Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Prep

The future of project management is predicted to be one of increasing demand, with an overall positive career outlook for project management professionals. The Project Management Institute (PMI) reports an “extraordinarily positive jobs outlook for skilled project professionals.” Pointing to a rising need for project management professionals globally as well as a larger portion of the existing professional talent pool reaching retirement age, they estimate that employers will need 87.7 million individuals working in project management-oriented roles by 2027.¹

The PMI also points out that a number of industries are seeing an increased demand for project management positions as these fields change, particularly those with rapidly changing technology needs.¹

Industries with the highest levels of expected project management job growth include:¹

• Healthcare (expected 17% growth in project management jobs through 2027)
• Manufacturing and construction
• Information services and publishing
• Finance and insurance
• Management and professional services
• Utilities and oil and gas

While the US Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t collect data on project management positions (as they often fall under other types of industry-specific managers), they do report faster than average growth for several related positions.² Employment of computer and information systems managers, for example is projected to grow 12% from 2016 through 2026 (an increase of approximately 44,200 jobs), while the BLS projects that employment of construction managers will grow 11% from 2016 through 2026 (resulting in approximately an additional 44,800 positions),^{2, 3} leading to a positive job outlook in these project management-oriented roles.

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Project coordinators’ duties vary, depending on the needs of their employer. Their main focus is to organize the numerous parts of a project and make sure it runs smoothly. “When we have a contract in place, and there’s a clear sense of the scope of the work, then I start getting involved and organizing the people, the project, and the budget,” says Nikki.

Organizing. Every project has lots of details to arrange. Project coordinators usually work directly with other team members and the client—a representative from the organization that hires the firm for its services—to plan meetings and organize logistics. They set up schedules and timelines to monitor progress and help make sure the project meets its goals.

Project coordinators track dates, budgets, and other information using spreadsheets. They also sort reports, contracts, invoices, and financial files for quick access. For example, Nikki’s job requires her to compile architectural documents and drawings for formal submission and filing. “Submissions involve thousands of pages of documents and full-size drawings,” she says. “There’s nothing more satisfying to me than consolidating all of those documents and drawings and turning them into an organized and successful submission.”

Communicating. Nikki and other project coordinators need to communicate with others, including the project team and client. They must be able to convey a project’s particulars, which range from daily minutiae to long-term goals, in order to keep it on schedule. And when problems arise, they may need to troubleshoot and clearly articulate proposed solutions to all parties.

Project coordinators also help with presentations and reports to allow other team members to concentrate on their area of expertise. “I try to take anything off the architects’ plates that I can, especially when it comes to documents, so they have the time and freedom to do the knowledge-based part of their job,” says Nikki.

Other duties. Other responsibilities for project coordinators may include budgeting, monitoring expenses, and projecting cash flow. These workers also ensure that projects meet quality standards. And they do administrative tasks such as billing, bookkeeping, and ordering office supplies.