Top 12 Project Management Consultant Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's fast-paced business environment, the demand for skilled project management consultants is at an all-time high. An impressive resume highlighting a blend of technical aptitude, strategic thinking, and soft skills can set you apart, demonstrating your capability to lead projects to successful completion in any industry.

Project Management Consultant Skills

1. Agile
2. Scrum
3. JIRA
4. Trello
5. Risk Management
6. Stakeholder Engagement
7. MS Project
8. PMP Certification
9. Budgeting
10. Negotiation
11. Team Leadership
12. Change Management

1. Agile

Agile is a project management methodology that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and customer satisfaction, focusing on iterative progress, adaptive planning, and rapid response to change.

Why It's Important

Agile is important because it enhances project adaptability, ensures customer satisfaction through continuous delivery, and promotes collaboration and feedback, leading to more effective and efficient project outcomes.

How to Improve Agile Skills

Improving Agile practices, especially from a Project Management Consultant's perspective, involves focusing on continuous improvement, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring alignment with customer needs. Here are concise strategies to enhance Agile methodologies:

1. Continuous Learning: Encourage ongoing education and adaptation of Agile practices. Agile Alliance offers resources and guides for deepening Agile understanding.

2. Feedback Loops: Implement short and efficient feedback loops with stakeholders to ensure the project aligns with customer needs and expectations. Mountain Goat Software provides insights on incorporating feedback effectively.

3. Empower Teams: Empower team members by promoting autonomy and ownership. This builds a more responsive and adaptive team. Scrum.org discusses ways to empower Agile teams.

4. Simplify Processes: Regularly review and simplify processes to eliminate waste and focus on value delivery. The Lean Enterprise Institute offers principles on lean thinking that can be applied to Agile.

5. Effective Tools: Utilize Agile project management tools effectively to enhance collaboration and visibility. Atlassian provides tools like Jira for managing Agile projects more efficiently.

6. Promote Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure a cohesive vision and product. Collaboration Superpowers offers tips on enhancing team collaboration.

7. Iterative Improvement: Focus on iterative development and continuous improvement. Use retrospectives to learn and adapt. Retrium specializes in facilitating effective retrospectives.

By implementing these strategies, a Project Management Consultant can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Agile methodologies within their teams or organizations.

How to Display Agile Skills on Your Resume

2. Scrum

Scrum is an agile framework for managing and completing complex projects, emphasizing iterative progress, team collaboration, and flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. It structures work into short, manageable cycles called Sprints, with regular reviews to ensure alignment with project goals.

Why It's Important

Scrum is important because it facilitates agility, adaptability, and quick responses to change, enabling more efficient project delivery and better alignment with customer needs.

How to Improve Scrum Skills

Improving Scrum involves enhancing collaboration, refinement, and flexibility within your team. Here are key strategies:

1. Enhance Collaboration: Foster open communication and teamwork. Encourage daily stand-ups and regular retrospectives. Scrum.org provides insights on implementing effective Scrum ceremonies.

2. Backlog Refinement: Keep the product backlog clear and prioritized. This ensures the team focuses on high-value tasks. Mountain Goat Software offers tips on refining your product backlog.

3. Adapt and Inspect: Encourage regular reviews of work processes and outcomes. Adapt based on feedback to improve productivity and product quality. Agile Alliance outlines the principles behind iterative improvement.

4. Empower the Team: Give teams autonomy to make decisions. This increases engagement and accountability. ScrumAlliance explores the roles within Scrum and how to empower them.

5. Continuous Learning: Promote ongoing education and skills development. Utilize resources like ProjectManagement.com for learning materials and community insights.

Implementing these strategies requires commitment and patience but can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your Scrum process.

How to Display Scrum Skills on Your Resume

3. JIRA

JIRA is a project management and issue tracking software developed by Atlassian, widely used for tracking bugs, managing tasks, and organizing projects across various teams.

Why It's Important

JIRA is crucial for a Project Management Consultant because it provides a versatile platform for tracking tasks, prioritizing work, managing sprints, and visualizing progress, thereby enhancing collaboration, ensuring project transparency, and facilitating efficient project delivery.

