Chapter 10: The Project Manager

It is the responsibility of the project manager to make sure that that the customer is satisfied that the work of the scope is completed in a quality manner, within the budget, and on time. The project manager has primary responsibility for providing leadership in planning, organizing and controlling in the work effort to accomplish the project objective. In terms of planning, the project manager has to clearly define the project objective and reach agreement with the customer on this objective. In terms of organizing the project manager must secure the appropriate resources to perform the work. In terms of controlling, the project a manager needs to monitor actual progress, compare it with planned progress and take immediate corrective action if actual progress falls behind planned progress.

The project manager is a key ingredient in the success of a project and needs to possess a set of skills that will help the project team succeed. The project manager should be an effective leader who inspires the people assigned to the project to work as a team to implement the plan and achieve the project objective successfully; be committed to the training and development of the people working on the project; be effective communicator who interacts regularly with the customer, project organization’s upper management and other stakeholders; and have good interpersonal skills. It is important that the project manager develops a relationship with each person on the project team and effectively use interpersonal skills to try to influence the thinking and actions of others.

Effective project managers can handle stress and have a good sense of humor. In addition they are good problem solvers who recognize that the best solution often emerges from differences of ideas, viewpoints, experiences and opinions. Negotiating skills are also essential for project managers. Good project manager also manage their time well.

Project managers’ competence can be developed through experience, learning from others, interviewing effective project managers conducting a self-evaluation and learning from one’s own mistake, getting a mentor, participating in education and training programs, joining organizations in which these skills can be applied.