2 - The Role Of The Project Manager

A project manager can be described as a professional that is hired to oversee and ensure the smooth running of a project, from start to finish.

Project managers differ from general managers in three distinct ways:

• A project manager handles all tasks, including conflict resolution, while a general manager deals with specific issues as they arise

• A project manager is a generalist, that glues together the different parts of a project, while a general manager oversees the management of the entire organisation

• A project management roles comes to an end when the project comes to an end, however, a general manager role continues after the project has come to an end

A project manager is responsible for the entirety of the project and all of its associated tasks. The determination of what needs to be completed and how and when it must be completed falls on the shoulders of the project manager. The project manager wears many hats and organises, plans, leads, budgets, procures employees and resources and ultimately controls the project and is responsible for it.

A project manager is responsible to all individuals and business entities working on the project, they are:

The parent organisation

The project manager is answerable to the organisation within which the project is operating. A project manager must ensure the following:

• Careful management of resources

• Shield the organisation from risk

• Communication must be timely and precise

• The project status must be reported back correctly

• Must proficiently manage the project

The client The project manager is responsible to the individual that hired him or her, and must ensure the following:

• Resolve any differences that may arise between the different teams in a project

• Ensure that goals, which regards to finance and time are met

• Do right by the project and client

The team members

The project manager is answerable to all individuals that work on the project, and must ensure the following:

• Treat all members working on the project with respect, fairness and authenticity

• Make team members aware of any future projects and therefore a possible chance of work in the future

Senior management

The project manager is answerable to senior management and must keep them updated on all aspects of the project, and must:

• Establish open lines of communication with senior management and keep them updated on the projects progress and any new developments

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There are six demands required from a project manager:

• Negotiating - A project manager must be able to discuss any issues that may arise and arrive at an agreement that is beneficial to both parties

• Obtaining resources - A project manager must be aware that resource trade-offs and subcontracting may be necessary

• Maintaining communication - a substantial amount of time is spent on communication, to everyone involved with the project

• Hiring and positively influencing employees - Employees are contracted for the length of time that it takes to complete a project, this may prove to be problematic

• Handling all aspects of risk - Experience and flexibility are required in order to deal with a crisis

• Facing and dealing with drawbacks - At the begining of a project, obstacles linked to resources occur and the project manager will have to handle such situations

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Do you have what it takes to be a Project Manager?

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There are two types of outcomes from a negotiation, they are:

• Win-Lose - Results in a situation where the project manager wins and the client loses. For example, obtaining additional funds from the client

• Win-Win - Results in a situation where both the project manager and the client wins. For example, negotiating a budget that is satisfactory for both parties

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There are 4 key criteria for selecting a project manager:

1 - Credibility - A project manager must possess the quality of being trusted and authentic. Both technical and administrative credibility is required.

2 - Sensitivity - A project manager must be aware of others feelings and must be responsive towards such feelings. For example, recognising interpersonal conflict within a team and addressing or resolving it.

3 - Leadership and management style - A project manager must be able to inspire team members to do the best that they can. Optimism and tenacity will serve a project manager well.

4 - Ability to handle stress - A project manager must develop coping mechanisms in order to deal with stressful situations.

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Here are 5 common ethical issues for the project manager:

• Bribes

• Taking short cuts

• Using inferior materials

• Infringing on standards

• Putting people and or assets at risk, by not complying with safety standards

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