How to Improve JIRA Skills

Improving JIRA for project management involves streamlining processes, enhancing user experience, and leveraging integrations for better efficiency and visibility. Here are concise strategies:

1. Customize Dashboards: Tailor JIRA dashboards to display relevant project metrics and updates. Use gadgets wisely. (Atlassian Guide)

2. Optimize Workflow: Modify workflows to align with your project management methodologies. Add statuses, transitions, and post-functions to reflect your process. (Workflow Best Practices)

3. Leverage Automation: Automate repetitive tasks within JIRA to save time and reduce errors. Use JIRA's built-in automation rules or explore marketplace apps for advanced needs. (Automation in JIRA)

4. Integrate Tools: Connect JIRA with other tools like Slack, Confluence, or Trello for enhanced collaboration and information sharing. (Integration Marketplace)

5. Utilize Agile Boards: For Agile projects, fully utilize Scrum or Kanban boards for planning, tracking, and reporting. Customize boards to fit your team's workflow. (Agile Boards in JIRA)

6. Refine Issue Types and Fields: Ensure that issue types, fields, and schemes are configured to precisely reflect project requirements, making data entry and reporting more relevant. (Configuring Issue Types)

7. Conduct Regular Training: Regularly train and update the team on JIRA's features and best practices. (Training Options)

8. Monitor and Evaluate: Regularly review project performance metrics within JIRA and adjust configurations, processes, or strategies as necessary. (Reporting in JIRA)

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve JIRA's effectiveness for project management.

How to Display JIRA Skills on Your Resume

4. Trello

Trello is a web-based project management application that utilizes boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks and collaborate on projects, allowing users to visually track progress and manage projects efficiently.

Why It's Important

Trello is important for a Project Management Consultant as it provides an intuitive, visual platform to organize tasks, track project progress, and facilitate team collaboration efficiently, ensuring timely project delivery.

How to Improve Trello Skills

Improving Trello for a Project Management Consultant involves leveraging its flexible platform to enhance organization, collaboration, and tracking. Here's a concise guide:

1. Integrate with Power-Ups: Enhance functionality by integrating Trello with other tools like Slack, Google Drive, and Jira. Power-Ups Directory

2. Automate with Butler: Utilize Trello's built-in automation tool, Butler, to automate repetitive tasks, such as moving cards or creating checklists. Butler Automation

3. Custom Fields: Add custom fields to your cards to track important project details like due dates, priorities, or budgets. Custom Fields

4. Utilize Labels and Filters: Organize your projects by using labels for prioritization or categorization, and then filter to focus on specific tasks. Labels and Filtering

5. Enhance Collaboration: Share boards with your team and clients for real-time updates and feedback. Sharing Boards

6. Use Templates: Save time by creating or using existing project templates instead of starting from scratch. Trello Templates

7. Monitor Progress with Dashboards: Create dashboards using tools like Placker or Blue Cat Reports to visualize project progress and metrics. Placker | Blue Cat Reports

By implementing these strategies, a Project Management Consultant can significantly enhance their use of Trello for managing projects more effectively.

How to Display Trello Skills on Your Resume

5. Risk Management

Risk Management is the process of identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks followed by coordinated application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unforeseen events or maximize the realization of opportunities within a project.

Why It's Important

Risk management is crucial for a Project Management Consultant as it helps in identifying, assessing, and prioritizing risks to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unforeseen events, ensuring project success, budget adherence, and timely delivery.

How to Improve Risk Management Skills

Improving risk management, especially for a Project Management Consultant, involves a strategic approach focused on identifying, analyzing, and mitigating potential risks before they become problems. Here's a concise guide:

1. Identify Risks Early: Use tools and techniques like SWOT analysis and risk registers to catalog potential risks from the outset.

2. Analyze Risks: Evaluate the likelihood and impact of identified risks using methods such as qualitative and quantitative risk analysis.

3. Prioritize Risks: Use tools like the Risk Matrix to prioritize risks based on their severity and likelihood.

4. Implement Risk Responses: Develop strategies for each risk, whether it's avoidance, mitigation, transfer, or acceptance. Tailor strategies to the project's needs, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

5. Monitor and Review: Continuously monitor and review risks throughout the project lifecycle. This proactive approach enables adjustments to be made in a timely manner.

6. Foster a Risk-aware Culture: Encourage open communication about risks and ensure all team members are aware of the importance of risk management. Tools like risk breakdown structures can help visualize and communicate risks.

7. Use Risk Management Software: Incorporate software like Riskalyze or nTask to streamline the risk management process, from identification to mitigation.

By systematically applying these strategies, a Project Management Consultant can significantly improve risk management, leading to more successful project outcomes.

