Page 8 - DMGT302_FUNDAMENTALS_OF_PROJECT_MANAGEMENT

Unit 1: Introduction to Projects

1.2 Project Manager and his Responsibilities Notes

Definition

According to Project Management Institute (PMI), “Project Management is the application of knowledge,
skills, tools and techniques to project activities in order to meet or exceed stakeholder needs and expectations”.
Project management is quite often the province and responsibility of an individual project
manager. This individual seldom participates directly in the activities that produce the end
result, but rather strives to maintain the progress and productive mutual interaction of various
parties in such a way that overall risk of failure is reduced.
A project manager is often a client representative and has to determine and implement the exact
needs of the client based on knowledge of the firm he/she is representing. The ability to adapt
to the various internal procedures of the contracting party, and to form close links with the
nominated representatives, is essential in ensuring that the key issues of cost, time, quality and
above all client satisfaction, can be realized. Any type of product or service – buildings, vehicles,
electronics, computer software, financial services, etc. – may have its implementation overseen
by a project manager and its operations by a product manager.
The project manager needs to be an HRD expert who can motivate the workforce by training and
promoting leadership among them, and boost their morale by incentives and promotions. He
has to be conversant with the principles of organisation, and be a good judge of people who has
the ability to place the right man in the right job at the right time.
Social issues: A project can only be successful when there is no conflict between the management
and the local populace. Right from the acquisition of the project land to recruitment to organisation
to infrastructural facilities, the management has to interact with the social fabric of the locale. It
can only ensure a smooth functioning at the project site if there is a ‘co-operational’, and not a
‘confrontational’ environment. The management can display its cordiality to the locals by, for
instance, recruiting ‘the sons of the soil’ in the workforce, which will not only be conducive to
reciprocal cordiality of the populace, but might actually make good business sense in employing
labour that is familiar with the locale and the conditions prevalent at the project site.

Functions of Project Manager

1. Developing a unique product or process and manage change.
2. Identification of the need for project.
3. Finding different alternatives of the project.
4. Developing a plan of action.

5. Training operators.
6. Establishment of quality assurance cell to control quality.
7. Incorporation of changes as and when needed while implementing project.
8. Selection of suitable equipment.

9. Finding suitable financial resources.
10. Assessment of alternatives and obtaining approval to proceed.
11. Measuring performance of the project.
12. Transfer of material, funds and settling all accounts after completion of project.

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