By Lenka Davis

Five main benefits of having a project manager

Project managers bring benefits to projects that helps everyone work better. Check out our list below.

Aligns Team to Goals

The Project Management Institute interviewed comedian Trevor Noah during the pandemic about the importance of project management. Yes, you read that correctly, a super talented comedian talking about a very business related topic. When asked what key lesson he learned when organizing projects, Trevor Noah explains that you need to understand what your goal is. The leadership team needs to clearly communicate the organization's goals and the team needs to know what those goals are. Aligning teams with the goals of the project is one of the five most important benefits project managers do for their teams.

Keeps Team Focused

A team that is focused can accomplish more and won’t burn out as fast. A project manager (PM) keeps in mind marketing initiatives and broader company objectives. By understanding the company's vision and mission, the PM can make sure that the project is heading in the right direction by prioritizing what needs to be done.

Creates Optimal Working Format for the Team

The PM decides early in the project what is the most optimal way that the team will work together. They may choose agile methodologies for dynamic and rapidly evolving projects, while more structured approaches may be suitable for long-term types of projects. The ability to adapt to what the team needs ensures that the project runs smoothly.

Without a PM the individual team members will have to take on the tasks and communications, and that takes away time and focus from what they need to do and what they prefer to work on.

Ensures the Team Trusts Each Other

You can’t only rely on the software applications, tools and processes to help the project run smoothly, there is also full trust the team has on each other. Having trust in the team members, understanding what their strengths and weaknesses are, and having confidence in their communications is what makes the project successful in the long run.

Continuous Communication

PMs are there to keep the communications flowing, whether that is through written notes, updates to project management apps or project calls, and meetings with parts of the team. They make sure that processes and statuses are tracked early and often so when team members go on vacation or move to new roles, the project can continue to move forward.

They communicate up to leadership to make sure they know what is happening at a general level, they ensure that communications happen between team members. They also enable communication with the whole team so everyone stays up to speed and can help each other when needed.

Overall teams with project managers tend to be more proactive and not so reactive. They can respond to last minute changes or requests. They can also be shielded by the project manager from unnecessary or emergency situations because the PM focuses on the goals. Teams with PMs often have time to set up templates and to optimize processes that are documented.

FunFact

Some projects take a while, so project managers pad timelines and schedules. But even that did not work for the construction of the Sydney Opera House. The goal for project managers is to build the project, launch the product or complete the campaign. The Sydney Opera House is world famous, yet it did not have the smoothest or fastest path to get completed. Initially it was thought that it could not be built, 10 or so years late, and 1,357 percent over budget, it was completed and became an iconic building. 

References

PMI: For Demonstrating Architecture's Power to Refine a City (Most Influential Projects: #50)

Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman