Project Management Roles And Responsibilities

Did you know that 59% percent of project managers run between two and five projects simultaneously at any given time? That’s a lot of responsibility!

Project management is a highly demanding field, but it’s also extremely rewarding. In order to be successful as a project manager, you must be able to wear many hats and juggle different responsibilities simultaneously.

For this reason, it’s crucial to define the roles and responsibilities of every person on the project management team. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and knows what they need to do in order to achieve project success.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different roles and responsibilities of a project manager. We’ll also provide tips for how to effectively manage each role. Let’s get started!

Project management 101: what is it?

If you run a company that delivers products or services, then you’re likely familiar with the term “project management.” Essentially, project management is the process of planning, organizing, and managing resources to achieve a specific goal. It’s a vital component of any business, as it helps ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.

The following elements are all part of the project management process:

• Project planning
• Resource allocation
• Communication and coordination
• Risk management
• Quality assurance

Project management roles and their responsibilities

Project management is a complex process, and there are many roles and responsibilities involved. In order to be successful, it’s important for the project manager to understand what each role entails. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common project management roles.

Project manager

As the name suggests, the project manager is responsible for managing the entire project. This includes planning, organizing, and coordinating the team’s efforts to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget. The project manager must also be able to manage risk and resolve conflicts as they arise.

Tips for managing the project manager role:

• Be organized. The project manager is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the project are planned and executed efficiently. This requires a lot of organization and attention to detail.
• Stay calm under pressure. As the saying goes, “the buck stops with the project manager.” This means that the project manager is ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the project. Therefore, it’s important to stay calm under pressure and not let stress get the best of you.
• Be a good communicator. The project manager must be able to effectively communicate with all members of the team, as well as stakeholders and clients. This includes communicating project updates, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

Sponsor

For any project to be successful, it’s important to have a sponsor. The sponsor is the person or organization who provides funding and resources for the project. They also provide guidance and oversight to ensure that the project stays on track. Additionally, if there are any organizational barriers or obstacles that need to be overcome, the sponsor is responsible for helping to remove them.

Tips for managing the sponsor role:

• Stay in contact. The sponsor should be kept up-to-date on the project’s progress at all times. This includes providing regular updates on budget, schedule, and team performance.
• Be responsive. If the sponsor has any questions or concerns, it’s important to be responsive and address them as quickly as possible.
• Seek guidance when needed. As the project manager, you may not always have all the answers. When this is the case, it’s important to seek guidance from the sponsor.

Steering committee

Project teams are like a ship, and the steering committee is the captain. The steering committee provides guidance and oversight to the project team, and is responsible for ensuring that the project remains on track. They also make decisions about key project issues, such as budget, schedule, and scope.

Tips for managing the steering committee role:

• Keep them informed. The steering committee should be kept up-to-date on the project’s progress, just like the sponsor. This includes providing regular updates on budget, schedule, and team performance.
• Be responsive. If the steering committee has any questions or concerns, it’s important to be responsive and address them as quickly as possible.
• Seek guidance when needed. As the project manager, you may not always have all the answers. When this is the case, it’s important to seek guidance from the steering committee.

Team leader

It’s important to note that the team leader is not the same as the project manager. The team leader is responsible for leading and managing the team, while the project manager is responsible for managing the project.

Tips for managing the team leader role:

• Assign tasks wisely. The team leader should ensure that tasks are assigned in a way that maximizes efficiency and productivity.
• Motivate the team. The team leader should be responsible for motivating the team and ensuring that they are working together as a cohesive unit.
• Resolve conflicts. If there are any conflicts within the team, it’s up to the team leader to resolve them.

Team members

Of course, then there are the team members. Team members are responsible for carrying out the tasks assigned to them by the project manager. They must also be able to work together as a team and be responsive to changes in the project plan.

Tips for managing the team member role:

• Follow instructions. It’s important to follow the instructions of the project manager, and to ask questions if there is any confusion.
• Be flexible. The project plan may change as the project progresses. Team members must be willing to adapt to these changes and be responsive to new tasks and assignments.
• Communicate effectively. Team members must be able to communicate effectively with each other and with the project manager.

Making the most of your team

As the project manager, it’s your responsibility to ensure that the team is working together effectively and efficiently. Here are a few tips for making the most of your team:

• Assign tasks wisely. Tasks should be assigned in a way that maximizes efficiency and productivity. This means that team members should not be overburdened with too many tasks, and that they should be able to work together effectively.
• Motivate the team. The team leader should be responsible for motivating the team and ensuring that they are working together as a cohesive unit. This can include setting goals, providing feedback, and offering recognition for a job well done.
• Resolve conflicts. If there are any conflicts within the team, it’s up to the team leader to resolve them. This includes mediating disputes and ensuring that everyone is pulling their weight.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your team is working together harmoniously and that they are all contributing to the success of the project.

What if my team is only two or three people?

In a small team, the roles and responsibilities of project management may be more fluid than in a larger team. For example, the project manager may also serve as the team leader, and team members may have multiple roles within the team. But how do you divvy up the work in a small team?

Start by assessing the skills and strengths of each team member, and then assign tasks accordingly. If one team member is good at organizing and another is good at writing reports, then you may want to assign them those specific tasks.

It’s also important to be flexible and willing to adapt as the project progresses. If one team member is not able to complete a task, then assign it to someone else on the team.

In a small team, communication is key. Everyone must be able to communicate effectively with each other and with the project manager in order to ensure that the project is completed on time and within budget.

Tips for team communication and collaboration

Your projects might be backed by the most efficient and talented team on earth, but without collaboration and communication, all those resources will be squandered. A successful project manager knows this and does everything possible to promote good communication within the team.

Here are a few tips for promoting better team communication and collaboration:

• Schedule regular meetings. Regular team meetings are an essential way to keep everyone in the loop and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
• Use communication tools. Tools like Slack or Trello can help team members communicate effectively with each other, as well as with the project manager.
• Be responsive. If someone has a question, they should be able to get a response within a timely manner. This means responding to emails, messages, and comments as soon as possible.
• Maintain transparency. The project manager should strive to maintain transparency within the team. This includes sharing updates on budget, schedule, and team performance.

Communication should always be prioritized within the team, and you can do this by following the tips listed above.

Project Management Roles: Final thoughts

Project management is one of the most demanding but also most rewarding fields out there. In order to be successful, it’s important for the project manager to understand the different roles and responsibilities of each team member. By doing so, you can ensure that everyone is on the same page and working together towards a common goal.

When knitting your project management team together, remember that everyone is suited to different tasks and has different strengths. Utilize these strengths to build a cohesive team that can work together harmoniously to achieve project success.

And, as always, remember to communicate, communicate, communicate!