What is the role of project manager in project management?

Answer 1

I would classify projects into three categories:

Administered projects - Those where all the administrative steps were followed, all the paper work done and checked off, problems were reacted to in a timely way, people are encouraged to stay on task and on schedule, the client's issues were resolved -- but no value was added, people were not developed, client relationships were not built, and no follow-on work was identified and sold.

Managed projects - Beyond administration, good communication existed, problems were anticipated as well as reacted to, people's development was addressed, the value identified in the business case was considered in all design decisions, and the client felt they got what they paid for. As a result, we may get additional work on similar projects in the future.

Led projects - Leading goes beyond managing. A leader has a vision and communicates it to the project team and to the client. Visions have power to excite people and provide a common basis for all design decisions. In a led project, value beyond the initial business case is identified in the course of the project and either baked into the effort or noted and set aside as a follow-up project. People are encouraged to think about potential value as they go about their assigned tasks and to identify new issues and ideas at any point in time. Led projects almost always pay for themselves and lead to more work.