In our new Project
World and World Congress for Business Analysts 2013 Speaker Spotlight
series, Paula Bell, Business Analyst Coach, Mentor, Speaker, and Author recently
sat down with us to discuss what it takes to be a great project manager and business
analyst in an environment that is growing increasingly competitive every day.
IIR: How do you,
as a project manager or business analyst, stand out in a crowd in this
competitive business world?
Bell: In order to
stand out as a project manager or business analyst you have to stay up on the
skills that are trending in the industry. Even if you may not practice
some of the methodologies or skills that are topics having the knowledge of
what those methodologies/topics are is key.
Also, share your knowledge. You can do this by writing
articles for trade magazines in your discipline or even starting blogs.
Just by sharing your knowledge you will be known. Continue to sharpen
your craft and be the best project manager or business analyst you can be.
IIR: What are
characteristics of a GREAT project manager?
Bell: Some
characteristics of a GREAT project manager are integrity, respect,
interpersonal skills such as relationships building, communication (written and
verbal), negotiation skills, problem solving, critical thinking, thinking
outside of the box, influencing and helping others make decisions.
The foundational skills of a GREAT project manager is more
soft skills than technical skills. If you cannot build the relationships
and gain credibility and trust you will not be successful. This is for the
business analyst role as well.
IIR: What are
some tips you would suggest to someone who is just learning Agile?
Bell: Mentor with
someone who has done it successfully and learn from their challenges and
successes. There is so much more knowledge out there now that I would
recommend to learn from that knowledge.
IIR: How do you
as a project manager or business analyst build leadership skills?
Bell: You build
those skills by doing them. Take on a leadership role on a board or in
the community to help build out those skills if there aren’t opportunities
within your organization. Take training classes on leadership and do a
lot of introspection on yourself.
You must lead yourself before you can lead anyone
else. In order to lead yourself you must know yourself. In order to
know yourself you must analyze yourself. Take the time to develop
yourself in this area. Get out of your comfortable and take on different
challenges in a leadership role. All of these things will build up your
leadership skills.
IIR: How does a
successful project manager communicate?
Bell: Honestly.
Not matter the circumstance always be honest whether good new or bad
news. Support your team and communicate with them frequently. Do
more listening than talking, understand all sides and think before you
speak. This all goes back to building and maintaining relationships and
communication is key in that.
Stay tuned for upcoming expert interviews right here on the PW&WCBA Blog.
Bell is a speaker at the annual PW&WCBA
2013in Orlando, FL in September.
Amanda Ciccatelli,
Social Media Strategist at IIR USA in New York City, has a background in
digital and print journalism, covering a variety of topics in business
strategy, marketing, and technology. She previously worked at Technology
Marketing Corporation as a Web Editor where she covered breaking news and
feature stories in the tech industry. She can be reached
at aciccatelli@iirusa.com. Follow her at @AmandaCicc.
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