Why is Project Management Important?

Here we’ll review why project management is so important.

As part of this discussion, we’ll also explain what project management is, what project managers actually do, how to get a job as a project manager, and why you should consider earning your degree in Project Management online at CSU Global.

Almost everyone has heard of project managers, and many people have worked with them too, but there still seems to be a widespread lack of understanding from the general public on what project management is, and why it matters so much.

Some people still think of project managers as task managers, and some of those people may even think that the role of project manager can be replaced with a simple task management program or app, but this idea is naive, at best, and potentially even downright dangerous to the long-term success of modern organizations operating in competitive environments.

Simply put, project management is one of the most important processes for professional organizations of every type, from any industry, as the goal of project management is to help ensure that organizational projects remain on track, on time and under budget. 

Accordingly, failing to provide professional project management support for large organizational initiatives means risking the success of those projects, and the organization as a whole.

If you’re well-organized, solution-oriented, and you want to manage and lead projects, or a portfolio of projects, and help steer organizational success, then you may be perfectly suited for a career as a project manager.

After you’ve learned everything you need to know about what makes project management so important, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our online Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, or our online Master’s Program in Project Management. If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.

Why Does Project Management Matter?

There are many misconceptions around what project management entails, and whether or not it’s still relevant to modern organizations, let alone an essential process required to ensure their success.

Many businesses attempt to forego project management best practices entirely, refusing to staff project managers, and instead simply hoping that their projects will work out, but this is a misguided and potentially costly gamble.

Per The Digital Project Manager, the question an organization should be asking is not “Why do we need project management?” but “How can we afford NOT to utilize project management best practices?”. 

As they explain, project management isn’t just about ensuring that a project is delivered on time, under budget, and within scope, but it’s also the force that unites clients and teams, creating a shared vision for a successful project, and ensuring that everyone remains on the same page concerning what’s needed to stay on track and to deliver a successful end result.

At an organization that utilizes project management best practices effectively, it’s the project manager who is responsible for driving success for any given initiative, as they’re the employees tasked with essential job functions, including: 

• Creating strategic alignment between all stakeholders involved in any given initiative.
• Providing the leadership needed to take an idea from conception through development and on to final delivery.
• Designing clear, focused objectives and goals, and achieving buy-in from all relevant stakeholders.
• Developing a realistic resource plan that can achieve achieving the project’s objectives on time, under budget, and within scope.
• Ensuring that the final delivery meets the expectations of the organization and/or the client.

Without a project manager and project team in place to guide these complex, but necessary processes, it’s too easy for complex projects to become unnecessarily complicated failures.. 

Anyone who has ever worked on a large-scale project without the assistance of a professional project manager overseeing the effort is likely to have first-hand experience of the many ways that things can go wrong quickly.

What Do Project Managers Actually Do?

A project manager is responsible for ensuring that things go according to plan, and that when they don’t, solutions can be found to keep the project on track and under budget anyway.

It is the project manager who is challenged with the complex task of planning, monitoring, initiating, and adapting an organization’s strategy according to the goals and objectives desired, and values recognized.

The process of modern project management can get incredibly complex, especially for larger projects, and may include some or all of the following responsibilities:

• Developing detailed project plans and budgets, then managing them throughout the course of the work.
• Helping to make crucial staffing decisions, ensuring that the right resources are being utilized at the right time, both for effectiveness and efficiency. 
• Analyzing records to monitor and control all elements of a project, watching for issues, preempting problems, and responding to unforeseen roadblocks.
• Managing communications and expectations for all stakeholders involved in the process, including the project teams, leadership personnel, and/or clients.

As you might imagine, project managers are busy people, so you shouldn’t be surprised to find out that this job requires strict discipline, attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and above all, foundational knowledge of modern project management best practices, and the skills needed to utilize them appropriately.

Should I Pursue a Career in Project Management?

Knowing that project management is a complex, challenging role, what would compel someone to pursue a career in the field?

First, it’s not just a mission-critical process for organizations, but also an incredibly interesting, and thus rewarding and exciting position, especially for anybody who thrives on being challenged.

Second, demand for project managers is quite strong, and projected to grow in the years ahead, thanks to several factors related to changes in the modern economy and the product development cycle, including:

• Shorter life cycles for products and services.
• Far-reaching technological advancements and an explosion in knowledge for virtually every industry.
• Widespread adoption of the triple bottom line philosophy (planet, people, prosperity).
• Increasing rates of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate downsizing.
• A larger priority being placed on customer focus.
• The tendency for small projects to represent larger organizational problems.

