Part 4

Granite Insights: Maarit Takavainio, project manager

February 22, 2024

Share this post

Welcome to the fourth part of the Graniitti Insights series!

In the fourth part of the series, we dive deeper into Maarit, Graniitti's experienced project manager. Read below how Maarit emphasizes the importance of collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the success of the project.

1. How long have you been with Graniitti?

About two years

2. What has been the best thing about working at Graniitti?

- One of the best aspects of working at Graniitti has been the opportunity to work in various companies and projects with diverse tasks and challenges. Additionally, being part of the Graniitti team and contributing to the development of Graniitti's operations has been fantastic. It's enriching to be part of multiple work communities at the same time.

3. What do you enjoy doing in your free time the most?

- In my free time, I enjoy sports, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. Traveling is something I wish I could do more of. It allows me to learn about new cultures and places, bringing perspective to various aspects of life.

4. Describe your role as a project manager.

- As a project manager, I'm responsible for overseeing the big picture. My role involves coordinating projects, maintaining open and inclusive communication, and exercising leadership skills. Projects often entail managing change. Additionally, a fundamental understanding of IT is essential. Being a project manager also requires a certain level of courage. Each new assignment is like starting a new job, so I must be able to handle pressure and stress.

5. What are the key responsibilities in your role?

- Key responsibilities include monitoring project progress, ensuring effective communication and information flow both within the project team and externally. It's crucial that all agreed-upon matters are documented and accessible to everyone involved. People are the driving force of the project, so it's the project manager's responsibility to keep them informed about the project's status and direction at all times.

6. What are the most common challenges in your role, and how do you overcome them?

- Continuous time pressure, especially towards the end of a project, is one of the challenges I face. I manage my workload meticulously and communicate early if I need support. Projects often involve multiple stakeholders and companies, so it's essential to align everyone's schedules, requirements, and practices. I handle these challenges with effective communication and negotiation skills. Leading both the work and the people involved is always a crucial aspect of project management, and I keep the big picture clear in my mind.

7. How do you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the success of the project?

- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams requires strong social skills. As I am often an "outsider" to the team, I strive to quickly understand their needs and ways of working. Courage to ask questions and active listening are crucial in this process.

8. How do you stay agile and adapt to changing customer requirements?

- I utilize various frameworks such as SaFe and Scrum to support more flexible work practices. They provide guidance and tools that help the project operate more agilely. By continuously learning and following more experienced professionals, I stay updated on best practices.

9. What do you enjoy the most about your role?

- What I enjoy most about the role of a project manager is its diversity and challenges. I love the complexity of diverse and international projects, but above all, I value leadership. People make my work inspiring and meaningful. As a consultant project manager, I get to meet a wide range of people and observe various working methods, from which I can always learn more.

Our experts

From us, you'll find the industry's toughest experts to successfully complete your project. Get to know our experts in more detail.

Take it contact us

Get in touch, and let's discuss how we can help you succeed in business transformations and IT projects, ensuring successful implementation.