PMX Perspectives
Insights from a PMX-er
“I love taking something complex and making it feel manageable. There’s a creative side to that kind of problem solving that people don’t always associate with this field.”
Shane Ciaravalle
Senior Project Manager
PMX Perspectives
From assistant PM to leading $60 million airport expansions, check out how Shane turned multi-phased infrastructure challenges into career-defining growth opportunities.
Q: Which particular strengths or skills do you think have driven your success in advancing your project management career?
A: There are a handful of qualities that are commonly listed as crucial for a project manager (PM) to have, and with good reason. Organization, time management, and adaptability are essential. But for me, some of the less commonly mentioned traits that have made the biggest difference are curiosity and perseverance.
Curiosity keeps me engaged and helps me ask better questions. Perseverance is, in my view, the most crucial quality for a PM. When challenges arise, the best approach is to stay calm, focused, and keep pushing forward. Perseverance is often less about pushing harder and more about staying steady.
Q: What aspects of your current position do you find most rewarding?
A: The bonds you build with the people you work with are what stand out the most. Getting through challenging situations together and sharing that sense of team victory leads to a type of trust that only comes from showing up for each other when it matters. You go through tough moments, solve problems under pressure, and come out the other side knowing exactly who you can count on.
On an individual level, I really enjoy taking something complex and finding a way to simplify it. There’s a creative side to that kind of problem solving that people don’t always associate with this field, but I think there’s real satisfaction and beauty in making something complicated feel manageable. Keep it simple!
Q: How would you advise someone who’s just starting out in construction project management?
A: Stay humble when it comes to learning. This is a complex industry, and there’s always more to understand. Ask questions, admit what you don’t know, and don’t fake it. Acting like you’ve got it all figured out is the fastest way to stay exactly where you are!
Avoid the classic pitfall of kicking the can down the road. Delaying a tough decision doesn’t make it easier; it just makes the consequences worse. Face issues head-on and look to your team for guidance. If it feels daunting, just focus on taking the first step toward a resolution.
Q: What leadership qualities have you developed while managing complex infrastructure projects?
A: I’ve learned that leading by example goes a long way. For me, that means not cutting corners, owning your mistakes, and being honest about what I don’t know. I don’t expect more from others than I’m willing to put in myself, and I try to match the level of effort I want to see in my team. I’m still figuring it out, but I’ve been lucky to have had great mentors who’ve given me real guidance and shown me that leadership can look different from person to person. I try to apply what I think works, but also pay attention to what doesn’t.
Q: How do you balance the technical and business aspects of project management?
A: I view my role as the bridge between these two sides of a project. It’s important to have a strong foundation in both technical knowledge and the commercial aspects of construction, but we hire talented trade partners for a reason. Their input is critical in guiding decisions tied to cost, schedule, and client priorities. My job is to take that technical insight and align it with project constraints to keep the bigger picture moving in the right direction.