How to be a Project Manager for a Trade Business

Project managers hold the responsibility of ensuring all the moving people, parts, and budgets of a project are aligned. Becoming a project manager is a sign that your time toiling in the industry has resulted in your ability to spearhead a project. It requires interpersonal skills, an analytical mind, and a cool temperament; as a big part of your day-to-day is responding when things go wrong. Luckily, there are a wealth of resources, tools, and support options available to help you become a great project manager for any trade business.

Ready to go out on your own? Get prepared with a solid plan: 

Low on time? Skip ahead! 

1. Use technology
2. Leverage analytics in decision-making
3. Working with owners and stakeholders
4. Get a project manager certification
5. Reassess your skillset
6. Tradify - your personal project manager

1. Use technology

It’s time to put away the pen and paper. The cost and timing-saving benefits of switching to a job management system are tenfold, including tracking items and your staff, communicating with clients and managing your jobs. 

“I highly recommend Tradify because once you’re set up and running, you only get quicker at using it and it saves you so much time,” Adam Bear, K&H Electrical

When running a service-based company, client satisfaction can make or break your reputation. So, creating a smarter and more efficient workflow with project management software is a no-brainer!

Tradify is a simple way to automate admin tasks, leaving you with more time on the aspects that need your attention. Tradify can assist through; 

• Quoting and estimating – create quotes and estimates quickly from any device — on-site, on the go, on the couch or in the office.
• Invoicing – create professional-looking custom invoices quickly, so you can get paid faster.
• Scheduling – get a real-time view of project schedules, active jobs, and the locations of staff or subcontractors for real-time collaboration.
• Job tracking – keep track of time spent on jobs, organise work and create individual tasks for your staff or subcontractors. Make team collaboration easier than ever.
• Timesheets – create and submit digital timesheets and use the live job timer to record hours and track time.
• Enquiries – respond to enquiries wherever you are and whenever you like.
• Automated payment reminders – automatically send follow-up emails for unpaid invoices and get 
  paid faster.
• Subcontractor management – connect with subcontractors, organise jobs and send or receive important job information.

“We found it to be the most robust piece of software that was super easy to install and train our employees. We got up and running on the first day – there was zero business interruption, which was key for us as a small business.” - Mike Renwick, Scoreboard Enterprises

Start by exploring Tradify with a free trial to simplify and streamline your projects!

2. Leverage analytics in decision-making

Making well-informed and effective decisions often involves a combination of instincts and reliance on data-driven insights. Recognising patterns, forecasting future events, and making plans based on concrete data help in avoiding pitfalls and making the best use of your resources. The advantage of incorporating analytics in project management is its ability to uncover insights previously reliant on guesses or limited information. It provides clarity by showing project managers where investments yield the most return and where losses are occurring.

Curious about which projects are overusing your resources? Wondering about frequent hurdles in your processes, or interested in identifying the most valuable clients? Analytics provides clarity on these and other critical questions. Yet, the process of data analysis can be intricate and prone to mistakes, particularly when dealing with varied data sources and formats. To counter this, many project managers adopt embedded analytics, integrating data analysis into their existing project frameworks, tools, and processes.

Embedded analytics offers dynamic dashboards, detailed reports, and visual interpretations, which helps avoid the headache of deciphering an influx of data points. 

Take, for instance, a project manager at an HVAC company. Using embedded analytics, they can monitor team performance, gauge customer satisfaction, and enhance the deployment of new units - all through a clear, visual dashboard. When it comes time to share with stakeholders, clear reporting and visual dashboards help to create a straightforward presentation. 

Think of it as a forward-thinking strategy, enabling you to:

• Detect emerging trends,
• Anticipate upcoming obstacles,
• Proactively tackle issues before they worsen.

By harnessing this data, you and your team gain the insight needed to strategise. Decision-making becomes an informed process rather than a gamble, allowing you to proceed with greater confidence.

3. Working with owners and stakeholders

In trade businesses, major decisions are typically made by the business owner, possibly in consultation with key investors, stakeholders or advisors.

For someone stepping into a project manager role within such a trade business, learning how to use and incorporate these decisions, goals and findings is key. Why? It reflects the collective insight and direction set by the business's leadership. Each decision made by the owner or in consultation with investors should hold substantial significance in guiding your tasks and timelines.

Navigating this requires tact, understanding and strategies:

• Stay informed: Keep abreast of any major decisions made by the business owner or investors that could affect your projects or department.
• Be proactive: If a decision impacts your area of responsibility, initiate discussions with the owner or involved parties. Aim to understand their reasoning and seek clarification on any unclear aspects.
• Follow guidelines: Incorporate the directives from these decisions into your project plans and execution strategies.
• Establish clear communication: Regularly update the business owner or investors on the progress of projects influenced by their decisions. This communication allows for on-the-ground insights to be shared and can lead to adjustments if needed.

While deeply involved in the day-to-day management of projects, it's crucial to occasionally step back and consider the broader perspective.

By aligning with the key opinions of the business owner and maintaining active engagement with any investors or advisors, you help ensure that your projects not only achieve operational goals but also fit within the larger strategic framework of the business. This connection between execution and overarching strategy is what transforms a good trade company into an exceptional one.

4. Get a project manager certification

While there is a lot to be said about learning through experience, some large-scale projects or positions may require a formal qualification. Alternatively, if your company is growing rapidly, doing a project management course could ensure you have the knowledge and project management experience to manage critical projects.

The most common global certification for a career in project management is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

This 180-question project management certification exam tests project managers across a wide range of different areas. Passing this project management certification exam shows your mastery of basic and advanced project management principles. It’s a sign of dedication and professionalism, either as a stand-alone award or alongside a 4-year degree.

5. Reassess your skillset

Becoming a successful project manager doesn't just mean learning new skills through courses. It could also mean honing the skills you already have for the job. The expertise and skills you've amassed over the years in your specific industry, whether it's communication, problem-solving, or customer relations, form a strong foundation to manage a range of people, personalities and projects.

Skills that make a good project manager include;

• Risk management
• Negotiation
• Organization
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking
• Budgeting
• Project management methodologies
• Communication skills
• Conflict management
• Social skills
• Cost management
• Active listening
• Motivation
• Project planning
• Forecasting
• Research
• Collaboration
• Planning
• Team management

Translating these soft skills into action takes practice and time, including developing empathetic leadership and encouraging personal safety. 

6. Tradify - your personal project manager

Project management is easy with Tradify — the all-in-one job management platform. Manage all your jobs from start to finish, and streamline your day-to-day business operations. Tradify customers say they’re saving 10+ hours/week on paperwork and business admin.

Try a free 14-day trial today or book a free live walkthrough.