Q&A: When to hire a project manager
When should I hire a project manager?
This is a question many organizations grapple with, especially when budgets are tight. The simple answer is when you lack the time, energy, or skillset to manage the project effectively on your own.
Most mission-driven organizations hire a project manager when they anticipate that planning and monitoring the project will be a burden on existing staff. Perhaps your team is already stretched thin, or the project requires specialized expertise that no one currently possesses. Essentially, you recognize there isn't enough bandwidth within the organization to successfully deliver the project on time without adding dedicated project management capacity.
Project managers can wear many hats, acting as a:
Proactive Planner: They can build upon your project's purpose and goals to create an effective, actionable project plan.
Communication Champion: They can ensure smooth communication across your project team, stakeholders, and leadership, fostering transparency.
Problem Solver: They identify risks, proactively troubleshoot, and address challenges before they derail the project.
Project managers ensure that the right people are in the right places at the right times and ready to do the right work. They manage resources effectively, track progress, and hold team members accountable.
A project manager can also bring an outside perspective to challenging collaborations. They can act as a neutral facilitator, helping to navigate complex interpersonal and organizational dynamics and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
A project manager brings a unique set of skills and a focused perspective that can increase the likelihood of project success.
Need more support leading successful projects?
Learn about our Project Services, schedule an introductory call with Jami Yazdani, or add a 1-hr Project Coaching Session to our calendar!
