To plan, execute and successfully complete a project, it’s necessary to have a project manager to manage it. A project manager is a difficult position to fill as it requires a wide swath of skills, from a knowledge of methodologies to a mastery of communication. It’s hard to find a person who is both comfortable with process and adept at motivating teams to do their best. So, when 6 months ago Alfonso De Carolis replied to Palumbo Malta Superyachts Refit hunting for an additional PM and demonstrated his breadth of knowledge to handle every aspect of the role, he was immediately hired.
Let’s know more about it from Mr. De Carolis himself.
First of all, have you worked in this industry before?
“Though much of project management is the same from industry to industry, I actually gained direct experience by working for Dinamiq Yachts, which is a plus and certainly makes me more comfortable in the position.”
What tasks do you usually perform?
“Planning, monitoring and reporting on any projects from the simple to the more complex ones is what I mainly do, but there’s more to it, like: designing, quality controlling, dealing with vendors and, last but not least, managing workforces. Teams are a project’s most valuable resource and I have to keep their morale high and manage their workload so as to make sure no one is given too many tasks while others are idle. Given that where there are people there are conflicts, at times I act a bit as a psychologist to quickly resolve problems not just between team members but also with stakeholders, vendors, etc..“
Can you manage to achieve a healthy work/life balance?
“Relaxing and spending quality time with my family is paramount for me and it works wonders for recharging my mind and body and, in turn, increasing my productivity.
Admittedly it’s not easy, because here at Palumbo Malta Superyachts Refit we are extremely busy all the time. However, I heavily rely on a tight monitoring of the projects to make sure our teams are aligned with the plans, and sharing with them a good relationship and a real passion for our job helps considerably. Prioritization is another important tool. There’s usually more work in a day than can be accomplished, so the trick is to determine what is crucial and what could be delayed if necessary. After all, working non-stop has never led anyone to high success, it only accelerates the speed of reaching burnout…and we all agree on that in this shipyard.”
If you were given the chance, what would you like to change about your current job?
“I love my job, I get on extremely well with all my colleagues who embrace with me every challenge with my same enthusiasm, and I like Palumbo Malta Superyachts Refit’ core values and entrepreneurial philosophy…why should I want to change anything?”
