturally forces you to think about the risks your project is susceptible to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/swot-analysis-in-project-management\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/swot-analysis-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SWOT Analysis in Project Management: All You Should Know in One Place<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ability-to-avoid-unnecessary-project-assumptions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ability to avoid unnecessary project assumptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Factors we consider to be true, without any actual proof, are <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/project-assumptions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project assumptions<\/a>. You can\u2019t escape making them, as most projects are initiated on the back of promising assumptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the continuous development of Plaky \u2014 our <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/project-management-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project management software<\/a> \u2014 operates under the assumption that there is room for it in a saturated market. We think other project management tools are all overpriced for what they offer and that most of them are too restrictive and too confusing for non-engineers to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By speccing Plaky\u2019s development to the needs and requirements of our teams (engineering as well as marketing, support, content, HR, etc.) and keeping the costs low, our assumption is that the end product will still attract enough users to be profitable on its own merit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the more implicit assumptions you make, the higher the chance some of them will turn out to not be true and come back to bite you. In a sense, every project assumption is a project risk, especially when project managers don\u2019t explicitly state these assumptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good project manager is aware of the assumptions they make and makes sure to write them down and share them. That way, their team members can correct them if they catch something wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can learn more about how and why we\u2019ve built Plaky \u2014 along with some teasers of future features \u2014 in this article:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/how-and-why-we-built-plaky\/\">Turning a Great Idea into Reality: How &amp; Why We Built Plaky<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"reliable-leadership\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reliable leadership<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Much like with communication, more goes into quality leadership than some might think.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A leader isn\u2019t someone who just issues orders from a position of authority. They also empathize, build rapport, delegate effectively, and motivate their team to work together toward a project\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, a good project manager has to lead by example and embody all the qualities they want to see in their team. Demonstrating accountability and trust goes a long way if you want to see them in your team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>\ud83d\udca1 <\/strong><strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good leader knows the importance of promoting autonomy in their team. If that\u2019s something you\u2019re struggling with, check out the article below for some specific tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cake.com\/blog\/autonomy-in-the-workplace\/\">4 Proven Leader Tips to Foster Autonomy in the Workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"creative-problem-solving-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Creative problem-solving skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Whenever organizational mishaps or complications pop up, the project manager needs to be able to come up with a solution quickly to keep the project on track. Creativity plays a big role here, as project managers always work within certain <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/project-constraints\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project constraints<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong problem-solving skills help project managers adapt to changing situations efficiently, resolve conflicts, and even develop new and innovative ways to handle similar issues in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep track of project constraints in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"dedication-and-responsibility\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dedication and responsibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The project manager is responsible for a project\u2019s ultimate outcome, so it goes without saying that it\u2019s a high-responsibility role. Their work doesn\u2019t just reflect on them but on the company\u2019s bottom line, its reputation, and its employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, there is no room for half-done jobs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A project manager needs to be dedicated and always working toward the best outcome. They give their utmost, take responsibility for their mistakes, and do their best to correct them when they happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"good-listening-skills\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Good listening skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Another important quality Molly Beran emphasizes is being a good listener:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cAs much as project managers will talk to leadership and update teams about the status of a project, I find that the best project managers actually listen to their teams.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cIs someone overwhelmed with outside work? A good listener will hear that in a person&#8217;s tone, or notice patterns in how they speak about their workload week over week (even without the team member directly saying it \u2014 no one likes to admit they are in over their head).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>She goes on to elaborate that being a good listener also means knowing when and where to listen since you can\u2019t hear everything every team member says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cLikewise, a good project manager will realize that they can&#8217;t be in absolutely every meeting about their project, which means that they need to be listening in other venues for updates that may impact their project.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I see this all the time in IT \u2014 at a team meeting, someone on a completely different team will announce an outage of a particular technology on an upcoming weekend, which may be the same weekend we were planning on pushing updates to that very piece of technology. A good project manager will catch updates no matter the forum, and pass along updates that will impact their projects.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ability-to-handle-pressure\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ability to handle pressure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even though not all projects are inherently stressful, there will always be some degree of pressure to contend with. Every project will have a schedule, unforeseen complications, and financial stakeholders who expect a good return on their investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As such, a successful project manager is one who knows how to manage stress and work under pressure. They have to be able to stay focused and thrive in critical situations, and they need to represent a stable anchor for the project team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get started with Plaky by CAKE.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-be-a-good-project-manager-top-10-things-to-work-on\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to be a good project manager: Top 10 things to work on<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>And yet \u2014 simply having the right project manager traits and characteristics is only half the deal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An exceptional project manager should always be looking to improve their skill set and optimize their performance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way to improve is to take on more projects. \u201c<em>Practice makes perfect,<\/em>\u201d as Molly Beran put it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>The more projects you manage over time, the more you will start to grow and truly develop the skills you need to run projects well. I\u2019ve found this true for anything I\u2019ve wanted to develop in my life \u2014 playing musical instruments, learning new sports, and yes, managing projects.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But, here are some pointers to focus on while taking on more projects to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"ask-questions-mostly-why\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ask questions, mostly \u201cwhy\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As a project manager, your job is to understand everything about the project. The best way to do this is to ask <em>why<\/em>, repeatedly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An engineer is pushing for some<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/gold-plating-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> gold plating<\/a>?