Taking on the role of Project Manager during a client project at The Data School is both exciting and challenging. It is an opportunity to step up as a leader, coordinate your team's efforts, and ensure the project runs smoothly from start to finish, all while managing deadlines, and communication with various numbers of stakeholders.
When I stepped into the role, I felt a mix of nerves and anticipation. However, with the support of my coaches and my teammate, it quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences of my training so far. I developed not only organisational and technical skills but also a deeper understanding of what effective leadership looks like in a data-driven environment.
Here are the key lessons and pieces of advice I took away from the experience:
Structure Brings Clarity:
Early on, I learned that having clear structure and direction is essential to keeping the team on track. Breaking larger, complex tasks into smaller, focused deliverables helped make the project more manageable and ensures that each team member had clear ownership of their work.
This approach not only fosters efficiency but made our outputs more focused and accessible.
Takeaway: Simplify wherever possible. A well-structured plan gives your team clarity autonomy and confidence.
Communication is Key:
As PM you act as the main point of communication, both within the team and between yourselves and external stakeholders. Keeping communication consistent and transparent is vital (and this includes the coaches as well!)
Regular check-ins helped me stay aware of progress, understand any blockers, and make sure everyone felt supported. However, I also learned the importance of balance: trust your team to deliver without overmanaging. Clear expectations paired with autonomy creates an environment where people can perform at their best.
Takeaway: Communicate often and with intention. Clarity builds trust and keeps everyone aligned.
Balance Collaboration with Time Management
To ensure everyone was aligned, we introduced daily stand ups, short sessions where the team shared progress, discussed challenges, and planned next steps. These brief catch ups worked well for promoting transparency and accountability. However, I quickly learned how easily they can expand and eat into valuable project time.
Finding the right balance between collaboration and focused work is essential, particularly during busy client weeks.
Takeaway: Keep meetings short, focused, and purposeful. Collaboration should enhance productivity, not reduce it.
Support your team
Project weeks are intense, managing both productivity and morale is a key part of the PM role. Checking in regularly, encouraging breaks, and creating a supportive environment can make a significant difference to team performance and wellbeing. Leading with empathy helps foster trust and keeps the team motivated, especially under pressure.
Takeaway: Look after your team and they'll look after the project. Leadership is as much about empathy as it is about efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Being the PM at The Data School is an incredible opportunity to develop leadership, communication, and decision-making skills in a fast paced, collaborative environment. It's about creating clarity, fostering teamwork, and enabling others to do their best work.
If you're preparing to take on the PM role, my advice is simple:
Stay calm, stay connected, and trust your team