What are common type of project management authority?

Answer 1

Power is an important concept within the team environment. Although the project manager is in charge, he might not have legitimate power over all team members. Other team members must also rely on some power in order to accomplish their tasks.

The different types of Power available for the Project Manager are:

1. Legitimate - Power based on position/title

2. Referent - Power transferred from someone with legitimate power

3. Expert - Power based on knowledge

4. Reward - Power based on the ability to give rewards

5. Coercive - Power based on force or intimidation (Punishment)

Referent power is important for project managers. Often their authority does not equal their responsibilities on the project. This is especially true in a matrix environment when they don't have direct authority over team members. A project manager should be able to integrate and apply a specific power as situations demand