Finally, effective project managers may be able to secure long-term and lucrative employment in the field, especially once they’ve achieved a reputation for achieving good results.

To emphasize the financial opportunity, here’s a handful of several potential roles that may be available to seasoned, professional project managers:

• Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Manager / 2021 Median Pay: $133,380
• Project Management Specialist / 2021 Median Pay: $94,500
• Business Operations Specialist / 2021 Median Pay: $79,240
• Construction Manager / 2021 Median Pay: $98,890

How to Get Into Project Management

While it may be possible to get an entry-level position in project management without first earning your degree in the field, that’s not the ideal way to get your foot in the door.

First, would you really want to start work at a complex position handling mission-critical tasks without having studied, explored, and developed the skills and abilities needed to employ industry best practices?

Just like every other industry, field, and role, project management has made great strides in recent years, and while some people may still think of project managers as paper pushers, there’s a great deal more going on here, including a variety of sophisticated planning and management processes.

Instead of attempting to do-it-yourself or learn-by-doing, we recommend studying project management in an academic setting to ensure that you develop the required skills and experience needed to provide real-world value as a project manager from day one.

The best way to develop those skills and that knowledge is to complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree program in Project Management.

Earning your degree won’t just prepare you to deliver successful results as a project manager, however, as it’s also highly likely to improve your marketability with hiring managers.

Being able to list academic credentials on your resume can make it easier to land that all-important, first role in the industry—one that you can use as a launch pad for your lifelong career.

The question then, shouldn’t be “Do I need a degree in project management to get a job in the field?”, but “Which project management degree should I get?”. 

Is a Bachelor’s or a Master’s Degree in Project Management Right for Me?

Once you’ve determined that you want to pursue a career and thus a degree in project management, your next decision will be choosing which specific degree you should earn. For most people, that will be a decision between a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.

We suggest enrolling in the degree program that best meets your professional needs, and we recommend that you attempt to determine those needs by reviewing your existing education credentials, your current knowledge of project management best practices, your experience in the field, and your long-term career goals.

If you’re new to project management and just looking to get your foot in the door, or if you lack an undergraduate degree, then you’ll almost certainly want to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management.

However, if you already have some experience in the industry, or if you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree, or if you’ve got your sights set on developing a long-term career and moving into leadership or managerial-level roles, then we’d suggest considering a Master’s Degree in Project Management.

The good news is that no matter which program you decide to complete, getting your degree is a good idea, as it’s one of the most efficient ways to develop the knowledge and skills you’ll need to become an effective project manager.

Can I Get My Degree in Project Management Online?

Like many other fields, project management degrees are now widely available online, and enrolling in an online program is a great idea for anyone who needs to balance educational pursuits with current family or work responsibilities. 

But please do make sure to sign up for a program that’s regionally accredited and respected by project management industry professionals, otherwise the time, effort, and money you spend on earning your credentials could go to waste.

CSU Global’s 100% online degrees in Project Management were designed to provide flexibility for busy people, and they are widely respected by industry professionals, making them an excellent option for anyone looking to advance their career in the field.

Our programs were designed to be completed entirely online, and they provide far more flexibility than traditional in-person degree programs, as they offer: 

• No set class times or physical locations.
• The monthly class starts.
• Accelerated eight-week courses.

Why Should You Consider Studying Project Management at CSU Global?

If you do choose to study project management, then you should do it at CSU Global, for each of the following reasons:

• B.S. and M.S. in Project Management programs are regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Both programs are also accredited by the Project Management Institute (PMI)’s Global Accreditation Center (GAC) for Project Management Education Programs, which allows our alumni to receive substantial credit toward their experience requirement when they apply for PMI certifications.
• Our Bachelor’s Program in Project Management was ranked the #1 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management by Top Management Degrees, and one year after graduation, our Bachelor’s program alumni report earning a median annual salary of $78,333, which is 20% higher than the national average for all bachelor’s degree holders.
• Our Master’s Program in Project Management was ranked #7 Best Online Master’s program in Project Management by Online Course Report, and one year after graduation, our Master’s program alumni report earning a median annual salary that is 16% higher than the national average for all master’s degree holders.

Finally, CSU Global also offers decent tuition rates and a Tuition Guarantee to ensure your rate won’t increase, thus helping to save your time and money.

To get additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online degrees in Project Management, please give us a call at (800) 462-7845, or fill out our Information Request Form.

Ready to get started today? Apply now!