04/01/2024
What do project managers do?
In short, project managers are responsible for the planning, executing, monitoring, controlling, and completion of projects, so they must have a complete understanding of the subject matter. However, that is just the tip of the project management basics iceberg.
Here are a few of the main responsibilities:
Build the plan: Project managers are in charge of plotting out the most realistic course for the project. The plan must include the project scope, timeline, and budget. This can also include identifying the right tools for the job.
Assemble the team: Identifying the proper team is critical. Every project team will vary depending on the scope of the initiative and the functions needed to complete the project. Finding specialists and subject matter experts for each of the necessary tasks is ideal.
Assign tasks: Project managers must provide their team with a clear definition of specific tasks and timelines for every part of the project. Although each team member will be responsible for their own assignments, many tasks will require collaboration from both internal and external team members.
Lead the team: Now that the team has been assembled and their tasks have been assigned, the project manager must keep the machine well-oiled, covering the basics and beyond. This will include checking in on individuals for status updates, identifying and clearing roadblocks, negotiating disagreements, keeping team morale high, and providing training and mentoring.
Manage the budget: Most projects will require some expenses, which means understanding how to put together a project budget and manage cost is critical for success. This will involve comparing real-life expenditures to estimates, and adjusting the project plan if necessary.
Manage timelines: As with the budget, project managers are tasked with keeping everything on schedule so the team is meeting their projected deadlines for completion. This will require setting realistic deadlines throughout the life cycle of the project, communicating consistently with the team for status updates, and maintaining a detailed schedule
Engage stakeholders: Stakeholders play a large role in your project. They are typically influential people who are affected by the project. Project managers need to maintain a good relationship and an open line of communication with stakeholders who can not only help clear roadblocks and empower your team but also create unnecessary bottlenecks and derail a project if they become unhappy with the direction.
Hand over the project: Just because the project’s objectives have been delivered doesn’t mean a project manager’s job is over. The project manager must now deliver the project to the team who will be managing, maintaining, and operating it moving forward. At this point, the project manager will no longer be the go-to person and will be assigned to a new project.
Document the process: Identifying and documenting “lessons learned” is not only a good practice for personal growth, but also for relaying that experience to other teams around the organization for future use. This will help others avoid making the same mistakes, or taking advantage of the shortcuts discovered.
