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Difference between Project Associate and Project Manager
Project associates and project managers are two crucial roles in project management. A project associate reports to the seniors and guides his team. A project manager has the role of seeing the work of the project and completing it on time with the help of his team. In this article, we will see the difference between a project associate and a project manager.
What is a Project Associate?
A project associate has the responsibility of managing and executing all the tasks that are given to him by the senior management. They have to report to the project managers or senior team members. They have to make a plan for the project, arrange meetings, maintain project documentation, and do a lot more. Project associates also have to communicate with the team members, stakeholders, and external partners. They are also a part of the process of making decisions related to a project.
What is a Project Manager?
A project manager is responsible for the execution of the project from the beginning till the end. The team working on a project directly contacts with the project manager if it faces any problems. Project managers also have to create a detailed plan for the project and have to explain it to the team. He also has to define the project goals which each member of the team has to meet. Project managers communicate with their teams and stakeholders when required.
Difference between a Project Associate and a Project Manager
The table below shows the difference between project associates and project managers.
| Project Associate | Project Manager |
|---|---|
| A project associate is responsible for assisting the project manager regarding the tasks assigned to them by the seniors. | A project manager is responsible for the completion and execution of the whole project. |
| Project associates have less authority in making decisions. | Project managers have the responsibility of making decisions when required., There may be critical situations when harsh decisions can be made. |
| Besides project managers, a project associate also has to work with the senior members and follow their instructions. | Project managers are responsible for guiding the team when required. Their main aim is to meet the project goals. |
| Project associates are responsible to communicate within the team. They are also responsible to provide help in completing different tasks. | Project managers communicate with stakeholders and team members. |
| Project associates have to make the project plan as per the requirements of the senior team members. | Project managers have to make detailed project plans and they also assign the tasks to the team members and explain to them the goals and deadlines. |
| Project associates take part in the completion of the project. | Project managers have to take care of the whole project from beginning to end. He also has to set the budget and make sure that all the goals are met. |
Conclusion
Project associates have the duty of taking care of the project and helping the team members to complete the project on time. He has very less authority to make decisions. A project manager has to see the project from the beginning till the end. He is responsible for making plans, communicating with team members and stakeholders, and doing a lot of other things.
Difference between Project Associate and Project manager
The table below shows the difference between a project manager and a project associate.
| Project Associate | Project Manager |
|---|---|
| A project associate has to help in accomplishing the tasks assigned to him by the senior members of a project. | A project manager is responsible for looking after the entire project from its beginning to its completion. |
| Project associates have limited authority of making decisions. | Project managers are authorized to make decisions as and when required so that the project can be completed in time and all goals are met. |
| Project associates have to follow the instructions given by the seniors of the project. | Project managers guide the teams and also coordinate with the stakeholders. |
| Project associates have to communicate with the team members and help in the completion of the tasks. | Project managers communicate with the team members, stakeholders, and external partners and ensure that the project is smoothly progressing. |
| Project associates assist the project managers in making plans for a project | Project managers finalize the project plan, set goals, and assign the modules to each team member. |
Conclusion
Project associates and project managers are the critical roles which help in project planning and completion. Project associates deal with the project manager and other seniors of the team. A project manager is responsible for managing the whole project from start to completion.
FAQs on Project Associate Vs. Project Manager
1. Who assigns tasks to a project associate?
Senior management and project managers assign tasks to the project associates. Project managers deal with project associates to know the status of the project.
2. To whom do project associates report?
Project associates report to senior members or project managers.
3. What are the responsibilities of a project associate?
The project associates are responsible for arranging meetings, maintaining project documentation, and doing a lot more tasks.
4. Who is responsible for creating a project plan?
A project manager has the sole authority of making a detailed project plan regarding the project. This plan includes project goals, assignments, team members, etc.
5. How does a project manager deal with a project?
A project manager has to make a detailed plan regarding the project. He also has to set goals and maintain a budget.
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