Everything You Need To Know About Becoming A Project Team Member
A project team member gets to work in an ever-changing role. They go from place to place with their team creating, innovating and introducing new systems. If you’re someone who tires of a job after a few months, then being a project team member might be a great fit for you!
What is a project team member?
A project team member works on projects with their colleagues, usually overseen by the project manager. They are often called in with their team to review, create or implement a new system. They can sometimes be a part of a team within an existing company or a consulting team.
What do project team members do?
A project team member works under the project manager to execute the plans of the team. Their role can be vastly different depending on which industry they are working in and what kind project they are working on. But tasks can often include designing and innovating new systems, writing project briefs, researching and writing reports, testing systems, training staff and documenting the project deliverables.
Where do project team members work?
Project team members can work for a particular company in-house, or for a consulting firm brought in by the company. Project team members and their teams are found in the IT industry, education sectors, in healthcare and construction. There’s a lot of scope for project team members to work across a variety of industries and bring their expertise and creative problem solving skills to the table.
How much do project team members earn?
Project team members can earn up $75 per hour depending on the industry they are working in, whether they are working in-house or consulting for a business. But as this particular role changes depending on the company you are working for, the rate can change with the project.
How do you become a project team member?
Project team members often have experience in other fields, whether it be IT, administration or even construction. Whatever your experience, all different kinds of backgrounds provide additional expertise to be applied in this role.
The recommended course to make this career shift would be the Certificate IV in Project Management. This course is delivered entirely online and you can start at any time and study from anywhere in Australia. Because the course is delivered through self-paced, trainer supported study it means you can fit it in around your other commitments.
In the course you’ll learn how to;
- Apply project scope management techniques
- Apply project time management techniques
- Apply project quality management techniques
- Apply project cost management techniques
- Apply project risk management techniques
- Apply project life cycle management processes
- Coordinate business resources
- Develop personal work priorities
- Implement and monitor WHS policies, procedures and programs
You can learn more about the course here.
Costs and Funding
The course costs $2480 but there are payment options and plans you can explore. You can learn more about those here. This course is also covered by some funding for eligible applicants. If you’re working in the construction industry you might be able to get some of the cost covered by Construction Skills Queensland funding.
To be eligible for the CSQ funding you need to meet the following criteria;
- be an Australian or New Zealand citizen; or a permanent resident of Australia; or a visa holder with the relevant permission to work
- be an eligible or unemployed worker in the Building and Construction Industry in QLD
You can learn more about the CSQ funding here.
What kind of skills do you need to be project team member?
Depending on the role and which company you’re working for, the skills you’ll need will change slightly but here’s five soft skills that will be valuable no matter your industry as a project team member.
Time Management
Working as a project team member you’ll have a lot of competing priorities in this high pressure environment. In project management all team members, collaborators, and departments need to work in tune to ensure everything runs to the timeline for the project. You’ll need excellent time management skills in order to cope with the workload and keep the project on track. These skills are essential for project team members.
Collaboration
In project management you work with other project team members, outside contractors, and various departments, so collaboration and team work skills are key. You’ll need to be able to work with others, taking in different points of view and finding the best path forward for the project goals regardless of their source. You’ll need to take suggestions and criticisms from the company department heads and other members of the team so that together you achieve the best possible outcomes.
Risk Management
Minimising risk in the scope of large projects is very important to working in project management. Considerations to the costs, budgeting restrictions and the overall impact or disruption on the company’s day-to-day operations will all come into play.
Knowing how to identify and assess risk will help you and the other project team members to facilitate the project plans while avoiding too many disruptions or budget changes.
Communication
This role requires excellent communication skills. You’ll need to research and write reports, liaise with department heads, team members and outside stakeholders to communicate the progress and plans of the project and seek feedback. Because this role involves a lot of communication across a wide range of colleagues and groups associated with the project, you will need to be able to alter your approach depending on who you are dealing with.
Problem Solving
In this role you are often designing a whole new system or fixing a broken one and so creative problem solving is essential. Bringing a fresh innovative approach is all a part of the job for these consummate professionals.
Final Thoughts
If you’re someone who loves change and likes to take on new challenges, then becoming a project team member could be the right thing for you!
You can learn more about this exciting career path by checking out the course here or get in touch with us. We’d love to help you find the right course for you.