Getting the Right Project Manager

Question 7: Have you appointed an experienced project manager?

21 Ways to Excel at Project Management

Good Practice: An experienced project manager should lead the project. For large projects, this should be a dedicated and full-time role. Full-time and dedicated resource will make sure that a continuous focus is kept 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:

1. A collaborative management style.
2. Adaptability.
3. Figure-it-out resourcefulness.
4. Highly developed communication skills.
5. Flexibility.

In his popular article Top 10 Qualities of a Project Manager, Timothy R. Barry identifies the qualities most important for a project manager:

1. Inspires a shared vision.
2. Good communicator.
3. Integrity.
4. Enthusiasm.
5. Empathy.
6. Competence.
7. Ability to delegate tasks.
8. Cool under pressure.
9. Team building skills.
10. Problem solving skills.

Common Mistakes

• No project manager appointed.
• Project manager appointed with no prior experience.
• Mistaking enthusiasm or seniority for experience.
• User project manager appointed to lead a large project, as well as his or her existing responsibilities.
• More than one project manager appointed.
• The project manager is not fully responsible and accountable for the project.