Take a moment to contemplate your current employment or a profession that you find intriguing.
Even if you don’t perceive yourself as a project manager, numerous job roles nowadays necessitate project management abilities.
Examine the six areas where project managers need to cultivate their skills. Which ones do you believe are essential for your job? What areas do you need to improve upon?
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Time management
- Understanding the regulatory environment
- Ethics and adherence to standards
- Continual professional development
Ponder potential steps you might consider taking to bridge these skill gaps and contribute them to the discussion group.
Comment Below
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I see communication as a vital part in project management, the way you pass your message or information, is going to be way is going to be followed or adhered to. So one’s communication needs to be clean, clear and concise.
On time management, also an important part to PM what I have learnt and taking as my motto: time, quality and cost.
What ever plan you make or want to do shouldn’t not be time draining and exhausting, while the cost go to negotiating
I’m currently an undergraduate student that’s trying to build my knowledge in tech and solve problems in companies and organizations….. Based on the skills listed above…. I’m really trying to improve when it comes to negotiation and understanding the environment.
As for continual professional development and abiding to ethics and regulations, that’s my watch word.
Then my for my communication skills….I believe I still need more work on that.
The importance of communication cannot be overemphasized as it plans ana crucial role is getting jobs done efficiently. Currently I work in the healthcare were I engage with both internal and external stakeholders on a daily basis.
However, I am taking a course on communication with executive stakeholders to enable me communicate effectively with all stakeholders.
I am also working hard to improve on my negation skill by enrolling in online courses and attending seminars.
Time management has helped me prioritize my data-to-day activities by scheduling jobs based on their importance and urgency.
Though am making efforts to improve on my time management skills and other skills that impact my job professionally .
Project management skills Discussion.
Communication: Practicing daily through my role as a Student Welfare Officer in professional interactions with staff and students.As a Student Welfare Officer at the biggest learning institution in Zambia, I may not carry the title of project manager, but my role demands many of the same competencies. Of the six areas listed, Communication is the skill my job requires most.
3. Negotiation :Currently undertaking a short course in Project Management with DEXA, which covers negotiation as a key competency.
4. Time management :Using tools like Trello and Asana to manage tasks across my job and university studies.
5. Understanding the regulatory environment: Building knowledge through my BBA programme and staying updated on relevant industry regulations.
6.Ethics and adherence to standards : Upheld through my experience in data management, confidentiality, and institutional compliance.
Continual professional development Actively pursuing certifications and currently enrolled in a BBA degree at Cavendish University Zambia.
To be truthful am aware of what Project Management entails as I covers most of it’s in my daily activities in my onljne education work field.
Here is my Core Responsibilities as at present.
A. Administrative Support
Handle day-to-day administrative tasks assigned by the Academic Program Manager or Founders
Maintain organized records of students, teachers, and parents
Update internal trackers, spreadsheets, and databases accurately
Assist with onboarding documentation for students and teachers
B. Communication & Correspondence
Respond to general enquiries via WhatsApp, email, and other official channels
Acknowledge parent and teacher messages promptly and escalate when necessary
Share official announcements, reminders, and updates as instructed
Maintain a polite, professional, and empathetic communication tone at all times
C. Scheduling & Coordination
Support class scheduling and rescheduling requests
Assist in tracking missed classes and notify the Academic Program Manager
Send reminders to parents and teachers about upcoming classes or changes (Reminders should be sent every day to each student having classes that day, and the reminder for classes should be sent at least 1 hour before class time). If the student or teacher doesn’t join the class in 3-5mins, you are to call the teacher or parent.
Assist with booking consultation calls when required (The Founders or the APM will be the one to handle the call. My duty is to help schedule the call if necessary)
D. Website & Data Support
Assist parents and teachers with basic website navigation issues
Ensure student and teacher information is correctly entered on the platform
Report technical issues to the Academic Program Manager immediately
Update student status (active, paused, completed) as directed
E. Documentation & Reporting
Maintain accurate attendance records (Record the names of students we have for each month)
Document parent feedback and complaints
Prepare basic weekly reports for review by the Academic Program Manager
Ensure all files and records are properly named and stored
3. Daily Responsibilities
Check and respond to official communication channels
Update attendance and class records (This is done by the teachers but make sure they are accurate and up-to-date)
Follow up on pending tasks or unresolved requests
Support parents and teachers with basic enquiries, and send daily reminders for classes
Check all students’ wallets on the website, and send reminders for payment to students low on funds.
