When Should You Hire a Project Manager?

As a business owner, you may have taken on a large project that might be more than you can handle in your current capacity. If this is the case, you may need to hire a project manager to help carry the burden. Project managers can be a considerable asset to large projects as they have the skills and knowledge to manage the entire project to meet deadlines effectively. If you’re approaching a big project, here’s when you should consider hiring a project manager. 

What does a project manager do? 

Project managers generally offer a range of comprehensive services related to managing projects. Whether in construction, marketing, IT, or finance, businesses often undertake large, extensive and expensive projects that need to be done right the first time. This is where project managers come in. 

Project managers are skilled individuals trained to manage projects as effectively as possible. Their responsibilities generally include planning, setting budgets, finding suppliers, setting deadlines and sticking to them, and managing employees. These professionals ensure that everything related to the project runs smoothly and is completed on time, within budget, and up to standard. 

When should you consider hiring a project manager?

Here are the most beneficial times to hire a project manager:

1. When you need quality results

One of the reasons we would hire a project manager is their commitment to quality. PMs aren’t just there to tick the boxes and ensure the project runs smoothly; they’re also there to ensure that it meets the expected quality. Their roles involve navigating complicated challenges, anticipating obstacles, and providing solutions that produce good results for the project as a whole. If investing in a large project, having someone oversee it and ensure it’s done properly is essential. That’s why hiring a project manager would be in your best interest. 

2. When you want to minimise risk

Speaking of obstacles, before the project even begins, a good project manager would already have a list of potential risks and a method of avoiding them. Certain projects have risks that are difficult to predict. Having a project manager who’s trained to deal with these types of challenges can be invaluable, not to mention that it could save you a lot if the risk is costly. 

3. When you want to do things as cost-effectively as possible 

That leads us to the next point. Hiring a PM might seem like an additional expense, but it would save you a lot. But project managers save you money. They save you money by providing accurate estimates for a budget, data benchmarks, planning, and proactively solving problems before they materialise. Because they’re so good at their jobs, they save you more time, saving you on labour costs and materials in some cases and making hiring a project manager a worthwhile investment. 

4. When you’re dealing with large projects

Let’s say, for instance, that you’ve been contracted to build an entire hotel. This is a complex project, with a lot of ins and outs and variables to consider, too much for you to do alone. Project managers have a large capacity and know how to compartmentalise as they manage large projects. They will know how to maintain control over the project's flow and how to keep the team driven and in line with the milestones and goals so that the project meets its deadlines. 

Furthermore, being skilled in dealing with budgets and suppliers, they can ensure that the project is done within the budget and that there are no shortages of supplies that interrupt the project. If you’re planning a large-scale project, having a project manager will ensure it runs smoothly. 

Where can you study project management online?

In some cases, you may not need to hire a project manager to manage a project because you can do it yourself. In this situation, having a basic understanding of project management could be helpful. Consider doing a graduate diploma in project management to equip yourself with the skills to oversee your own projects. 

Who knows, doing so may even open up more career opportunities for you, too. If you’re looking for a reliable place to study project management, consider Edith Cowan University. Their online course will help you gain the expertise needed while on the job. 

Final thoughts

Whether starting a new building project or running a different project, having a project manager can make your job easier. Consider the points above that indicate when you should hire a project manager and, if it’s more beneficial, teach yourself to become a project manager. In the end, the better you manage a project, the more likely you are to succeed.