What is the role of a Project Manager?

I'll be honest with you :-) Over the years, I've noticed that the perception of project managers is multidisciplinary and broad-ranging. The expectation of the role has become too heavy, restrictive, and the processes (including tools) are everything too much :-)

Today, project managers are tasked to get comfortable managing expectations of sponsors ('executives') and digging into the details of complex problem(s) with their teams. Simultaneously, they also need to handle resource constraints, prepare high-level summary reports while chasing up other administrative matters to keep their projects value-driven and on track.

In spite of the contrasting expectations, a few things are for certain from my experiences working with great project leaders in over 19 countries:

1. They want to know how to better collaborate and affect more change(s) in their industries. Therefore, they have clear focus on business results for project and enterprise stakeholders, but always start with the customers first!
2. They are actually strategic advisors ('big-picture'), catalyst for leading people through change and delivering business-impacting solutions.
3. When projects aren't properly defined, it leaves their team(s) feeling like they're shooting at moving targets which mostly translates to a demotivated working culture ('low moral'). In this regard, three (3) key contributors to a healthy project environment are: Clear Business Goals, Consistent Sponsor Support and Adaptable Project Management Expertise.

#projectmanagement #projectleadership #projectmanager #leadership #solutionsmadesimple IAPM International Association of Project Managers Linda Ottmann