Traditionally, a project manager (PM) is onboarded at an organization to facilitate a specific project or oversee a new or established program. A project is typically understood as a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result. A program, on the other hand, is a group of related projects managed in a coordinated manner to obtain benefits not available were they to be managed individually. But what happens if your team’s endeavors do not fit neatly into one of these two boxes? Is a PM still a valuable asset? In this article, we highlight the essential skills a seasoned PM can bring to non-conventional teams, elevating your organization to the next level.
Adding a PM to your team has a magnitude of benefits. Traditional PM roles include setting and managing client expectations, developing detailed project plans, defining project scope, understanding and managing project risks, overseeing change management, and assigning team members to specific tasks. Additionally, key performance indicators (KPIs) around schedule and budget are often included to measure the success of the project as it develops. Below are just a few of the ways a PM can support non-traditional projects, including teams at the executive level.
1. Facilitating cross-functional communication
In some instances, cross-functional teams are established to aid in company-wide decision-making while avoiding siloed input. Often, these teams consist of senior leaders from each line of business. While these leaders may not directly manage projects or programs, their input is critical for successful management. A seasoned PM can utilize skills honed throughout their career to bring rigor and oversight to these teams, permitting technical experts to make sound decisions knowing they have all relevant material available to them.
2. Turning chaos into clarity
We’ve all fallen victim to an overflowing workload. Too often, the first thing to go when staff are at capacity is basic organization. What was once an organized SharePoint site or Teams site quickly turns into a graveyard of ‘archived’ files. One of the many tools in a PM’s toolbelt is their laser-like focus on and attention to systematic organization. PMs inherently understand the importance of organization and implementing a system that empowers all team members to make well-informed decisions. A well-established file archive should be a functional resource providing a clear library of past information, current initiatives, and future tasks. Organization is crucial in making today’s business decisions, and even more vital when it comes to the long-term success of a team.
3. Being proactive versus reactive
Putting out the metaphorical project fire that popped up this morning will undoubtedly take priority in the near-term, but how can future fires be avoided in the long-term? As the foundation of a well-organized team is laid, a well-versed PM will work with relevant stakeholders to map out upcoming interactions and highlight potential risks. This preparation allows the team to provide higher quality feedback, while permitting them the time needed to conduct relevant research. Moreover, executive-level teams often see related topics pop up across the portfolio, not just on a single project. By having an established library of documented responses and research, team members can minimize duplicated efforts by quickly reviewing past interactions and tailoring new responses as needed.
4. Showcasing early value
The successful longevity of an organization can be difficult to predict. The corners we cut today may not have consequences until years down the road. Likewise, the upfront work a veteran PM brings to an executive-level team may not bear the immediate, tangible fruit that comes with a traditional operations-level team. The question then becomes, how does one justify onboarding a PM to an executive-level team? The answer is two-fold: short-term wins and long-term solutions. Short-term wins such as showcasing the benefits of an organized SharePoint or Teams Site are pivotal in securing continued funding for your new project manager. However, the true benefits come from long-term solutions such as stakeholder and interaction mapping. These solutions establish lasting value, as shown through the portfolio-wide success within the organization.
In conclusion, PMs can bring value to every level of team within your organization. Although need and value can be more easily shown in operational-level teams, exceptional PMs can greatly improve the effectiveness of executive-level teams. Can your cutting edge, first-to-market products afford the inevitable delays of a disorganized, unprepared team?