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A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. They have the responsibility of the planning and execution of any project, typically relating to construction industry, architecture or software development. Many other fields in the production, design and service industries also have project managers.

A project manager's only duty is to ensure the success of a project by minimizing risk throughout the lifetime of the project. This is done through a variety of methods, both formal and informal. A project manager will usually have to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions, and resolve interpersonal conflicts, as well as use more systematic management skills.

Contents 1 Risk 2 Construction Project Manager 3 Architectural Project Manager 4 Software Project Manager 5 Education and Industry Certifications 6 See also

Main article: Risk

Most of the project management issues that impact a project arise from risk, which in turn arises from uncertainty. The successful project manager is one who focuses on this as their main concern. A successful project manager reduces risk significantly, often by adhering to a policy of open communication, ensuring that every significant participant has an opportunity to express opinions and concerns.

It follows from the above that the project manager is one who is responsible for making decisions both small and large, in such a way that risk is controlled and uncertainty minimized. Every decision made by the project manager should be taken in such a way that it directly benefits the project.

When recruiting and building an effective team, the manager must consider not only the technical skills of each person, but also the critical roles and chemistry between workers. A project team has mainly three separate components:

• Project Manager
• Core Team
• Contracted Team

In the past, construction project managers were individuals who worked in construction or supporting industries and were promoted to foreman. It was not until the late 20th century that construction and construction project management became distinct fields.

The profession has recently grown to accommodate several dozen Construction Management Bachelor of Science programs.

Until recently, the industry lacked any level of standardization, with individual States determining the eligibility requirements within their jurisdiction.

However, several Trade associations based in the United States have made strides in creating a commonly-accepted set of qualifications and tests to determine a project manager's competency.

• The Project Management Institute has made some headway into being a standardizing body with its creation of the Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
• The Constructor Certification Commission of the American Institute of Constructors holds semiannual nationwide tests. Eight American Construction Management programs require that students take these exams before they may receive their Bachelor of Science in Construction Management degree, and 15 other Universities actively encourage their students to consider the exams.
• The Associated Colleges of Construction Education, and the Associated Schools of Construction have made considerable progress in developing national standards for construction education programs.-

(See also: Construction management)

An architectural project manager has many of the same skills as their counterpart in the construction industry. An architect will often work closely with the construction project manager in the office of the General contractor (GC), and at the same time, coordinate the work of the design team and numerous consultants who contribute to a construction project, and manage communication with the client. The issues of budget, scheduling, and quality-control are the responsibility of the Project Manager in an architect's office.

A software project manager is a project manager with a firm background in software development and related fields. They are often responsible for overseeing the Software development life cycle.

Unlike traditional project management, where a heavyweight, predictive methodology such as the waterfall model is often employed, software project management must deal with a much greater amount of uncertainty, so it tends toward lightweight, adaptive models such as SCRUM, XP and DSDM. Software project managers are responsible not only for implementing a successful development model, but also for seeing that each phase of development is successful.

Individuals wishing to obtain professional certifications may take one or more of the offerings available from a variety of organizations. The Project Management Institute offers 'Certified Associate Project Manager' (CAPM) and Project Management Professional (PMP®) certifications. The Canadian Construction Association CCA offers Gold Seal Certificate GSC as Project Manager. The UK Office of Government Commerce offers PRINCE2 certification. The Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) offers Registered Project Manager (RegPM) certification. There are other graduate degrees in project and technology management, such as an MSPM.

• Project planning
• Master of Science in Project Management
• Project Management Institute