How to Be Project Management Generalist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jan 23, 2023 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Project management generalists are essential for the success of any organization. They have the ability to coordinate resources and manage multiple tasks at once, ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. In addition, project management generalists provide strategic planning, problem solving, and decision making skills that can help an organization reach its goals. By having a project management generalist on staff, organizations can benefit from increased efficiency and productivity, as well as improved customer satisfaction and overall success.

Steps How to Become

Develop a strong educational foundation in business, project management and related fields. Earn a bachelors degree in business, project management, or a related field, such as economics, engineering, or operations.
Pursue a masters degree in project management or a related field. Many employers prefer candidates with a masters degree for project management generalist positions.
Participate in additional training specific to project management. This could include classes or certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Gain experience in all aspects of project management. Try to gain experience in various roles such as project coordinator, project manager, and program manager.
Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of project management. Show an ability to lead projects and teams, manage risks, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Demonstrate excellent communication skills. This includes being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders from different backgrounds and understanding the needs of each party.
Develop a portfolio of successful projects. This will help to demonstrate your experience and qualifications for the role of project management generalist.

Project management generalists are key players in ensuring that projects run smoothly and efficiently. Their skill set enables them to effectively coordinate the various components of a project, from planning to execution. They are responsible for ensuring that organizations meet their goals and objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner.

A successful project management generalist will possess strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills. They must also be able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and anticipate potential issues before they arise. By having a clear vision of the end goal and managing resources effectively, project management generalists can help make projects run smoothly and achieve success.

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Job Description

Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, budgets, and other project documents.
Monitor project progress and provide regular status updates to stakeholders.
Coordinate resources and manage work assignments to ensure timely completion of project tasks.
Identify and resolve potential project risks and issues.
Facilitate communication between project team members, stakeholders, and other interested parties.
Develop and implement processes and procedures to ensure successful project delivery.
Develop and manage change control processes.
Develop and oversee project quality assurance plans and activities.
Monitor project performance and determine areas of improvement.
Lead post-project reviews to evaluate project success and document lessons learned.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strategic planning: Ability to develop and execute long-term strategies for the successful completion of projects.
Project management: Knowledge of best practices in project management and experience leading teams in the successful completion of projects.
Resource management: Ability to identify and acquire resources, such as personnel, materials, and funds, necessary for project completion.
Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills to effectively convey project information to stakeholders.
Problem-solving: Ability to identify and resolve issues that arise during project execution.
Time management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize objectives to meet deadlines.
Budgeting: Skilled at creating and managing budgets to ensure projects are completed within budget constraints.
Risk management: Knowledge of risk management processes and experience mitigating potential risks associated with project activities.
Quality assurance: Ability to adhere to quality standards and ensure that deliverables meet customer requirements.
Negotiation: Skilled negotiator with the ability to reach mutually beneficial outcomes with stakeholders and vendors.

Project management generalists possess a wide range of skills and expertise that is essential for successful project completion. They must be able to multitask, organize, and plan efficiently to ensure that all elements of a project are completed on time. In addition, they need to be able to effectively communicate with all stakeholders involved, including team members, clients, and vendors.

Project management generalists must also be able to anticipate potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them. Furthermore, they must have an understanding of financial management, as well as the ability to track costs and generate reports. All of these skills are essential for a project manager to successfully manage projects from start to finish.

Without the expertise of a project management generalist, a project can quickly become disorganized and fall behind schedule, resulting in higher costs and missed deadlines.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in project management?
What processes have you implemented to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget?
How do you handle project scope changes and manage stakeholder expectations?
Describe a complex project that you have successfully managed and the methods you used to achieve success.
How do you communicate with stakeholders and team members to ensure the project is on track?
How do you handle competing priorities and remain organized when managing multiple projects?
What techniques do you use to motivate team members and drive progress?
How do you ensure that all project deliverables meet quality standards?
What strategies do you use to identify potential risks and take preventive measures?
Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a project issue and provide a resolution.

Common Tools in Industry

Project Management Software (eg. Asana): A software application for organizing and tracking projects and tasks.
Gantt Chart (eg. Microsoft Project): A type of chart used to illustrate a project schedule, showing tasks and their dependencies over time.
Issue Tracking Software (eg. JIRA): A software application used to identify, prioritize, and track the progress and resolution of tasks, issues, and bugs.
Resource Allocation Software (eg. Zoho Books): A software application used to assign resources to tasks and projects, track resource utilization, and optimize resource availability.
Project Collaboration Software (eg. Slack): A software application used to facilitate communication and collaboration among project team members.
Project Planning Software (eg. Microsoft Planner): A software application used to plan projects, assign tasks, and track progress.
Time Tracking Software (eg. Toggl): A software application used to track time spent on various tasks and activities.
Risk Management Software (eg. RiskIT): A software application used to identify, analyze, and manage risks associated with projects.

Professional Organizations to Know

Project Management Institute (PMI)
International Project Management Association (IPMA)
American Management Association (AMA)
Association for Project Management (APM)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
International Association of Project and Program Management (IAPPM)
Agile Alliance
International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
Association for Systems Management (ASM)
Project Management Association of Canada (PMAC)

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Common Important Terms

Project Planning. The process of defining and detailing the tasks, resources, and timeline necessary to complete a project.
Risk Management. The practice of identifying, assessing, and mitigating any potential risks associated with a project.
Resource Allocation. The process of assigning resources to tasks in order to best optimize the success of a project.
Stakeholder Engagement. The practice of ensuring that all stakeholders of a project are informed and included in decision-making processes.
Quality Assurance. The process of ensuring that a project meets all requirements and standards.
Budget Management. The practice of monitoring and controlling the costs associated with a project.
Scope Management. The practice of ensuring that a project stays within its pre-defined scope throughout its development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Project Management Generalist?

A Project Management Generalist is a professional who has the skills and knowledge to manage projects in a variety of different fields. They are often responsible for managing a team of project stakeholders, coordinating tasks, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget.

What are the qualifications for a Project Management Generalist?

To become a Project Management Generalist, you must typically have a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as business administration, information technology, or engineering. In addition, you may need to have experience in project management and/or be certified by a professional organization such as the Project Management Institute (PMI).

What skills do Project Management Generalists need?

Project Management Generalists need strong organizational and communication skills, as well as the ability to work with a variety of stakeholders. They must have a comprehensive understanding of project management principles and processes and be able to plan, execute, and control projects. They must also be able to identify and manage risks, delegate tasks, and resolve conflicts.

What is the job outlook for a Project Management Generalist?

The job outlook for Project Management Generalists is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for project managers is expected to grow by 8% from 2018-2028.

What is the average salary for a Project Management Generalist?

The average salary for a Project Management Generalist depends on factors such as location, experience, and qualifications. According to PayScale, the median salary for a Project Management Generalist is $67,804 per year.