Relationship between project operations management and real world roles

Project Management and Operation Management may sound similar, and they are in some instances but not in all. When choosing between the two roles, it’s important to take into consideration the scope of work that comes with each, the skills required for the two different roles, as well as the day-to-day duties of each role.

In general, Operation Managers are in charge of how a business operates on a day-to-day basis and onboarding new employees, among other responsibilities. Project Managers, on the other hand, are more involved in and responsible for the projects the company undertakes. Project Managers are responsible for establishing and setting goals and objectives for the projects, as well as managing and supervising all the phases and overall progress of the projects undertaken by the company.

Here is a closer look at the difference and similarities between the two job roles below.

Project Management vs Operations Management

At first glance, these two job roles may seem similar as they are both involved in the business activities and meeting of business goals and objectives, but they are, in fact, two distinct roles in their own right. Although they may overlap at times; when the lifecycle of a product ends, when businesses develop, improve or expand a product range, and during the project closeout phase; the Project Managers will have to work with the Operations Managers to combine new processes with the operations team. In these situations, Project Managers and Operations Managers must work together in order to share knowledge and deliverables to ensure a positive and successful outcome for the business and its goals.

What does the Project Management role entail?

The Project Management role can be defined as a temporary endeavour undertaken in order to produce a set, or an individual, product or service, or to meet a specific requirement that the business needs. This management field, unlike Operations Management, has a defined start and end date associated with it, and once a project is completed and the Project Manager has wrapped up all loose ends, the Project Manager’s job is done and on to the next project they go.

The nature of the job requires a dynamic individual who stays calm under pressure, is easily adaptable and is an outstanding team leader with top-quality interpersonal skills in order to get the very best out of their team and all available resources. Without the necessary soft skills, such as great communication, conflict resolution, and time management skills, Project Managers will find their job exceptionally hard to do. This is because their job revolves around people, and being able to inspire and motivate a team will help you on the way to consistently producing successful project outcomes, as well as helping you become a successful Project Manager in your own right.

At a high level, Project Managers are responsible for the planning, execution, and closing of all the company’s projects. Typically, these projects have a set start and end date, with a defined scope of work and a set number of resources that would be needed in order to complete the project. It is the responsibility of the Project Manager to coordinate these resources and ensure that the project is delivered on time and on budget. With so many moving parts involved in a project, from start to finish, a Project Manager needs to be well organised in order to stay on top of the required work and to be able to predict any roadblocks or hiccups along the way.

As part of their everyday roles and responsibilities, project managers are expected to:

• Manage teams
• Plan and define projects
• Coordinate and oversee the execution of projects
• Oversee the schedule
• Monitor the budget and expenses
• Measure and report project progress to all individuals involved

What does the Operations Management role entail?

Operations Management involves managing the operations of a business to ensure efficiency in the execution of projects undertaken by the company. It is the Operations Manager’s responsibility to ensure that the business is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and as a key part of the management team, they are responsible for overseeing the various departments in a company to help coordinate them with one another so that they may work together towards a shared business goal.

An Operations Manager is more concerned with the day-to-day running of a business than a Project Manager is, as an Operations Manager is responsible for the managing, running and controlling of business operations within a company. Examples of operations management that an Operations Manager is responsible for include; manufacturing operations, production operations, accounting operations, maintenance operations, and software support.

An Operations Manager’s goal is to ensure that all business operations are resourceful, minimal and efficient resources are used, and the expectations and requirements of the customers are met. The field of Operations Management is all about delivering products, achieving quality throughout the business by implementing effective processes and procedures and creating value-added services.

As part of their everyday roles and responsibilities, Operations Managers’ responsibilities often include, but are not limited to;

• Overseeing daily operations
• Identifying and addressing problems and opportunities
• Managing the budgeting
• Planning, reporting, and auditing
• Ensuring regulatory compliance
• Developing operational policies and procedures

The similarities between the two roles

Although Project Management and Operations Management are entirely separate job roles, there are some similarities between the two. Both professions require several core skills, which include;

• Time management skills to ensure the project or operations adhere to timelines.
• Problem-solving skills to address unexpected roadblocks.
• Leadership skills to manage and develop team members.
• Strong communication skills to lead meetings, coach team members, and update stakeholders.
• Organisational skills to manage complex processes involved in an ongoing operation or a project.
• Adaptability skills are needed to be flexible and make adjustments when necessary.
• Technical skills to anticipate problems and suggest solutions.

As you can see, both hard skills, aka technical skills, and soft skills, are needed in both professions in order to get the most out of their team and resources as well as to ensure the success of each project. Without the necessary skills which can be taught through higher education, both Project Managers and Operation Managers will struggle in their profession of choice.

Training aligning with real-world roles

In order to develop the necessary skills, getting qualified in your profession of choice will go a long way in not only helping you understand the ins and outs of the job but will also help you to develop the necessary skills required in order to do your job. Choosing to upskill can provide much value to both your career and

your team as a Project Manager or Operations Manager and ensure the longevity and success of your career. With a wide range of options available to either kickstart your career or upskill, choosing a course has never been easier.

UCT and GetSmarter offer a range of quality online career upskilling courses in the Project Management and Operations Management fields. Their Project and Operations Management Online Short Courses include;

• UCT Project Management Foundations
• UCT Advanced Project Management
• UCT Agile Project Management
• UCT Programme Management: A Monitoring and Evaluation Approach
• UCT Operations Management
• UCT Advanced Operations Management

As you can see, there is a range of courses to choose from, from an operations management course online to Project Management online courses. Invest in yourself with an online course from one of the best higher education institutions in South Africa and reap the benefits for years to come.

Final words

Thrive in an ever-changing world and equip yourself with the necessary tools to hit the ground running in your career of choice. Whether it’s a Project Manager or Operations Manager position you are after, there is a wide selection of online courses to choose from top universities in South Africa. Prepare yourself for real-world roles and challenges by upskilling and staying on top of the latest trends, but also develop a variety of both soft and hard skills that are needed in order to be an effective manager.