The role of the Project Manager
The main responsibility of a project manager is to achieve the objectives of the project by ensuring that the product (or products) is made in compliance with the established times, quality and costs (or within the limits of tolerance). The professional must in fact manage the typical constraints of a project, namely costs, times, scope and quality.
The PM is responsible for managing the project from start to completion. This includes planning, delegation, monitoring and control. The PM must also focus on the management of human resources (communication and management of human resources are fundamental skills) and not. The project manager has full responsibility and authority to complete the assigned project.
Responsibilities and activities of the Project Manager
The responsibilities of the project manager may vary according to the type of business. Factors such as industry, company size, organizational maturity, and company culture can affect specific responsibilities, but there are some standard responsibilities that all project managers face.
The responsibilities common to all project managers are:
Interact with stakeholders, suppliers, customers, end users
Define and communicate project objectives to the team
Develop project plans
Check, monitor, create project documentation
Acquisition of project requirements - personnel, materials, technologies
Manage and lead the project team
Establish procedures within a project: risk management, issue management, change management, communication management
Preparation of the budget
The Skills of the Project Manager
The key competences according to the PMBok Guide can be identified in three main areas:
Project management technical skills
Leadership Skills
Strategic and Business Management Skills
Technical project management skills are the key skills for a project manager and include:
Planning
Time management
Execution
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Leadership skills can support broader strategic objectives:
Human resources management
Communication
Negotiation
Team building
Possessing Strategic and Business Management skills means knowing the business and being able to explain to the project team and stakeholders:
Strategy
Aims and purposes
Products and Services
Priority