The Essential Functions of a Project Manager
A project manager (PM) is a facilitator. The ideal project manager does whatever it takes to ensure that the members of the project team can do their work. This means working with management to ensure they provide the resources and support required as well as dealing with team issues that are negatively impacting a team 's productivity. The project manager must possess a combination of skills including the ability to ask penetrating questions, identify unstated assumptions, and resolve personnel conflicts along with more systematic management skills. This person is responsible for initiating, planning, executing, controlling and closing a project.
The actions of a project manager should be
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In a matrix management situation, like a project team, the PM’s job is to provide project direction to them. Managing labor subcontracts usually means managing the team lead for the subcontracted workers, who in turn manages the workers.
The equipment a PM has to manage as part of the project depends on the nature of the project. A project to construct a frozen food warehouse would need earth moving equipment, cranes, and cement trucks. For a project to release a new version of a computer game, the equipment would include computers, test equipment, and duplication and packaging machinery. The project management key for equipment is much like for people resources. They have to make sure workers have the right equipment in the right place at the right time and that it has the supplies it needs to operate properly.
Most projects involve the purchase of material. For a frozen food warehouse, this would be freezers, the building HVAC machinery and the material handling equipment. For a project to release a music CD by a hot new artist, it would include the CD blanks, artwork for the jewel case, and press releases to be sent to deejays. The project management issue with supplies is to make sure the right supplies arrive at the right time.
All the skill in managing resources won 't help, however, unless the PM can stick to the project schedule. Time management is critical in
At this point the scope of the project has been defined in detail and the project team are ready to be appointed. Although a Project Manager can be appointed at any stage of the project, s/he will need to be appointed prior to the establishment of the project team. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of project performance including: planning, budget execution, project execution, and close-out Funding.
This is to ensure that the necessary raw materials and physical resources are available at each stage, and that the workforce on site has the right skills for the scheduled work. The project management team will need to produce a series of planning documents that can be accessed throughout the project. Each member of the project management team must know their role and responsibilities, including which sections of the workforce they will be directly managing.
Project management (PM) system processes are essential for successful performance within an organization. ?Successful performance leads to customer delight, although insured, is totally possible through proper application and quantifiable control of project management processes?, (Akkiraju, n.d., p. 2). Project management involves components that PM mangers follow when preparing to enter into a venture. The PM use planning, hazard management, execution management, change
The job of project manager, as performed by Ron Barnes of CanDo Construction Ltd., is fundamental in making things happen, as he is responsible for winning and completing projects. To do this successfully, he must gather an accurate assessment of the competition through direct contact, past experience, or second-hand reports. He must also organize available material and human resources, and determine the timeframe necessary to complete all processes of a project.
A project manager must be a skillful planner and can inspire his or her team to produce as needed. Per LaBrosse (2007), project management can be used throughout the organization to boost personal and collaborative productivity by building a standardized system that embeds best practices into the way projects are managed” (p.26).
The project manager will focus all the attention of managing the scope, budget and schedule of the project such that the risks are minimized and the outputs are maximized. The reports at every stage are essential for analysis of the project phase. Regular reviews and testing for each module will determine the re-evaluation of project such that the processes are controlled and monitored at every phase. Plus the soft skills help a PM to follow up and follow through each task while understanding the requirements from the business stakeholders. A thorough market research would give an analysis on the qualitative and quantitative research evaluation which will ensure any concerns that can be captured
Project management is defined by BusinessDictionary.com as, “Approach to management of work within the constraints of time, cost, and performance requirements.” Project management requires careful planning and studying all of the factors involved with in the project. Project Managers must first establish the needs of the stakeholders and provide a project plan which includes the cost and time frame the project will be completed. In addition, projects requirements should be clear and concise to ensure the Project Manager stays within
The Project Manager will communicate relevant information directly to each member of the team and the Project Manager will disseminate all team-wide communications. The Project Manager will also be responsible for any direct communication with the Project Sponsor and/or the Customer. Weekly meeting minutes will also be the responsibility of the Project
The majority of project management positions require a bachelor’s degree in a business management related field, as well as a professional certification and management experience. Many project manager professionals elect to obtain a master’s degree or advanced postgraduate certification in project management, analytics, or business management. The Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is the most recognized certificate for project managers. According to the Project Management Institute, “As a PMP, you can work in virtually any industry, with any methodology and in any location, and earn on average 20% more than without a PMP.” (pmi.org) Education is highly valued in project management; however, important skills such as, good communication and the ability to execute are developed with experience.
(Project definition: Planned set of interrelated tasks to be executed over a fixed period and within certain cost and other limitations)
In today's business it is in the best interest of companies to have project managers. Common sense isn't always easily accomplished. Anyone who's ever worked on a project in a technical setting knows this. Indeed, much of working with others consists of solving unexpected problems and learning from mistakes along the way. Knowing this and having the proper tools a project manager will be able to manage and complete the most intense project out there.
Project Human Resource Management – identification of project team and assigning roles and responsibilities to each task.
Managing a project is no easy task. A project is a series of tasks or jobs that are related to each other and directed toward a common goal or output. Projects usually require a significant time commitment, and tend to be handled by groups of workers. The employees at Craft Construction, a small business that deals with complete remodeling and some small commercial buildings, generally divide into groups of two or three workers per project. The number of employees assigned to a job usually depends on the size of the project. For each project, a project manager and a lead carpenter are assigned to handle most of the work. Project scheduling is different for every job. Smaller jobs require less planning because there is
r. Project managers are typically the link to the customer and must manage the tension between customer expectations and what is feasible and reasonable. They provide direction, coordination, and integration to the project team, which is often made up of par-time participants loyal to their functional departments. Often times, project managers must work with many different types of people, such as vendors, suppliers and subcontractors.
Project management is a series of steps taken in sequence to manage a project through all phases from conception to completion. The steps are documented in a strategic plan. The plan is used to ensure that all parties are working towards a common goal. Project management requires applying knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to specific activities in accordance with established standards and guidelines. There are five basic functions of project management: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. Basic activities of project management include: identifying project requirements to define the outcomes; addressing various needs, concerns and expectations of others; setting up, maintaining and carrying out communications; managing others; creating project deliverables; and balancing competing project constraints.