I didn’t plan to become a Project Manager.
In fact, when I first stepped into the world of IT, I was simply curious. Curious about how things worked behind the scenes, how teams built software, and how client dreams turns into reality. That curiosity slowly attracted me to coordination, communication, and the new term or world, I’d say, leadership, and before I knew it, I was managing projects.
Today, I proudly call myself a Project Manager in Nepal. And no, it wasn’t just a job switch. It became a way of life.
The Early Days
Back in the early 2010s, I was just another guy learning how to navigate client calls, timelines, and technical blockers. I had no clue about Gantt charts or burndown reports. But I knew one thing: I liked being at the centre of it all. Connecting dots. Helping people talk*. Solving small things that created big outcomes.
*Helping people talk: This reminds me of my early days in meetings, where the moderator once handed me a toffee at the end and she said, “I encourage you to talk more in future meetings, please” Excellently and politely delivered. That toffee was an icebreaker, a sweet excuse to come near me and give feedback without making it awkward.
I still remember that meeting clearly. We were discussing the fundamentals of our Project Lifecycle, setting a base process that could stay consistent across all projects, with room to tweak steps as needed. I only said one thing the entire time: “Work Breakdown Structure.”
The issue wasn’t that I had nothing to say. The issue was hesitation, nervousness, fear, and not knowing when to speak. But that toffee moment helped me a lot. I slowly fought my fear.
And now? Now I fight in meetings. 😂
Where was I? Oh yes…
That phase taught me that project management isn’t about control, it’s about clarity. And being a Project Manager in Nepal meant handling global expectations while working with local values, constraints, and incredible talent.
Why I Stayed
Let’s be real: project management is not glamorous. No one sees the late-night bug calls or the emotional labour it takes to keep a team motivated during scope creep.
But I stayed because I fell in love with the process.
The post-mortem meetings, the Friday demos, the uncomfortable but honest retrospectives, they became rituals. And slowly, they shaped who I am.
Every project brought new lessons. Some taught me patience. Some taught me humility. Many taught me how to listen. And through it all, I realised that being a Project Manager in Nepal isn’t about tools or templates. It’s about trust.
People Make the Role
I’ve been lucky to work with incredible teams, developers, testers, designers, and clients from all corners. They’ve challenged me, supported me, and called me out when needed. And thanks to them, I’ve never had a boring day at work.
In this role, I’ve learned how to joke in stand-ups and be serious in planning. How to protect a team from chaos, and sometimes step into it myself. It’s a dance. And I love it.
To Those Starting Out
If you’re curious about becoming a Project Manager in Nepal, know this: you don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to care.
Care enough to ask questions. Care enough to listen. Care enough to show up when it’s hard.
Curiosity got me here. Care keeps me going.
Meet Me Beyond the Title
Want to know the human behind the job title? Here’s a glimpse: https://kshyattriya.com/meet-rustam
