The Project Manager leads the team in the project planning process, defining the work to be done, assigning tasks and responsibilities, controlling progress, reporting results, manage change, communicate with sponsors and stakeholders and managing cost, schedule and performance constraints. The project manager’s role is versatile and challenging; he manages people who do not report to him. Project Management is a profession, which one can learn or develop.

From an organizational view the Project Manager is the playmaker of the project and the executor of project processes of a company. Cadence effectively supports project managers by training courses in Project Management methodology, and other courses like Risk Management, Earned Value Management, Scheduling- and Scope Management, Program Management or Portfolio Management, or coaching and consulting.

Role

Communicator – The project manager is the primary source for project information and must be proactive in this role. The project manager must identify all affected parties, seek all information required, and ensure all involved are kept informed.

Organizer – The project manager establishes the organizational structure for the project. However, in many cases, the project manager will not have the authority to dedicate resources to the project. Resources are often acquired through negotiation with functional managers and the sponsor.

Planner – Planning takes place throughout the entire project and at all levels. It is the role of the project manager to ensure an integrated plan is created, is sufficient for the purpose and receives proper authorization. As the project planner, the project manager is also expected to identify linkages to the big picture, showing the fit of the project to the overall company goals, business direction and vision defined by senior executives.

Catalyst – The project manager ensures the project plan is executed according to the authorized cost, schedule, and performance, and according to company policies (such as project management policies). The project manager must seek sponsor authorization to any changes in the plan. The project manager needs to show a proactive, opportunistic, quick-response-to-problems profile.

Responsibilities

  • Identify task responsibilities with team members
  • Communicate with functional managers
  • Communicate with committees
  • Communicate to sponsors, clients, and stakeholders
  • Establish the organizational structure
  • Take the lead in establishing the steering committee structure
  • Take the lead in assembling the project team
  • Secure representation from affected departments
  • Lead the team in developing the project plan
  • Forecast project cost, schedule, and performance
  • Ensure a smooth turn over to ongoing operations
  • Prepare project documentation (project notebook)
  • Issue status reports
  • Hold team progress meetings
  • Resolve conflicts related to cost, schedule, and performance
  • Meet departmental standards for project management
    (as opposed to technical standards inside participating departments)
  • Ensure performance on all tasks