4. Weekly Responsibilities
Assist with onboarding new students and teachers
Send weekly reminders or updates as directed
Assist in reviewing attendance and flag inconsistencies
Submit weekly activity summary to the APM
5. Monthly Responsibilities
Support monthly teacher performance review preparation
Assist with parent feedback collection
Update student and teacher records
Help with internal audits of data and documentation
6. Am expected to escalate the following to the Academic Program Manager:
Parent complaints beyond basic enquiries
Repeated teacher lateness or absenteeism reports
Technical issues affecting classes
Any sensitive or confidential matter
7. Expected to use organisation website and learning platform
WhatsApp Business and official communication channels
Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive)
Email for formal communication
8. Represent the organisation professionally at all times
Maintain confidentiality of all data
Be courteous, patient, and solution-oriented
Follow internal processes and instructions strictly
Uphold organisation values of integrity, excellence, and care
9. Accuracy of records and documentation
Responsiveness to communication
Reliability and task completion
Feedback from parents, teachers, and internal team
10. Am expected to be proactive, organized, and detail-oriented, contributing to a seamless learning experience for parents, students, and educators
I strongly belive more in self development which is one of the reasons I joined this learning platform,
For more knowledge because it gives room for more opportunities to impact others.
As a professional banker in my current practice:
1. Communication
Communication is a key component because information is time and money in this industry. Customers must be updated promptly on any issues that could disrupt their businesses.
Action plan: Provide customers with prompt updates regarding service failures so they are prepared.
2. Negotiation
Negotiation is essential for driving business growth and increasing organizational profit. Different customers have different priorities, and no two deals are the same.
Action plan: Understand each customer’s specific needs and negotiate solutions tailored to them using the services our institution provides.
3. Time Management
Time is of great value to customers. Failing to keep appointments, arriving late, or not communicating delays can send the wrong message and damage trust. Service disruptions can also derail carefully planned schedules.
Action plan: Practice effective time management to ensure reliable and timely delivery.
4.Regulatory Knowledge
Knowledge of regulatory bodies and their sanctions is necessary. Staying updated helps avoid penalties and ensures compliance with policy, which reflects strong professional character.
Action plan: Regularly review regulatory updates and operate strictly by the policy guidelines.
5. Ethics
Ethics is fundamental when engaging customers. You will sometimes be at a disadvantage because professional guidelines must be upheld. This is especially true when dealing with diverse clients who vary in communication style and expectations.
Action plan: Maintain integrity and adhere to ethical standards in all customer interactions.
6. Continuous Development
Continuous development is very important to me as a sales professional transitioning into full project management. That is why I am taking this course and plan to pursue further ones. I am also taking on projects to build practical experience.
Action plan: Continue structured learning and apply skills through hands-on project work.
I happen to be involved in a lot of things professionally but I’ll pick Catering and Event Management to deliberate on because that’s the job that fills my pockets the most.
Looking at the 6 skills a PM should be versed with, I’ll admit that I have some issues with negotiation
Negotiation: My ability to effectively come to an agreement with clients especially one that benefits me is almost non-existent because excessive empathy stands in the way of my understanding that the agreement should be beneficial to me as much as it is to them. To improve this, I will take note of the points emphasized in the lesson. Before every negotiation, I have to take into consideration the objectives of the negotiation as it favours both parties, understanding the economic aspects involved in the negotiation and what value both parties can scoop out of the negotiation and finalize how the collaboration will be maintained and managed.
My line of work is in construction, and in this field, project management is not just important, it’s at the core of everything we do. Every project, from start to finish, depends heavily on how well it is planned, coordinated, and executed. Because of this, all six skill areas are relevant, but some stand out more in my day-to-day work.
