Project Manager

Term Definition

The project manager is the person who leads a project team and is assigned the authority and responsibility for conducting the project, meeting the project objectives through project management. The project manager is also responsible to the client for the project work. Project managers typically report to a Project Sponsor. Project managers can be found in every industry. There are even specialized project managers such as construction project managers, or architectural project managers.

The project manager does not participate in the activities of the project but manages the overall project. The project manager must possess a combination of skills including an ability to ask penetrating questions, detect unstated assumptions, lead diverse work teams, facilitate and resolve interpersonal conflicts as well as more systematic management skills. Project managers are tasked with controlling every aspect of a project to ensure that the objectives are met, which include on time and on budget completion.

The project manager is responsible for developing the project plan. The project plans contain all of the planning documents that are part of the entire process. Components of the project plan include baselines, baseline management plans, risk management, quality, procurement, resourcing and communications.

One of the key duties of a project manager is risk management. Project managers recognize that risk is inherent in every project. They must identify the risks with the likelihood of impacting the success of the project throughout the project lifecycle. Project managers are responsible for making decisions that will benefit the project and control or minimize risk.

Project managers use project management software to develop the project plan, organize tasks and resources and manage the project. Tasks that would take countless hours manually can take minutes utilizing software. Project managers must be able to produce status reports effortlessly in order to communicate to other project stakeholders.

Area of Application 
Project Management

Related Terms
Project Plan