While project managers need to have a varied set of skills to keep the show up and running, here are 7 successful must have traits of a project manager.

1. Project Planning: Planning is the first stage of any project that needs to be worked upon by project managers. They need to have the skills to design plans in a comprehensive and applicable manner. They should have an in-depth overview of the project and tasks that need to be accomplished to achieve delivering successful projects. While laying out a plan that works, project managers should be able to define and clarify the project scope, schedule, and develop policies and procedures to support the achievement of the project objectives. Proper planning, delegation of tasks to the accurate employees and accurate execution needs to be supervised by project managers.
2. Time management: A vital role of successful project managers include the time management for every project that is used to plan and organize the time spent on varied activities. The right process used for time management results in the improved productivity and effectiveness of projects. As the project manager’s schedule the time for task execution on the basis of priority for each task and sub-task, they also need to track of the updates adhering to the deadlines. Successful project managers take charge when timelines are failing, control the situation by remaining connected to the team members and facilitate the timely and accurate delivery of the project. In cases where there is a change in the action plan which also affects the project progress, it is the project manager who needs to take the call on working upon the time schedule based on the requirement.
3. Team management: One of the most important responsibilities of an efficient project manager is to manage the different teams involved in the project. They need to coordinate and collaborate with all members of the team on a continuous basis to keep a track on task updates. Not only that, team management is vital to keep employees united and focused. Project managers are also responsible to select team members based on their specific skill sets. Each task needs a specific area of expertise and it is the project manager who has to make the right decision informing the team. The project manager needs to supervise and facilitate productivity, excellence in work and team commitments. They need to consistently supervise the team and individuals, their activities, the tasks they perform, their needs and address the issues they face from time to time.
4. Communication skills: Communication is one of the most vital aspects of successful business organizations. Without proper communication, business organizations can fall like a house of cards. An open line of communication keeps things streamlined, helps maintain transparency and flexibility among all involved in business projects. Project managers need to ensure that projects are delivered on time which is possible only when everyone is communicating all through the project progress. Project managers should give team members the space to discuss issues, concerns, ideas, and concepts, giving them the encouragement to remain open and ready to grow. A project manager needs to ensure that frequent and specific communication is maintained within teams. They need to maintain clarity in communicating the project deliverables to the team and group involved. A project manager must ensure timely and accurate delivery of projects with transparent communication with the team members on a regular basis.
5. Leadership and Motivation: An ideal project manager is a leader in his own right. They need to lead teams and individuals, have the ability and characteristic to build the team spirit and keep the team motivated all through. Ideal project managers inspire the team with a globalized approach. The team members should not felt left out during any phase of the project progress. Team members are motivated and inspired when they are given room to voice their opinion, see their ideas implemented if workable and are treated with honesty and respect.
6. Negotiation Skills: Negotiation leads to effective business relations. A good project manager should know the ways to work upon long lasting business associations by negotiating with clients as per their needs and requirements. Project managers who keep the options of negotiation open with clients always end up striking good business relationships. Whether they are negotiating for time, resources or services – the key to successful negotiation is to arrive at a win-win situation. Project managers invest time to understand relationships and the needs and interests of stakeholders in order to clearly identify what is needed to move their projects forward.
7. Risk Management: Every project comes with its own challenges. An ideal project manager walks the way through the challenges with precision and composure. The project manager analyses the possible risks and works upon plans to save the project from any downfall. They should be prepared to prevent the setbacks that causes project failures. The project manager should drive the team towards possible solutions to any challenges they may confront and determine which solution will work best to proceed towards successful completion. Project risks can vary from technical glitches to non-technical issues, like discrepancies in teams, tasks, updates and it’s like. The project manager should be skilled in dealing with multiple risk issues efficiently, which further can help run the project in a pro-active manner.