Why Great Project Managers Are More Than Just Taskmasters

Laura Lin / October 1, 2024

Let’s get one thing straight: Project managers are NOT glorified to-do list checkers. We’ve all heard it before: “Oh, you’re just here to assign tasks, right?” Wrong. At Launch Pilot, we’re more than that. We’re the navigators steering the ship, ensuring smooth sailing in choppy waters. Sure, we keep things organized, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

To be a great project manager, you need more than just a checklist and a title. Project managers are the glue that holds projects together, balancing strategy, leadership, and a knack for problem-solving that keeps teams productive and stakeholders happy. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what makes a successful project manager and why the best project managers stand out from the crowd.

Strategy Over Tasks: The Real Role of a Project Manager

Good project managers don’t just ensure tasks are checked off. We ensure that every single task aligns with the end goal. Think of us as the bridge between strategy and execution. When a project is tightly aligned with an organization’s business goals, you're far more likely to meet your objectives.

If all you needed was someone to check off tasks, you’d use a robot. A great project manager knows how to focus on strategic thinking, aligning every task and every team member with the larger picture. This is where project management becomes more about critical thinking than task management.

Leadership: A Non-Negotiable Skill for Project Managers

Leadership skills are not optional—they are crucial. The best project managers are not just delegators; they are collaborative leaders who inspire, motivate, and guide their teams toward the finish line. Leadership is what turns a chaotic group into a well-oiled machine.

At Launch Pilot, we know that engaged teams are more productive. Great project managers bring out the best in their team members, keeping everyone aligned with the project plan and motivated to hit every milestone. Without strong leadership, projects can easily drift off course.

Communication: The Key to Success

Ever played the game "Telephone"? One tiny miscommunication can cause a chain reaction of confusion. A great project manager knows that communication skills are just as important as leadership. Poor communication is often a primary reason why projects derail.

Project managers are communication champions, ensuring that everyone is on the same page. This means daily check-ins, clear status updates, and the ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders. Good communication is the lifeblood of effective project management.

Managing the Project Team: Building Collaboration

Managing a project team is not just about assigning tasks—it’s about creating a sense of collaboration and shared purpose. Fostering collaboration across the entire team is essential for being a successful project manager. At Launch Pilot, we make sure our teams understand not just what they need to do, but why it matters.

A good project manager encourages two-way communication, where team members feel comfortable voicing concerns, suggesting improvements, and offering solutions. It’s about building trust and maintaining a shared vision for the project.

Problem-Solving: The Unexpected Will Happen

When roadblocks appear, project managers don’t panic; we problem-solve on the fly. The unexpected will always happen—whether it's a sudden change in scope, an issue with a vendor, or a team member leaving mid-project. The key to effective project management is to anticipate risks and adapt quickly.

At Launch Pilot, we embrace challenges. We’re the ones that turn potential disasters into learning opportunities. A great project manager has solutions ready and knows how to think on their feet.

Setting and Managing Expectations

Not only are project managers responsible for managing tasks, but we’re also expectation managers. A successful project isn’t just about delivering on time—it’s about ensuring that the client’s expectations are met or exceeded. Managing stakeholder expectations is a balancing act that requires transparency, continuous communication, and negotiation.

When expectations are misaligned, projects suffer. That’s why the best project managers stay proactive, anticipating the client’s needs and ensuring expectations are realistic.

Risk Management: Mitigating Potential Pitfalls

Every project comes with risks. Whether it's a scope creep issue, a shortage of resources, or missed deadlines, a successful project manager has a proactive approach to risk management. At Launch Pilot, we take a detailed look at the project scope, identify potential risks early, and develop strategies to mitigate those risks.

By keeping an eye on the project's progress and using the right project management tools, we ensure that we’re always one step ahead of any potential issues.

Mastering the Project Schedule

Time management is key to any successful project. Project managers are masters of the project schedule, ensuring everything happens when it should, and that deadlines are met. This includes mapping out the entire project timeline, from initial planning phases all the way to final delivery.

Great project managers balance time constraints with the team’s needs, ensuring that no one gets burned out while still meeting deadlines.

Project Management Tools: Your Best Friends

In today’s world, project management software is essential for staying on top of tasks, deadlines, and communication. Good project managers use these tools to track progress, allocate resources, and ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. A successful project manager knows how to leverage project management tools to keep the team aligned and moving forward. These tools simplify complex timelines, allowing for better decision-making.

At Launch Pilot, we’ve created our own systems, backed back our decades of project management expertise, to stay organized.

