Question

How is a project manager any different than a "regular" manager? In other words, is the idea of "project management" just something that is a way for someone to be certified in an area but not really have many (if any) skills that are all that different from those possessed by "regular" managers?

Answer 1

Solution:

Project Management and regular management within different functions operate on similar principles and theories. However, the major difference between a project manager and any other manager lies in their objectives and way of work. The work schedules, objectives, deliverables are all different for a project manager and for a regular manager. It is no way means that regular managers have lesser challenges within their jobs or regular managers have a less challenging job than project managers.

The aspects of management apply equally for both, the project managers and regular managers. It is the way in which these two types of managers accomplish their goals and objectives is what makes them different. The project manager has to manage a team of cross-functional employees which requires a different set of skills. Regular managers generally have to manage only the employees of their own department and hence management of diverse functional teams is not very necessary in regular departmental management. Also, project management generally differs as per the requirements of the projects whereas the regular management may not change for years together if the same setting is giving the organization sustained efficiency and productivity. Hence, the management functionalities differ for project managers and regular managers simply because of differences in their objectives to be fulfilled.

Project managers and regular managers also have differences in terms of skills. Project management needs additional extra skills required to build a careerr in project management. Regular management may not need expert knowledge unless required by their jobs. The level of education is somewhat detailed for project managers and they have a concrete set of knowledge and certification levels helpful in determining the quality of a project managers. This aspect may not be very much relatable for other regular managers.

Hence, these are some of the differences between the project managers and the regular departmental managers and the way in which these two positions differ in their way of operating their jobs.