How to Display Risk Management Skills on Your Resume

6. Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholder Engagement in the context of Project Management refers to the systematic identification, analysis, planning, and implementation of actions designed to involve and communicate with those individuals or groups who have an interest or stake in the project's outcome, ensuring their input and concerns are considered throughout the project lifecycle to achieve successful outcomes.

Why It's Important

Stakeholder engagement is crucial for a Project Management Consultant because it ensures alignment on project goals, facilitates timely decision-making, and enhances support and cooperation across all parties involved, ultimately leading to successful project outcomes and enhanced client satisfaction.

How to Improve Stakeholder Engagement Skills

Improving stakeholder engagement as a Project Management Consultant involves a strategic approach focused on communication, understanding stakeholders' needs, and continuously evaluating the engagement process. Here's a very short and concise guide:

1. Identify Stakeholders: Recognize all parties affected by the project. Use tools like stakeholder maps for visualization.

2. Understand Needs and Expectations: Conduct surveys or interviews to grasp what stakeholders want and expect from the project. SurveyMonkey is a useful tool for this purpose.

3. Develop a Communication Plan: Tailor your communication strategy to meet the needs of different stakeholders. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers resources on effective communication plans.

4. Engage Continuously: Keep stakeholders informed and involved through regular updates and meetings. Consider tools like Slack for instant communication and Zoom for virtual meetings.

5. Solicit Feedback and Adapt: Use tools like Google Forms to collect stakeholder feedback, and be prepared to adjust your approach based on this feedback.

6. Evaluate Engagement: Regularly assess how engaged stakeholders are, using metrics or indicators relevant to your project's success. KPI Library can offer insights on what metrics to track.

By focusing on these steps and leveraging the suggested tools and resources, a Project Management Consultant can significantly improve stakeholder engagement throughout the project lifecycle.

How to Display Stakeholder Engagement Skills on Your Resume

7. MS Project

MS Project is a project management software developed by Microsoft that allows project managers to plan, execute, and track project tasks and resources, facilitating efficient project delivery.

Why It's Important

MS Project is important for a Project Management Consultant because it provides comprehensive tools for planning, scheduling, resource allocation, tracking progress, and analyzing project performance, enabling precise project management and decision-making.

How to Improve MS Project Skills

Improving your proficiency with MS Project as a Project Management Consultant involves several key steps focused on enhancing both your technical skills with the software and your ability to leverage its features for effective project management. Here's a concise guide:

1. Enhance Training: Deepen your understanding of MS Project's capabilities through advanced training courses. Websites like LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer specialized courses that cover both basic and advanced functionalities.

2. Utilize Templates: Streamline your project setup process by using and customizing MS Project templates. Explore Microsoft's own template resources for a variety of project types.

3. Leverage Integration: Improve efficiency by integrating MS Project with other Microsoft tools like Excel for data analysis, SharePoint for document management, and Teams for communication. Microsoft provides guidance on integrations.

4. Apply Best Practices: Adopt project management best practices within MS Project to enhance your workflow. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers valuable resources and guidelines that can be applied within MS Project.

5. Customize Views and Reports: Learn to customize views and reports to better track project progress and communicate with stakeholders. Microsoft offers a guide on customizing reports.

6. Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Increase your efficiency by mastering keyboard shortcuts in MS Project. A handy reference can be found on Microsoft's support page.

7. Join Communities: Engage with other Project Management professionals through forums and communities such as Microsoft's Project Community and Project Management Stack Exchange for tips, advice, and problem-solving.

8. Stay Updated: Keep your MS Project software up to date and stay informed about new features or updates. Microsoft regularly publishes updates and feature announcements on their Office Updates blog.

By focusing on these areas, you'll not only improve your mastery of MS Project but also enhance your overall effectiveness and efficiency as a Project Management Consultant.

How to Display MS Project Skills on Your Resume

8. PMP Certification

PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification is a globally recognized credential for project managers, validating their skills and knowledge in leading and directing projects. It’s essential for a Project Management Consultant to demonstrate expertise and commitment to the project management profession.

Why It's Important

PMP (Project Management Professional) certification is important for a Project Management Consultant because it validates their expertise and knowledge in project management principles, methodologies, and best practices, enhancing their credibility and marketability to potential clients and employers. It also signifies their commitment to the profession and ongoing professional development, positioning them as a competent and reliable expert in the field.