The Importance of Stakeholder Management

Stakeholders are critical to any project, and stakeholder management is a key skill that every great project manager needs. At Launch Pilot, we keep stakeholders informed, involved, and satisfied. Clear communication with stakeholder expectations ensures they remain engaged throughout the project.

Project managers often serve as the link between the client and the team, ensuring alignment on goals, timelines, and deliverables.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

A project team is only as strong as the teamwork behind it. Great project managers build strong teams by encouraging collaboration, listening to feedback, and promoting respect and support. Without teamwork, even the best-laid plans can fall apart.

Effective project managers unite teams with diverse skills, personalities, and ideas, creating a cohesive unit working toward the same goal. Successful project managers don’t just assign tasks—they foster collaboration and create an environment where every team member thrives.

Mastering the Project Plan: Breaking It Down

A solid project plan is the blueprint for success. Good project managers develop a detailed, clear project plan outlining every aspect of the project. This includes everything from tasks and deadlines to resource allocation and risk management.

One tool that highly effective project managers use is the work breakdown structure (WBS). This breaks down the project into manageable tasks, ensuring that every step is accounted for.

Adapting to Change: The Mark of a Great Project Manager

In project management, nothing stays the same for long. Whether it’s a shift in the market, a change in the client’s needs, or an internal adjustment, a great project manager knows how to adapt.

At Launch Pilot, we’re constantly adjusting our strategies to meet the project’s needs. Flexibility is key, and the best project managers roll with the punches without losing focus on the end goal.

Soft Skills Matter

While technical skills are essential, soft skills are just as critical in project management. A successful project manager is empathetic, a good listener, and can navigate difficult conversations. Interpersonal skills help create trust and ensure smooth collaboration between team members and stakeholders.

At Launch Pilot, we emphasize the importance of these skills. The ability to foster a supportive environment and resolve conflicts effectively is what sets a great project manager apart.

Power Skills for Project Managers

You’ve heard of soft skills, but have you heard of power skills? These advanced skills elevate good project managers into great project managers. They include advanced problem-solving, decision-making, and leading teams through complex challenges.

Power skills also involve strategic thinking, ensuring the project manager aligns the project with broader business goals.

Keeping the Project on Budget

Managing a project budget requires precision. A great project manager allocates resources effectively and keeps spending in check. Project managers ensure the project stays within budget while delivering top-quality results.

At Launch Pilot, we monitor spending closely, ensuring every dollar is well spent and aligned with the project’s goals. When unexpected expenses arise, a successful project manager knows how to adjust without sacrificing quality.

Stakeholder Expectations: A Balancing Act

Managing stakeholder expectations is one of the trickiest aspects of being an effective project manager. On one hand, you want to keep stakeholders happy by delivering what they need. On the other hand, you must stay true to the project plan and avoid scope creep.

Great project managers manage expectations without over-promising, keeping open communication and ensuring the client understands project limitations.

Balancing Time, Budget, and Quality

In project management, there’s a delicate balance between time, budget, and quality. Successful project managers know that sacrificing one often impacts the others. At Launch Pilot, we work hard to maintain this balance.

Delivering a project quickly might save time, but if the quality suffers, the client won’t be happy. Conversely, focusing only on quality can lead to missed deadlines. Good project managers know how to strike this balance, ensuring successful project delivery every time.

Lessons Learned: Improving with Every Project

Every project presents opportunities for growth. Great project managers review what worked and what didn’t once a project is complete. At Launch Pilot, we analyze each project for lessons learned and use that insight to improve future projects.

By constantly refining our approach, we ensure each project is better than the last. Good project managers never stop learning, and every project is an opportunity to improve.

Gantt Charts: The Project Manager's Best Friend

No project management discussion is complete without mentioning Gantt charts. These handy tools help project managers visualize timelines, deadlines, and task dependencies. They’re invaluable for ensuring the project schedule stays on track.

At Launch Pilot, we use Gantt charts to map out the entire project timeline, ensuring each task is completed in sequence.

Final Thoughts: What Makes a Great Project Manager

Being a great project manager is about more than assigning tasks and tracking deadlines. It’s about leadership, communication, problem-solving, and aligning the project’s goals with broader business strategy. The best project managers adapt, inspire, and lead teams through any challenge.

At Launch Pilot, we take pride in our project managers and the value they bring to every project. Whether it’s managing budgets, leading teams, or mitigating risks, we’re the reason the project runs smoothly and achieves its goals.

Ready to level up your project strategy? Schedule a consultation today and let’s work together to drive your project’s success!