Know What a Project Support Officer Is & Related Details

Project management is essential to deliver successful outcomes in the fast-paced business world. Behind every significant project lies a strong support team. 

In this team, roles such as programme director or project manager often take centre stage. However, another key figure on this team ensures the project runs smoothly. That’s the project support officer.

This article will inform you about what a project support officer is and related details.

An Overview Of What A Project Support Officer Is

A Project Support Officer (PSO) ensures projects are executed smoothly by providing logistical, coordination, and administrative support to project teams. 

The key responsibilities of PSOs are:

• Track project progress 
• Manage documentation
• Coordinate meetings 
• Assist with risk management
• Ensure communication between stakeholders 

These officers ensure that budgets are monitored, issues are promptly addressed, and tasks stay on schedule. They help deliver successful outcomes and improve project efficiency across industries.

Detailed Job Description of a Project Support Officer

The PSO takes up several project analysis, research, implementation, administrative and reporting activities. This is to support the delivery and development of projects, in accordance with the established project objectives and plans.

In addition to knowing what a project support officer is, you should be aware of the job description.

Have a look at the project support officer job description, outlining the key responsibilities:

• Collate and update records and documentation regarding relevant policies, practices and issues. This is to ensure that project delivery complies with the agreed project management methodology.
• Provide operational and project support. This includes reporting and monitoring project milestones, deliverables, and plans to ensure cost, quality, and time indicators align with the approved project plans.
• Assist the project team in completing tasks.
• Take up basic analysis and research in assigned project areas and contribute to project brief preparation to support informed planning and decision-making.
• Communicate with concerned stakeholders to provide updates on implementation issues and project status.
• Implement project plans to ensure agreed outcomes are achieved.
• Provide administrative and secretariat services to support project management delivery.

You must note that the actual job description can vary with organisations and industries.

Read to Explore Leading Companies Hiring PGDip Grads for Project Roles.

Skills Required To Be a PSO

You need the required skill set to carry out the daily responsibilities of a PSO successfully. Besides knowing what a project support officer is, you must be aware of the skills required.

Given below are the skills that you must target to acquire to be a PSO. Have a look at them:

1. Personal Skills

Personal skills include the behaviours and approaches towards work that you need to be a successful PSO.

Here are some of the personal skills that you will need for this role:

• Verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Time management 
• Self-motivated nature 
• Team player 
• Active listening skills
• Interested in personal development and learning

2. Project Management Skills

You need to be familiar with the fundamentals of project management to support the project team. These fundamentals include:

• Project management lifecycles and methodologies
• Knowing how projects are planned 
• Knowing how to track issues, changes and risks on the project 
• Keeping documents under control 
• Knowing who makes the decisions and how 
• Informing people regarding the progress of the project 
• Keeping track of expenditure 

This list can go further, and the knowledge required will depend on the way your organisation delivers and manages projects.

If you want to pursue a programme to gain project management skills, you can consider the Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management programme at Regenesys Education.

3. Office Skills

Besides the project management skills, you need to have general office skills to be successful at your daily tasks.

Have a look at those skills here:

• You must be able to use a PC and perform general programs on it, including emails and word processing.
• MS Excel familiarity, especially using pivot tables and formulas.
• Comfortable using new programs, including Trello, SharePoint, and Slack.
• MS PowerPoint familiarity
• PPM tools like MS Project 

Know the Top Reasons to Pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management Today.

A Look at the Project Support Officer Interview Questions 

For this role, interviewers seek candidates who can resolve conflicts, manage people, and perform as a liaison if issues arise between stakeholders. 

In addition to knowing what a project support officer is, you can take note of the interview questions that can be asked. It can be helpful if you target this role going forward.

Given below are some of the interview questions that you can look into for that purpose:

• Describe a time when you had to solve a project issue by thinking out of the box.
• Describe a project where you provided support from start to finish.
• Give an example of a successful team project in which you were involved and what your contributions were.
• Did you ever face a technical challenge in a project? If yes, how did you resolve it?
• Describe your experience with project management tools and software.
• Describe a situation where your communication skills significantly impacted a project.
• What techniques or tools do you use to solve problems in projects effectively?
• Do you have any experience with managing risk in projects?
• How do you handle misunderstandings in a project team?
• How do you ensure effective and clear communication with the various stakeholders in a project?

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Conclusion

Project Support Officers bring clarity, governance and structure to all phases of a project. Organisations are recognising the importance of consistency and governance across portfolios. This makes the PSO role crucial.

Now that you know what a project support officer is and other relevant details, you can make an informed decision whether or not to pursue this role.

If you look forward to this role and seek a reputable institution to acquire project management skills, consider Regenesys Education.

Visit the website and check the programme requirements today.

What a Project Support Officer Is – FAQ