How to Improve PMP Certification Skills

To improve your PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification, follow these concise steps:

1. Gain Experience: Ensure you meet the PMI’s requirements for project management experience. Continuous practice enhances skills and knowledge.

2. Study the PMBOK® Guide: This is the foundational text for PMP certification. Understand its concepts thoroughly. PMBOK® Guide information.

3. Enroll in a PMP Prep Course: A structured learning environment can significantly improve your understanding. Many reputable institutions offer these courses. PMI’s Authorized Training Partners.

4. Practice with Mock Exams: Regularly test yourself with simulated exams to build confidence and time management skills. Websites like Project Management Academy offer practice tests.

5. Join a Study Group: Collaborating with peers can provide new insights and motivation. Explore forums and groups on Project Management.com.

6. Stay Updated: The field of project management evolves continually. Engage with the latest trends and updates through PMI’s resources and professional development opportunities.

By following these steps and leveraging the resources provided, you can enhance your PMP certification readiness and expertise as a Project Management Consultant.

How to Display PMP Certification Skills on Your Resume

9. Budgeting

Budgeting, in the context of a Project Management Consultant, involves estimating and allocating financial resources to ensure a project is completed within defined cost constraints, optimizing expenditure to achieve project goals efficiently.

Why It's Important

Budgeting is crucial for a Project Management Consultant as it ensures efficient allocation of resources, controls costs, enables financial planning, and ensures the project stays on track financially, maximizing profitability and stakeholder satisfaction.

How to Improve Budgeting Skills

Improving budgeting in project management involves strategic planning, regular monitoring, and adjustments. Here are concise steps tailored for a Project Management Consultant:

1. Define Objectives Clearly: Start with a clear understanding of the project's goals and requirements. Project Management Institute (PMI) offers resources on aligning project objectives with budgeting.

2. Utilize Historical Data: Use data from past projects to estimate costs more accurately. APM (Association for Project Management) provides insights on leveraging historical data for budget planning.

3. Adopt a Budgeting Tool: Implement project management and budgeting software for real-time tracking and analysis. Gartner reviews can help select the best tool.

4. Regularly Review and Adjust: Schedule frequent budget reviews to adjust for any project changes or unforeseen expenses. ProjectManagement.com offers strategies for effective budget monitoring.

5. Risk Management: Incorporate a contingency fund and risk management plan to address potential budget overruns. Risk Management Society (RIMS) has resources on integrating risk management into budgeting.

6. Stakeholder Engagement: Keep all stakeholders informed about the budget status and involve them in decisions affecting the budget. Forbes offers articles on effective stakeholder communication.

7. Continuous Learning: Learn from each project to improve future budget estimations and management. Harvard Business Review (HBR) provides case studies and articles on budget management best practices.

By following these steps and leveraging resources from reputable organizations and publications, a Project Management Consultant can significantly improve their budgeting process.

How to Display Budgeting Skills on Your Resume

10. Negotiation

Negotiation in the context of a Project Management Consultant involves the strategic discussion and agreement process between parties to align on project objectives, resources, timelines, and costs, aiming to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Why It's Important

Negotiation is crucial for a Project Management Consultant because it ensures the alignment of interests among stakeholders, secures resources, and resolves conflicts, leading to successful project outcomes and maintaining positive relationships.

How to Improve Negotiation Skills

Improving negotiation skills, especially for a Project Management Consultant, involves understanding both the fundamental principles of negotiation and how these principles apply in the specific context of project management. Here are concise steps to enhance your negotiation capabilities:

1. Prepare Thoroughly: Before entering any negotiation, understand your objectives, the limits of what you can accept, and the background of the other party. Preparation includes researching the project specifics, constraints, and the interests of all stakeholders.

2. Build Relationships: Establish trust and rapport with the other party. Strong relationships can lead to more open and effective negotiations.

3. Listen Actively: Pay attention to what the other side is saying and ask clarifying questions. Understanding their needs and concerns is crucial for finding mutually beneficial solutions.

4. Communicate Clearly and Effectively: Be clear about your needs and constraints without disclosing any strategic disadvantages unnecessarily. Effective communication also means being able to articulate the benefits of your proposals in terms that resonate with the other party.

5. Aim for Win-Win Solutions: Look for solutions that satisfy the essential needs of both parties. This approach fosters cooperation and can lead to better outcomes for future negotiations.

