Getting the Right Project Manager
Question 7: Have you appointed an experienced Project Manager?
Good Practice: An experienced Project Manager should lead the project on a day-to-day basis. For large projects, this should be a dedicated and full-time role. Full-time and dedicated resource will ensure that a continuous focus is maintained on moving the project forward. In theory all business projects should be led by the business. In practice, many business functions do not have the required project management skills, experience or disciplined approach. A good working compromise is to appoint two people to work together in a partnership, a Project Manager and a User Representative. The comprehensive nature of these two roles should not be underestimated.
In her article The Top Five Project Management Traits to Master 'the How' 
Joli Mosier lists the top five traits you need to master the how of project management as:
- A collaborative management style.
- Adaptability.
- Figure-it-out resourcefulness.
- Highly developed communication skills.
- Flexibility.
Common Mistakes
- No project manager appointed.
- User and/or project manager appointed with no prior experience.
- Mistaking enthusiasm or seniority for experience.
- User project manager appointed to lead a large project in addition to his/her existing responsibilities.
- More than one project manager appointed.
- The project manager not being fully responsible and accountable for the project.
