SOFTWARE ENGINEERING-II
SE-406
OUTLINE
Project Manager
Project Manager’s Role
Project Definition
Project Managers and Motivation
Project Manager Skill Set
Advantages of Project Managers
Project Manager
• The project manager’s role varies according to industry and
individual business.
• Project management involve balancing a project’s timeframe,
budget and overall scope as the team works to meet its
objectives.
• Project managers oversee the individual tasks that move a
project toward completion, so its ultimate success or failure
depends in large part on the project manager’s competency.
Project Manager
• In companies where projects are frequently late, over
budget or fail to meet their objectives, hiring a skilled
project manager can improve productivity and morale
and often leads to greater profitability.
WHO IS TO BLAME WHEN A PROJECT FAILS?
• Project manager is the person that must deliver the
project and manage and be responsible for all issues and
obstacles that stand in the way of successful project
delivery.
• So, at the end of the day, there is only one person to
blame for a failed project, the project manager.
Project Manager’s Role
Develop a project plan
Manage deliverables according to the plan
Recruit project staff
Lead and manage the project team
Determine the methodology used on the project
Establish a project schedule and determine each phase
Assign tasks to project team members
Provide regular updates to upper management
Project Manager’s Role
• Project manager working with a wide variety of people,
from C-level executives to hourly support staff.
The "C" stands for "chief." Some best-known C-level executives
include the chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer
(COO) and chief information officer (CIO).
Project Manager’s Role
• A project manager must define what a project will
achieve and then ensure it meets those goals.
• The first step is to estimate the time, human and
capital resources and steps needed.
• Then, the project manager forms the teams to carry
out the tasks and leads them toward completion.
Project Manager’s Role
• Project managers provide much-needed direction to ensure
that at every phase of the project, each contributor knows
what’s expected.
• Project managers communicate with upper management
and outside vendors and clients as needed.
• In fact, proactive communication is one of a project
manager’s most important functions.
PROJECT DEFINITION
• Defining the concept, goals, approach and reason for a
given project is crucial to its success.
• Before launch, the project manager communicates these
definitions to stakeholders and obtains their agreement
and support.
• All resources, risks and benefits are identified and
communication plans are outlined.
PROJECT DEFINITION
• The project plan, budget and schedule are based on
available resources, deliverables and company or client
priorities.
• Project managers typically use professional software
packages in the complex planning and monitoring
stages.
PROJECT DEFINITION
• Project managers monitor the project at each stage,
analyzing progress and communicating to upper
management and others involved, including sub-
contractors in external organizations.
• As goals change or unexpected risks arise, the plan is
amended to reflect scheduling, budget and other
modifications.
PROJECT MANAGERS AND MOTIVATION
• Good project managers provide the motivation team members need to
help bring a project to successful completion.
• Among the advantages of having a project manager:
Poor project management can create stress among project
contributors and lead to higher turnover.
Most people are happier working on productive teams with good
communication and clearly-defined goals.
Good project managers use established processes to proactively deal
with the surprises and challenges that come with any complex project.
PROJECT MANAGERS AND MOTIVATION
• When team members see a competent leader handling each crisis, it can be
inspiring and motivating.
• Workers who know that clear direction and communication will be part of their
job every day more likely to perform at their best.
Leadership: An Important Project Manager Attribute
• Because teams need strong leaders, the most successful project managers are
also significant, inspiring leaders.
• When these essential skills are lacking, morale and productivity can drop, along
with sales and profits.
PROJECT MANAGER SKILL SET
Strong project managers are proficient in these areas:
• Analysis
• Management Skills
• Organization
• Coordination/Strategy
• Technical ability/skills
• Communication
ADVANTAGES OF PROJECT MANAGERS
• An excellent project manager’s leadership can result in:
Higher morale
Greater sense of ownership and professionalism among team
members
Increased productivity and profitability
