Good day...
What is your first impression when you read the above question? It might sound ridiculous, doesn't it? How can you become a project manager if you do not have project team assigned to you? But wait! For some people it is so true that they are assigned project manager job, however, they haven't got anyone reporting to them. Well, what would be the solution in this case?
As I have experienced the situation myself, I will try to give some tips here. Firstly, it would be acceptable if you are a lone-ranger project manager at start. However, with more success being delivered, I would strongly recommend you to strive for resources. I believe that by then your manager will realize how valuable your work is and obtaining resources to continue the successful delivery must not be that hard.
Secondly, during the 'proof-your-self' stage, it is barely possible to do everything by yourself. This is the time when your wit is being challenged. You would need to think of something creative here. In my experience, finding a resourceful vendor would be one good option. As usually, when your organization does not provide you with resources, they will back you up with budget.
Well, when neither of resource and budget is allocated to you, here is the time for you to use your personal relationship with your colleagues and other team members to help you out. Try to make use of every opportunity that resources can be assigned to you, for example, through internship or management trainee program. Once you notice that the organization is open for such program, be the first who voluntarily applies to be a mentor. In a worse scenario you need to leverage your bonding with the other team members and asking them to assist you. In return, you would need to give them the credit they deserve, appraisals, and could be some form of personal reward. Trust me, they will appreciate your sincere reaction to their assistance.
In the end, to answer the first question whether being a project manager alone is possible... I would say NO for a literal single-fighter project manager without any team member. The key to the question is use all of your creativity to find a team member and proof yourself and your project worthy for team members along the way to obtain all the resources you need.
-Edwin
What is your first impression when you read the above question? It might sound ridiculous, doesn't it? How can you become a project manager if you do not have project team assigned to you? But wait! For some people it is so true that they are assigned project manager job, however, they haven't got anyone reporting to them. Well, what would be the solution in this case?
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| Picture credit: SJJP |
As I have experienced the situation myself, I will try to give some tips here. Firstly, it would be acceptable if you are a lone-ranger project manager at start. However, with more success being delivered, I would strongly recommend you to strive for resources. I believe that by then your manager will realize how valuable your work is and obtaining resources to continue the successful delivery must not be that hard.
Secondly, during the 'proof-your-self' stage, it is barely possible to do everything by yourself. This is the time when your wit is being challenged. You would need to think of something creative here. In my experience, finding a resourceful vendor would be one good option. As usually, when your organization does not provide you with resources, they will back you up with budget.
Well, when neither of resource and budget is allocated to you, here is the time for you to use your personal relationship with your colleagues and other team members to help you out. Try to make use of every opportunity that resources can be assigned to you, for example, through internship or management trainee program. Once you notice that the organization is open for such program, be the first who voluntarily applies to be a mentor. In a worse scenario you need to leverage your bonding with the other team members and asking them to assist you. In return, you would need to give them the credit they deserve, appraisals, and could be some form of personal reward. Trust me, they will appreciate your sincere reaction to their assistance.
In the end, to answer the first question whether being a project manager alone is possible... I would say NO for a literal single-fighter project manager without any team member. The key to the question is use all of your creativity to find a team member and proof yourself and your project worthy for team members along the way to obtain all the resources you need.
-Edwin
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