For me, time management and understanding the regulatory environment are especially critical. Construction projects are extremely time sensitive, with tight deadlines, multiple stakeholders, and unexpected challenges that can arise at any stage. It often feels like there is never enough time to get everything done, which makes effective time management a necessity rather than an option. In addition, having a solid understanding of regulations, such as building codes, safety requirements, and local policies, is essential to avoid costly delays, legal issues, or project shutdowns.
That said, I believe my strengths currently lie in my ethics and adherence to standards, negotiation skills, and commitment to continual professional development. I understand the importance of maintaining integrity on-site, ensuring quality standards are met, and building good working relationships with clients, suppliers, and team members. I also make an effort to keep learning and improving, because the construction industry is always evolving.
However, I recognize that I still need to improve in time management and deepen my knowledge of the regulatory environment. To address this, I have started taking practical steps such as creating structured to-do lists, setting alarms and reminders, and prioritizing tasks more effectively throughout the day. Moving forward, I plan to be more intentional about scheduling, possibly using digital tools to track progress and deadlines more efficiently.
For the regulatory aspect, I aim to stay more updated by reviewing relevant construction guidelines, attending workshops or trainings, and learning from experienced professionals in the field. By doing this, I can ensure that my projects not only stay on schedule but also fully comply with all necessary standards and regulations.
Overall, I see these improvements as essential for my growth. Strengthening these areas will not only make me more effective in my role but also contribute to the successful delivery of projects and the trust clients place in my work.
1. Communication is a critical component of my role. I routinely prepare official correspondence, reports, and stakeholder updates, and engage with regulators and member companies. I possess strong formal and professional writing skills, and I have also developed the ability to communicate with diverse stakeholders
Skill Gaps: I need to improve strategic communication and executive-level persuasion, especially with physical engagements.
Action Plan:
Enroll in executive communication and stakeholder engagement courses
Practice developing concise one-page briefs for leadership
2. Negotiation plays a role in my interactions with vendors, particularly when managing expectations and deliverables. I have learnt how to maintains professionalism and diplomacy in engagements, but observed limited assertiveness in enforcing timelines and accountability
Action Plan:
Learn negotiation frameworks such as BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement)
Apply clearer deadline-setting and follow-up strategies in communication
3. My role requires balancing multiple responsibilities, including reporting, stakeholder engagement, and system management.
This has developed my ability to multitask and meet deadlines, but I also need more structured prioritization and task tracking
Action Plan:
Adopting productivity tools will help along the lines
Apply prioritization techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix
4. Knowledge of the Regulatory Environment: Working within my organisation requires a solid understanding of the regulatory landscape in Nigeria.
I am exposed to regulatory bodies and industry standards but also need a deeper technical understanding of policies and compliance frameworks
Action Plan:
Regular review of regulatory updates and industry publications
Enroll in compliance or regulatory training programs
5. Ethical conduct is essential in handling sensitive industry information and maintaining stakeholder trust. While i strongly adhere to professional standards, I’m have limited formal training in governance and ethics frameworks
Action Plan:
Study corporate governance principles and ethical standards
Pursue certifications in compliance and ethics
6. Continuous learning is necessary for career growth and transition into formal project management roles.
I have active interest in professional development and certification. I think i just need a structured and strategic learning path
Action Plan:
Pursue certifications such as PMP and Scrum
Develop a yearly professional development plan
Currently I’m in the fashion and design world and I have come to understand that project management is part and parcel of the fashion space from communication the style ,type of fabric and colours,to negotiating the price of the job and making sure you work with in your budget at hand and also meeting deadline for dress completion. As a fashion designer, the skills that I need to sharpen are negotiation skills and continuing professional development . These two skills, when sharpened, can help increase both my pay and quality of my work. The steps that I’m taking right now includes going for a fashion upgrade,learning the best ways to construct and finish a dress and also learning the business aspect of fashion designing, which includes how to calculate the cost of production and delivery and how to manage your budget to execute your work.