There have been many developments in recent years that have transformed the way we work. These days, the workplace is more flexible and people have more autonomy in the way they choose to operate, as do many businesses. The gig economy in particular has been transformative in many industries, and those working in project management, in particular, have needed to adapt to this. Traditionally, project management professionals, following a PMI, PRINCE2 or APM project management approach, were typically employed for long-term engagements. However, this is not always the case these days. The gig economy has plenty of benefits for flexible project management professionals, but there are challenges to overcome if you wish to master project management in the gig economy. This useful guide will talk you through the knowledge and strategies you’ll need to not only survive in the gig economy, but thrive as well.
What is the gig economy?
Typically, the gig economy replaces the conventional 9 to 5 employment model, giving way to freelance work, independent contractors and short term contracts. Many believe it is fuelled from a combination of technological advancements and the desire for a better work life balance.
While this is achievable, it takes time and effort to ensure you can cope with the challenges within the gig economy.
Challenges for project managers in the gig economy
There are a variety of unique challenges to this type of work model, which include:
Communication challenges – Often, project managers working within the gig economy must handle teams that are based in different time zones. Knowing how to handle this properly will help avoid misunderstandings, miscommunications and delays.
Coordinating challenges – Being able to manage a team with diverse skills and array of different working times can be a logistical nightmare if not handled properly.
Team cohesion challenges- Fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork can be difficult when freelancers have not met, and are not tied into a long-term commitment.
Quality and consistency challenges – if deliverables are not clearly defined, and freelancers are not effectively on-boarded, the output may not be up to standard.
Legal challenges – Working with freelancers across borders may come with legal and financial challenges, and understanding regulations in a variety of different countries can be tricky.
Skills to work on for project managers working in the gig economy
As well as completing PM courses, which will give you the foundation for success as a project manager, there are also some soft skills that you must draw upon to ensure that you are able to operate in this dynamic environment.
- Flexibility- In an environment that is ever changing, project managers must be adaptable to cope with new technology, a diverse set of team members, and new situations.
- Technological know-how- By mastering a variety of different types of project management software, as well as communication platforms you will be able to easily allocate tasks progress and streamline communication.
- Communication skills – It is more vital than ever that you are able to communicate with a variety of people from all walks of life and across borders. it will be necessary for you to articulate expectations clearly and provide regular feedback to team members. Listening is also a big part of communication, and it is vital that you understand your team members and their unique skills and situations to enable you to work better with them.
- Cultural intelligence- Some knowledge and understanding of different cultures will really help you to work better with team members from a variety of different countries. Respecting cultural differences even if you do not understand them is vital in building a cohesive team.
- Conflict resolution – Not every project will run smoothly and you will need to be able to manage conflicts that you may not come across by working with teams in person.
- Negotiation – With stakeholders and team members based elsewhere, face-to-face meetings may not always be possible, and you will need to use your negotiation skills in all correspondence as well as in virtual meetings.
Tips to help you succeed
There are various strategies and tools that you can draw upon to be a successful project manager in the gig economy. Some of these include:
Technology
Project management technology allows you to centralise your communication with team members and stakeholders alike. Choosing the right platform can mean the difference between well organised successful projects and a scattered project that is hard to keep track of. Trello, Monday and Asana are great choices, but there are also new disruptors such as Motion, Hive and Teamwork that gig economy project managers could explore.
Networking
Building a network with others in the gig economy such as freelancers, other project managers and creatives can give you a network to draw upon if you run into problems. Social media can be useful for this but there are also specific platforms through which you can find people working in the gig economy, such as Lunchclub and Indie Hackers.
Community building
There are plenty of platforms for you to help foster a sense of belonging with team members no matter where they are based. You can opt for virtual coffee mornings, team building activities online or you can share project software such as online whiteboards to help build collaboration between your team.
Up-to-date industry knowledge
It’s vital to keep up-to-date with any trends in project management in the gig economy so that you can draw upon new innovations to better manage your project team.
Is there a future for project management in the gig economy?
There is no doubt that the gig economy is transforming the way we work, and it looks very much like it is here to stay. Due to many businesses\’ desire to embrace flexible working models, a project manager who can adapt to work in the gig economy will be in high demand. By using the tools and strategies above, collaboration, cohesion and organisation can be made easier, no matter where in the world your team and stakeholders are based.
