What is a Digital Project Manager?

With the growing collaborative nature of digital projects, it has become more crucial for organizations to designate someone reliable to manage the project and steer the team to achieve the desired outcomes.

After all, companies need an expert who can complete, delegate, and oversee various tasks and teams involved in creating and producing a digital project. That shows you just how crucial Digital Project Managers are in every company.

If you’ve been considering a career path in Digital Project Management or you are simply interested in knowing what kind of work is developed within this role, this article is in your best interest! We’ll discuss the roles and responsibilities of a Digital Project Manager and the skills you need to become one. 

Digital Project Manager Job Description

A Digital Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and smooth operation of various projects within a company. These are mostly projects that use web and deliver digital products.

For instance, managing new websites, mobile applications, videos, marketing campaigns, and online tools. The project manager must complete a digital project within a specific timeline and budget while maximizing the ROI (Return On Investment).

Digital Project Management Requirements

To qualify for this position as a Digital Project Manager, you should have the following skills and qualifications:

• Master in Project Management is a plus
• Practical experience with content management software, project management software, and Google Analytics
• Tech savvy and have a deep understanding of how to use technology to achieve business goals
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other team members

Digital Project Manager Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a digital project manager vary depending on the company and the type of digital project they manage.

But generally, a Digital Project Manager is in a leadership position and is required to organize and guide other team members to complete a project successfully.

However, some of the expected roles and responsibilities may include:

• Analyzing the specific requirements of a project and preparing completion deadlines and budgets
• Monitoring the progress of projects and providing progress reports to clients and stakeholders
• Collaborating with clients and other team members throughout the project
• Conducting market research and identifying the most effective channels for digital marketing
• Establishing good relationships with clients and other team members
• Using content management systems and project management software
• Aligning the company's digital marketing strategies with the overall business goals
• Staying up to date with developments in the field of digital marketing
• Managing project risks and shortfalls
• Ensuring the outcomes of the final project meet customer expectations and are valuable to the user

Digital Project Manager Skills

If you want to pursue a career in digital project management, there are several soft and hard skills that can help you establish your career as a Digital Project Manager.

Some of these skills include:

Strong Communication Skills

As a Digital Project Manager, you must communicate with clients, stakeholders, and other team members. Therefore, it's essential that you are a good communicator. You must listen to clients and fully understand their requirements.

Also, you must be able to articulate project goals, expectations, and progress, as well as actively listen to feedback and concerns. Good communication skills help ensure that everyone involved is on the same page, reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings and project delays.

Attention to Detail

Sometimes, even the slightest error can cause significant issues when handling digital projects. That's why, as a Digital Project Manager, you must have a ‘hawk eye’ for catching errors. You need to review the project plans and identify potential risks early to avoid costly mistakes that may compromise the integrity of the entire project.

Results Focused

As a Digital Project Manager, you must deliver results within a specified time and budget. Therefore, you must be goal-oriented and continuously monitor progress to ensure the project stays on track. Focusing on outcomes will drive efficiency and productivity, contributing to the project's success.

Strong Organizational Skills

Most digital projects tend to be complex. Therefore, as a Digital Project Manager, you must be very organized to keep everything running smoothly. That means you must be skilled at planning, prioritizing tasks, and setting up efficient workflows. Also, you must know how to use project management tools to allocate resources, manage deadlines, and track progress.

Manage Cross-Functional Teams

Digital projects involve diverse teams with different skills and expertise. That said, as a Digital Project Manager, you must understand each team member's role and ensure that everyone is working together to achieve a common goal. That may involve resolving conflicts, communicating expectations, and motivating the team to perform at their best.

What Methodology Do Digital Project Managers Follow?

Digital Project Managers use different methodologies to complete projects. These methodologies fall into four categories: Waterfall, Agile, Kanban, and Scrum.

Waterfall

Waterfall is a more conventional, step-by-step approach, ideal for projects with clear phases. It is much like constructing a building. You must follow a strict plan from start to end.

Agile

The agile approach is a more evolved methodology that prioritizes flexibility and collaboration. The team is expected to respond swiftly and efficiently to changes. Also, clients and stakeholders can be involved at different stages to ensure their expectations are being met.

Kanban

This process is a form of Agile methodology where the team uses cards to visualize the various phases of a project. It is one of the most effective ways for teams to identify any potential problems in the project and visualize solutions.

Scrum

This is another form of Agile methodology that divides the project into smaller milestones that teams can complete quickly. This methodology works well when a team is working on a complex project since it helps them prioritize important tasks.

As a project manager, you'll choose the methodology based on what best aligns with your organization, team, and project. But while at it, remember that no two projects are exactly the same, so adaptability is key.

Digital Project Manager Tools

There are several tools a project manager can also leverage to effectively and efficiently achieve the goals set in place for a specific project. For instance, they can use cloud-based project management and collaboration tools.

These tools allow the Digital Project Manager to perform at their best. In that, the Project Manager can monitor the progress of the project and see ways to optimize it so that it's completed successfully.

Also, these tools allow Digital Project Managers to communicate with stakeholders, clients, and team members seamlessly to ensure the successful completion of the project. That includes progress reports and status updates on meetings.

Final Thoughts: Digital Project Manager Role

Digital Project Management is a lucrative role that has a lot of competition. Therefore, to stay ahead of other job seekers, it's important that you continue expanding your knowledge base. That will make you the most valuable candidate for every company.

And one of the best ways to do that is by enrolling for a Master's Degree and getting certifications. For instance, you can enroll for a Master in Project Management from EAE Business School Madrid. You will acquire optimal training that will equip you to become a marketing executive who will offer great value to any company.