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhy?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it\u2019s just to impress the client, risking<a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/scope-creep-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> scope creep<\/a> and delays just isn\u2019t worth it. On the other hand, if it will somehow streamline the production pipeline down the line, maybe you should approve the idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Molly Beran put it, one of the ways to become a better project manager is to follow your curiosity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Asking questions is a great way to start understanding the work of the projects you are managing and is also a great way to root out issues (sometimes before they happen). Embracing your natural curiosity and asking questions as they arise is a great way to become a better project manager.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"delegate\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Delegate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s a lot that project managers are accountable for. The larger the project, the more moving parts they are directly in charge of. It\u2019s simply impossible for them to do everything on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, a good project manager must master the art of <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/delegating-tasks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">task delegation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, risk management typically involves tracking risks. Most projects have lengthy risk registers. Tracking all of them, when you\u2019ve got a million other responsibilities, just isn\u2019t realistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why good project managers assign risks to their team members. Everyone is in charge of keeping tabs on certain risks, preferably those related to their position. The project manager is still accountable for these risks, but they can delegate the responsibility to their trusted colleagues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If not, they either simply won\u2019t stay on top of the project or they\u2019ll resort to micromanaging everything. Both of these routes lead to disaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Manage your team&#8217;s workload in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"prioritize\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prioritize<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In theory, project plans run like clockwork. They cover the budget, define the scope \u2014 which doesn\u2019t change \u2014 and outline the <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/project-timeline\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">timeline<\/a>. One successfully carried out project plan later, and the final deliverable is completed, on time, on budget, and specced to the initial scope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is, of course, a project management fantasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reality is different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scope changes, deadlines get pushed, and budgets run out. Most projects have at least one constraint that they absolutely cannot budge on \u2014 not that anyone\u2019s happy about this, it\u2019s just the way it is. Usually, this is the quality, but, in some cases, it might be the deadline \u2014 if the product needs to be ready for the holiday season, for example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Only through effective prioritization can you ensure that your project doesn\u2019t encroach on its most important constraint.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1113\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky.png\" alt=\"Impact effort prioritization board shown in Plaky project management software\" class=\"wp-image-7156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky.png 2048w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky-1024x557.png 1024w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky-768x417.png 768w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky-1536x835.png 1536w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Tracking-impact-and-effort-values-in-Plaky-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Use an impact-effort board to prioritize tasks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep track of task priority in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"break-down-tasks\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Break down tasks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Molly Beran, aspiring project managers should focus on taking big goals and breaking them down into actionable steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cOne of the first things you need to be able to do as a project manager is take something big (i.e., the overall goal of your project), and break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This is a skill that some of us develop naturally but comes less easily to others.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cBefore you get into managing teams and projects, it&#8217;s important that you can think through breaking down work into its component pieces or tasks. Once you can master that skill, you can build a project plan you actually understand and help others adhere to it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"744\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1.png\" alt=\"A project broken down into phases in Plaky project management software\" class=\"wp-image-8802\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1.png 1200w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1-300x186.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1-1024x635.png 1024w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1-768x476.png 768w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Example-of-work-breakdown-in-Plaky-1-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Example of work breakdown in Plaky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"credit-others\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Credit others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A recurring complaint about project managers that you\u2019ll see on public forums is about them stealing credit. Something to the tune of \u201c<em>Instead of forwarding my email, the PM just copied it and sent it to his superiors, taking all the credit<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There seem to be a lot of project managers who hog the spotlight and only share \u2014 or wholly deflect \u2014 blame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this kind of toxic behavior will only lead to mediocrity in the long run. Tired of having their credit stolen, team members will either stop trying or try to undermine the PM. Not that we blame them, but that\u2019s just wasted effort that could be spent on the project itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Needless to say, good project managers do the complete opposite \u2014 they share success, give due credit, and own failures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"rely-on-others\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rely on others<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading through all of these requirements, it\u2019s easy to get discouraged and feel as if the whole world is on your shoulders as a project manager. But that shouldn\u2019t be the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we asked Molly what advice she would give to her younger self who\u2019s just starting out as a project manager, her response was \u201c<em>You don\u2019t have to do this all by yourself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png\" alt=\"Molly Beran\" class=\"wp-image-7894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran.png 500w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Molly-Beran-12x12.png 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cEarly on in my career, I thought I had to handle everything and know everything about my project. And I thought that, if something didn&#8217;t go according to plan, it was 100% my fault. I spent months agonizing over my first projects, and I see now that the agony and suffering were a little pointless.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>\u201cNo single person is solely responsible for a project, and it literally takes an entire team to get work done. Understanding that a project manager is a leader and supervisor of work, but not the only person accountable for the success of a project, is something that I think would have brought me a lot more comfort early on in my career.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Try Plaky by CAKE.com today<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"focus-on-team-building\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Focus on team building<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many barriers naturally occur in newly formed project teams, such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Poor communication,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lack of commitment,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Senior management meddling, or<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Undefined leadership.