6. Be Prepared to Walk Away: Know your BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement). If the negotiation isn’t meeting your minimum requirements, be prepared to pursue your best alternative.

7. Practice and Reflect: Like any skill, negotiation improves with practice. After each negotiation, reflect on what went well and what could be improved.

For further reading and to deepen your understanding, consider these resources:

• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury provides a foundational approach to principled negotiation.

• Negotiation Skills for Project Managers by the Project Management Institute (PMI) offers insights tailored to the project management context.

• Harvard Business Review's 10 Must Reads on Negotiation compiles essential articles that provide diverse perspectives and advanced strategies for negotiators.

By integrating these strategies into your practice, enhancing your negotiation skills as a Project Management Consultant can lead to more successful project outcomes and stronger professional relationships.

How to Display Negotiation Skills on Your Resume

11. Team Leadership

Team leadership, in the context of a Project Management Consultant, involves guiding and motivating a project team towards achieving its goals, ensuring tasks are effectively allocated, progress is monitored, and obstacles are addressed, all while fostering collaboration and a positive team environment.

Why It's Important

Team leadership is crucial for a Project Management Consultant as it ensures clear direction, enhances coordination, fosters collaboration, and drives the successful completion of projects by maximizing the strengths and capabilities of all team members.

How to Improve Team Leadership Skills

Improving team leadership, especially in the context of Project Management Consulting, requires a focused approach on enhancing communication, fostering collaboration, and continuously developing leadership skills. Here are concise strategies to achieve this:

1. Enhance Communication: Implement clear and concise communication channels and regular check-ins. Adopt tools like Slack for instant messaging and Zoom for video conferencing to ensure seamless communication.

2. Foster Collaboration: Use project management tools like Asana or Trello to encourage collaborative work and transparency among team members. Encourage team-building activities to strengthen interpersonal relationships.

3. Develop Leadership Skills: Continuously seek personal growth through online courses and resources. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer courses specifically tailored for leadership development in project management.

4. Empower Team Members: Delegate responsibilities according to team members' strengths and encourage decision-making at all levels. Resources like Harvard Business Review provide insights and strategies on empowerment in leadership.

5. Adapt and Be Flexible: Stay informed on the latest project management trends and methodologies through sites like Project Management Institute (PMI) to adapt your leadership style and strategies to the evolving project environment.

By focusing on these key areas, project management consultants can effectively enhance their team leadership capabilities.

How to Display Team Leadership Skills on Your Resume

12. Change Management

Change Management, in the context of Project Management, involves the systematic approach to managing all changes made to a project, including identifying, documenting, approving, and implementing those changes to meet project objectives while minimizing disruption to plans and stakeholders.

Why It's Important

Change Management is crucial for ensuring that project adjustments are smoothly integrated, minimizing disruptions, maintaining stakeholder alignment, and enhancing project outcomes, thereby safeguarding the project's success and ROI.

How to Improve Change Management Skills

Improving Change Management involves strategic planning, clear communication, stakeholder involvement, and adaptable processes. Here's a concise guide:

1. Assess Change Impact and Readiness: Start by understanding the extent of the change and how ready the organization is to embrace it. Tools like Prosci’s ADKAR Model can be helpful.

2. Develop a Change Management Plan: Create a detailed plan that outlines the steps needed to implement the change. This includes communication strategies, training plans, and timelines. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers resources on change management planning.

3. Engage Stakeholders Early: Identify and engage all stakeholders early in the process. Use communication plans that address their concerns and expectations. The Change Management Institute offers insights on stakeholder engagement.

4. Communicate Effectively and Often: Regular, clear, and transparent communication is key. Tailor your communication to different audiences to ensure relevance and understanding. McKinsey & Company provides strategies for effective change communication.

5. Provide Training and Support: Offer comprehensive training and support to help employees adapt to the change. This could include workshops, manuals, and one-on-one support sessions. ATD (Association for Talent Development) has resources on training and development.

6. Monitor Progress and Adapt: Use metrics and feedback to track the progress of the change process. Be prepared to adapt your plan based on what is or isn’t working. The Balanced Scorecard Institute offers methodologies for measuring performance.

7. Celebrate Successes: Recognize and celebrate milestones and successes to maintain momentum and morale. This reinforces the value of the change and encourages continued engagement.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance the effectiveness of change management within your projects, driving better outcomes and higher levels of acceptance among all stakeholders.

How to Display Change Management Skills on Your Resume