Enterprises often lay great emphasis on the role of the Project Manager, the sole backbone of any successful project. While most Project Managers have a single-minded interest in bringing about superlative efficiency, there are several reasons why the role of the Project Manager is so important.
Project managers using project management approaches are visionaries who can envision the project from start to finish, efficiently changing roles and micro-managing the tiniest of loopholes that are missed by the other team members. A survey conducted at a leading research firm concluded that the PM’s role in any project has been ranked at the highest degree to the ratio of 80:20; 80% planning and flawless 20% execution.
The Real Reason Behind Needing Project Managers
Most of us still hoard the student mentality of working towards a deadline warranting the need for someone to breathe down on us for accomplishing a particular task. Project managers are thus the whistleblowers in completing a task in a planned manner; one that is on time along with utilizing every member’s skills in the most efficient and responsible manner.
Here are some of the actions a Project manager initiates for quick and successful completion of a project.
1. Single Point of Contact
There needs to be a single person who can be consulted for all kinds of decisions, someone who can swiftly disseminate all responsibilities and act on the deliverables at a great pace.
2. Help at Hand:
A PM is also an expert helper. He is generally well equipped with a master plan that is inclusive of the roles and responsibilities etched out for each member of the team. Without him, a member falling short on responsibility may reach out to someone more influential and get the work done; delaying some portions of the teamwork. A good PM is also a great communicator who explains each role in a way that speeds up the process of the project.
3. Decision Maker or Risk Manager:
Projects perform best when decisions taken are swift and in keeping with rules and protocols. An efficient project manager is a man in demand who can take up calculated risks and arrive at decisions in time.
4. People Manager:
Project execution can be tiresome specially if it consists of a gamut of responsibilities and includes high-value deals. Bridging the gap amongst people with timely work-related clarifications can certainly elevate the project manager into a popular people’s manager. With clarity in thought, work moves fast with little trouble in inching towards the deadline.
5. Budget Controller:
Often, project plans get delayed due to the lack of resources and manpower. A project manager is required to maintain several back-ups so that man-hour times are kept under control. Delays can be rather painful if teams are working under a shoestring budget. Therefore, an able project manager acts as an administrator and budget controller, sifting out show stoppers and obstacles in the project path.
6. Risks – Calculated and Otherwise:
Despite perfect companies and perfect teams, you would still need a project manager. Each project is always weary of risks, and an efficient project manager is a perfectionist who can mitigate those risks. Each project will need a PM who can clearly disintegrate the complexity at all its levels. Because the PM has had great exposure to completely understanding the pressures and possibilities, he is the perfect judge who manages each risk and its complexity.
7. The Lighthouse:
The project manager is the leader who can drive the entire project to its successful completion. From using templates to holding status meetings, checking time parameters, and documenting the project, a project manager’s role is often looked upon as the lighthouse for teams to pave their way to a conclusion. Although most teams are well equipped with technological changes and know their subject well, a good project manager is always in demand for driving the team to a smooth finishing point. Demonstrating trust with consistent and honest portrayals of walking the talk is almost always infectious amongst the team members.
8. Approvals:
An able PM can prove to be a time saver in helping out with timely approvals, defending change requests, and areas of immediate improvement. His experience in understanding complexities and making quick decisions can sort the unwanted show stoppers en route to a successful project.
Leadership is never short of challenges and a great project leader has to be a master of all to lead his or her project to successful completion. Being reliable in completing the tasks that he or she sets as well as thrusting the right responsibilities brings in a great deal of positivity, and great PMs do just that.
