E01.05 The role of the PM

Learning Goals Describe the traditional role of the PM Describe the emerging role of the PM Name the project manager´s responsibilities on a project

Who is a Project Manager

A PM is the person assigned by the performing organization to achive the project objectives

The PM´s role is distinct from a functional or operations manager

PMs Responsibility & Skills

Coordinates technically specialized professionals in order to achive a common goal

Should have a keen ability to identify and resolve sensitive organizational and interpersonal issues

Ensures that all the participants are working togetherKnows the capability of each participantEnvisions how all the individual roles must fit togetherA PM is a leader, encouraging every team member to do best

possible jobPM can be considered a general manager, someone who gets to

know more of the total operations of the company than many of the other executives

Skills Required and Characteristics to have

Skills required Understand the script Know the individual roles Know the capabilities & weaknesses of each team member Know when to start and stop a project and monitor every possible milestone Be constantly aware of all the details

Characteristics to have Knowledge

- What the PM knows about project management Performance

- What the PM is able to accomplish Personal

- How the PM acts when performing the project

Tasks and Responsibilities of a Project Manager

Tasks Plans, manages and allocates resources Shapes priorities Coordinate stakeholder interactions Keeps the project team focused Manage & respond to stakeholder needs

Responsibilities Coordinate and integrate activities across multiple, functional lines Performs activities necessary to:

- Develop a Project Plan- Execute the Project Plan- Make changes to the Project Plan

Project Manager Authority

PM often lacks a lot of responsibility

PM often lacks ”real” authority

PM is forced to negotiate with upper-level & functional management for control of company resources

Project Manager Manages Relationships

Manage the Relationships Within the project team Between the project team and senior management Between the project team and the functional organization Between the project team and and the customer´s organization Between internal and external stakeholders

Traditional Role of the PM

Manages a specific project and is expected to meet the approved project objectives, project scope, budget and schedule

Leads the project and provides vision, direction and encouragement Ensures that the project is realistic, necessary and well defined Carry out the Plan

When- Once the project plan is approved by the top management

How- Monitoring & reporting on progress- Resolving problems as they arise- Controlling changes in the project plan- Manage the risks

Whom Does the PM Report to?

A PM may report to a functional manager, depending on the organizational structure

A PM responsible for enterprise-wide projects reports to a portfolio or program manager

Whom Does the PM Report to?

A PM may report to a functional manager, depending on the organizational structure

A PM responsible for enterprise-wide projects reports to a portfolio or program manager

Whom Does the PM Report to?

A PM may report to a functional manager, depending on the organizational structure

A PM responsible for enterprise-wide projects reports to a portfolio or program manager

Support Staff

In large projects to help with numerous responsibilities, PM might have a full staff of: Schedulers Project Coordinators Risk Managers and others

In small projects, PM might not have any support staff

ChangingRole of PM

Traditional Role Manage client-vendor relationship Uses waterfall method

Emerging Role Achive workable results & customer

satisfaction Uses iterative method Additional Skills

- Creativity- Motivation- Leadership- Subject-matter expertise

Essential because a PM has to help define and deliver a solution in terms of requirements, cost & schedule

ChangingRole of PM

Emerging Role Less Focus on:

- Managing peoples´s obligations in terms of complience with processes & procedures

More Focus On:- Harnessing people´s creativity and then motivating &

convincing them to move in a particular direction

Key to Project Success

Be proactiveFollow the planDelegate to the teamRaise issues & risksShare information with stakeholdersCommit to an attitude of attitudeExpect the same from the team

Today´s PM

Places the highest value on the knowledge and experience of all team members

Is a facilitator who encourages participation to create a shared vision