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This is especially true in teams whose members haven\u2019t already worked together, where you can inevitably expect some inter-team conflicts to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things that could help good project managers stand out is to get ahead of this issue through effective team building and leadership.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not just about assembling a team of individuals who\u2019re able to perform solo but don\u2019t know how to spell <em>teamwork<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Great project managers actively work to build trust and camaraderie within their team, thereby greatly enhancing overall performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 Plaky Pro Tip<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about team building in project management, what difficulties you can expect, and how to overcome them, check out this guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/team-building-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What You Need to Know About Building a Team in Project Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"get-certified\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get certified<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Not all project managers need to be certified (in fact, most aren\u2019t!). However, there are major benefits to getting certified in project management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, preparing for the exam will let you gain new knowledge and skills that you might lack, especially if you\u2019re just starting out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Second, being certified will open up more job opportunities. Some high-end jobs will require a certification \u2014 and even if they don\u2019t, it will help you stand out from other candidates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, according to PMI, certified project managers are usually paid more than their non-certified counterparts. The difference usually ranges from 16% to 32%, which isn\u2019t exactly pocket change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about what project management certifications you can get and which might be best for you, take a look at the article below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/learn\/project-management\/project-management-certifications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Project Management Certifications<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"reflect-on-your-performance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Reflect on your performance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No matter how prepared or experienced you are, you will make mistakes along the way. The key here is to make those mistakes productive by learning from them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you were able to successfully complete a project with no major mistakes, there are always lessons to be learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By reflecting on the performance of the project and on your own performance as a manager, you stand to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Expand your skills,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimize mistakes,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase efficiency,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve your project success rates, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep track of project performance in Plaky<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Plaky Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learn how to properly capture lessons learned in the post below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/lessons-learned-in-project-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Document Lessons Learned in Project Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"use-the-right-tools\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the right tools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As technology is advancing rapidly, project managers need to stay ahead of the curve. A crucial part of this is identifying and picking the best tools to maintain efficiency \u2014 and make their jobs easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, many workplaces still use spreadsheets to manage projects and email as the primary means of communication, which is a bad idea for many reasons.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Among other things, spreadsheets are prone to mistakes and have limited collaboration features. Meanwhile, email makes it rather easy for important documents to get lost.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"866\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky.png\" alt=\"A resource planning board in Plaky project management software\" class=\"wp-image-8125\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky.png 1200w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky-300x217.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky-1024x739.png 1024w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky-768x554.png 768w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Resource-planning-in-Plaky-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Table view in Plaky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In contrast, specialized <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/project-management-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project management software<\/a> like Plaky provides an antidote to all these issues. It unifies task tracking, scheduling, and communication features in one platform, making organization much easier and faster \u2014 not to mention more user-friendly for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Create a free Plaky account<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"need-to-elevate-your-performance-try-plaky-by-cake-com\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Need to elevate your performance? Try Plaky by CAKE.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While project management is challenging, you can use technology to simplify it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A cloud-based project management tool such as Plaky is easy to adopt and use by the whole team \u2014 <em>and<\/em> it provides a variety of useful features that conventional planning tools might lack, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Seamless collaboration and communication through a unified platform,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Effortless and accurate scheduling with the help of <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/gantt-chart-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gantt charts<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Convenient project setup with various pre-made <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/templates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">project management templates<\/a>,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easier accountability with a fully transparent <a href=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/help\/manage-project-in-plaky\/board\/activity-log\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">activity log<\/a>, and much more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view.png\" alt=\"A project Gantt chart shown in Plaky project management software\" class=\"wp-image-8124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view.png 1200w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view-300x124.png 300w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view-1024x423.png 1024w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view-768x317.png 768w, https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/A-project-timeline-in-Plakys-Gantt-view-18x7.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A project timeline in Plaky\u2019s Gantt view<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Essentially, Plaky can greatly help with all manners of project management struggles, as it lets you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a comprehensive and dynamic overview of your projects,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organize tasks easily and accurately, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Communicate effortlessly with your team \u2014 anytime and anywhere.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Ready to try project management on easy mode and improve your performance? Create a free Plaky account today!&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/app.plaky.com\/signup\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get started with Plaky by CAKE.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a project manager, you need great communication, leadership, and organizational skills. Learn more about what makes a good project manager.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":8122,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8126","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-project-management"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8126","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/22"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8126"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8126\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17316,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8126\/revisions\/17316"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8126"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8126"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/plaky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8126"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}