Does a Project Manager Who is Trained and Certified in Project Management Need to be From a Specific Industry to Manage a Project in that Industry? Introduction

Does a Project Manager Who is Trained and Certified in Project Management Need to be From a Specific Industry to Manage a Project in that Industry?
Introduction
 Project managers are professionals tinged with the duty of coordinating large scale activities in an organization (Kendrick par. 1). Basically a project manager has the key duty of analysis, specification, implementation, design, testing and development of new projects in a given firm. Project managers set goals and objectives, manage budgetary
allocations, build the necessary project requirements, and coordinate workers from all over the organization to accomplish the task at hand (Bender, 22). It is worth mentioning at this point that during training a project manager receives all the necessary information pertaining leadership, ethical practices and other skills required in managing a project. Furthermore, the manager is bound to come up with a team that will be helping in fulfilling the vision of the organization funding the project (Young 127; Bender 22; Kendrick par 7). This paper will discuss whether or not a trained and certified project manager has to be tied to a specific industry.
Are Certified and Trained Project Managers Restricted to a Given Industry?
To defuse the technicality in the importance of a trained and certified manager being restricted to manage a specific project in their related industry, it is good to look at the technicalities that each industry hold, and whether or not the project management duties differ by industry.  The projects are unique to a given company yes but they follow the same steps in their implementation and thus success (Bender 22). Once an individual is certified as a project manager there are no restrictions as to what industry they should work in provided they have what it takes to manage a project. The fact that the individual has trained and is certified makes them fit for the job. Bender (22) argues that the projects managers’ role is not to do the job itself but instead lead the team that is responsible for the work breakdown structure. This means that the project manager does not actually work on the project directly but indirectly through coordinating a competent workforce of capable professions. The project manager is not the subject matter expert in all the disciplines integrated to make the project a success (Bender 23). Therefore, the manager has to have consultations with those who have the knowhow of how things should be done. Even in areas of the project manager’s expertise he or she will have to entrust the planning as well as execution tasks to others so that they can manage both disciplines (Young 190). When a manager is so much concerned with management of themselves during the project they tend to underperform and forget team work. Additionally, when the PM is from a given industry they will engage in the project, in this way they fail to do their duty of managing the team on the ground. As a result, the team flounders and the project might end up crumbling.
The main fear that a PM (Project Manager) should be tied to an industry mainly results from the premise that they should have technical knowhow of the processes in the industry. This is not true either because, to come up with a plan, the manager has to coordinate the team of experts that will draft the plan, explain it to him and his is to evaluate together with the stakeholders and the sponsors the viability of the plan in terms of feasibility (Bender 22). In this case the PM ensures that the right resources are chosen for the job, the team is able and that the project starts on time. All this is done with the consult of experts who assist the manager in manning the project. There is also room for the manager to learn what the project will entail prior to being given the opportunity of managing it (Young 274). This makes it even much easier for a PM who lacks the knowhow of the industry to work effectively and accomplish the mission and vision of a given organization.
Conclusion
Project manager profession is a very independent career provided one is trained and certified. Unlike other management careers project management gives an avenue of one to practice in areas they do not have technical knowledge in. The training itself gives an opportunity to manage all projects across the board. There is also chance for the managers to learn in case they have been given duties in a relatively new industry. Bottom line is that a project manager can work anywhere regardless of the industry in question. This is because they have capable team of experts to aid in making the project a success.



Works Cited
Bender, Michael B. A Manager's Guide to Project Management: Learn How to Apply Best Practices. Upper Saddle River: FT Press, 2010. Print.
Kendrick, Tom. "Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Project Manager?" Professional Leadership Development & Management Training Programs | AMA. AMA-American Management Association, 21 May 2014. Web. 25 Feb. 2015. <http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/Do-You-Have-What-It-Takes-to-be-a-Project-Manager.aspx>.
Young, Trevor L. The Handbook of Project Management: A Practical Guide to Effective Policies, Techniques and Processes. Ebbw Vale : Creative Print and Design, 2007. Print.