We consistently emphasize to our clients the significance of having a designated point of contact on their end, typically a Project Manager, for effective project coordination.
Recently, a client raised a valid question: "Why do you need a single POC, and why can't you work directly with our staff who will be using the system daily?" Initially, I struggled to articulate a concise explanation, but upon reflection, I realized it's not about avoiding collaboration with end-users. Rather, it's about creating a cohesive system that advances a team or organization collectively, with the Project Manager playing a crucial role in orchestrating this synergy.
Considering this perspective, I've compiled a list of qualities I believe are essential in a Project Manager or Coordinator. Keep in mind that these are subjective, and you may have additional criteria based on your project's size and organization.
Before delving into the attributes, let's explore the responsibilities of a project lead, manager, or coordinator:
- Coordinates all internal project activities, attending all relevant meetings and eliminating knowledge bottlenecks.
- Acts as the main liaison with our team, providing a clear point of contact for inquiries.
- Reports project progress to Executive Sponsor/Management, obtaining approvals for changes to budgets or timelines.
- Gains user-level knowledge to support end users during the project's maintenance phase.
- Depending on motivation and role, may serve as an administrator, handling lower-level customization requests.
Now, let's outline key attributes to identify such an individual in your team:
- Access to management and the ability to build consensus within the team.
- Articulates the organization's mission and possesses high-level knowledge of work areas.
- Understands the overall vision of the proposed system to align development with organizational goals.
- Demonstrates organizational skills, discipline, attention to detail, and action-oriented behavior.
- Maintains a positive attitude to inspire confidence in the project.
- Enjoys learning new processes, technologies, and embraces change.
- Dedicates sufficient time to the project to ensure success without overloading other responsibilities.
A proficient project manager can be a game-changer, mitigating risks by involving users early and often, streamlining communication with technology partners, and optimizing project delivery. In smaller organizations, they can even transition into a system administrator role, reducing ongoing maintenance costs. Contrary to misconceptions, expertise in the technology being implemented is not mandatory; the focus should be on people and processes.
This list may not cover all aspects, so feel free to add your insights!