Project Controller
What do Project Controllers do?
A project controller oversees the health of a project through a variety of skills, tools and techniques to drive performance. They feed this information to the various stakeholders involved. A project controller needs to ensure they know what stage the project is at, the cost of reaching that stage, the direction the project is heading and how to manage any issues that have risen.
Typical duties and responsibilities of a Project Controller
- Schedule Management: Creating realistic and clear schedules.
- Cost Management: Preparing and managing cost estimates for each stage of a project.
- Risk Management: Highlighting and escalating project risks to the relevant people.
- Project Reporting: Creating reports and forecasts of the projects.
Skills and knowledge required to be a Project Controller
- Technical Expertise: Knowledge of the fundamentals of project management, combined with strong analytical skills.
- Interpersonal Skills: Clear communication abilities.
- Future Focussed: Effective goal setting.
- Adaptability and Flexibility: Time management.
- Budgetary & Schedule Management: Estimating, monitoring, tracking, analysing, reporting and reacting.
How do I become a project controller?
There are many ways to become a Project Controller, including but not limited to: completing a university degree in a relevant field; becoming employed as an apprentice; and working and progressing internally towards the role.
Some brief information on these next steps can be found below.
University
There are many degrees you can study to develop the skills needed to be a project controller including STEM subjects such as engineering and science, along with business administration, finance, and project management (just to name a few!). These areas of study can develop your ability to operate projects successfully. Some employers may require a master’s degree or other project management qualifications. Beyond this, it is possible to become a Chartered Project Professional, which is a professional benchmark that shows a defined level of understanding in project control.
Apprenticeships
Another great pathway for those ready to get stuck into work is a degree apprenticeship, this route provides the opportunity to work within the industry/ role whilst earning a paid for degree relevant to project control.
Working towards the role
Many companies provide opportunities to move within the company and be seconded in different roles along with various professional development opportunities such as qualifications and training. Alongside this it is invaluable to study towards the Association for Project Management (APM)’s recognised qualifications.
