DEVELOPMENT in turn , support the ongoing success of their organisation .
Pursue professionalisation As a high-level assistant , it ’ s likely your existing strengths already align well with that of a project manager . Consider harnessing these and maximising their effectiveness by pursuing formalised training . This will help give you more professional recognition , strengthen your voice in decision-making and equip you to become more involved in strategic conversations .
Advice for the accidental project manager
Professor Adam Boddison outlines the steps that project managing EAs can take to increase your effectiveness , improve project outcomes and support your organisation
THE EXPERT
Adam is a qualified clinical hypnotherapist and chief executive at the Association for Project Management . Prior to this he held leadership roles in several membership organisations and has also published a range of books and articles .
The practice of delivering change through projects ( or ‘ projectification ’ as it has come to be called ) is on the rise . Association for Project Management ( APM ) recently asked its corporate partners about the roles of project professionals in their organisations and most had seen growth in recent years , with some reporting a rise of up to 50 %. As a result , many professionals , including EAs , have become ‘ accidental project managers ’. In other words , people not officially tasked with managing projects but doing so without necessarily realising it .
As approaches and methods that have long been used only by project specialists prove their value , it ’ s safe to say the future of work is projects . This should come as little surprise , particularly for EAs well-accustomed to delivering in the face of change – exactly what project management is about .
It is no longer a niche requirement . In fact , understanding of what constitutes a project is evolving . Work is increasingly being evaluated in terms of projects rather than ‘ tasks ’, with outputs , outcomes or benefits delivered in line with agreed acceptance criteria , timescales and budgets .
Fortunately , there are some clear steps that project managing EAs can take to increase their effectiveness , improve project outcomes and ,
Join a mentoring programme Complementing formal training with hands-on learning methods , such as mentoring , offers you access to impartial , personal advice . While certain elements of project management can be conveyed through a course or book , many aspects are best learned through experience and interaction . Mentoring is also an effective form of knowledge management – your mentor can share best practice and help prevent avoidable mistakes .
Learn from online resources For EAs who want to learn more about project management before pursuing anything formal , there is a wealth of resources available online , from magazines and blogs to webinars and networking events . These can be a great way for you to learn more about the fundamentals of the project profession , its most pressing issues and the types of people who thrive within it .
Contribute to a culture of project success A recent APM report revealed the most important conditions for project success ( interpersonal skills , training and certifications , team ethos , technology and data , knowledge management , agility , sustainability , diversity and contracts ) and how they can be applied at organisational and individual levels . Could you directly improve the chances of project success for your organisation by encouraging these conditions in your work and organisation ?
Interpersonal skills are considered the most important dynamic condition explored in the report , with 97 % of survey respondents believing these to be either ‘ important ’ or ‘ very important ’ for project success . Clearly , successful projects are seen to be as much about people as they are about processes .
In a changing and challenging world , project management has never played a more important role . While the environment for delivery is complex , having clear and consistent standards to aim for will help EAs – and the organisations you work for – reach new heights . S
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Summer Issue 2023 | Executive PA 53