The project manager is the individual responsible for delivering the project. The individual leads and manages the project team, with authority and responsibility from the project board, to run the project on a day-to-day basis. In the NI public sector, PRojects IN Controlled Environments2 (PRINCE2(external link opens in a new window / tab)) is the standard project management method and is applicable to all project types.
As well as the formal responsibilities set out in methods such as PRINCE2, the project manager has an important role in interfacing between the project and the business area. This is important for communicating and encouraging the need for transformation and change within the business area in tandem with the delivery of new capabilities from the project. The readiness of the business to exploit the new capability is crucial to success. Without this state of readiness in the business, there are likely to be disruptions and delays in the plan for benefits realisation.
Specific responsibilities of the project manager
The project manager, operating within agreed reporting structures, is responsible for:
designing and applying appropriate project management standards for incorporation in the NI Gateway Review Process
managing the production of the required deliverable
planning and monitoring the project
adopting any delegation and use of project assurance roles within agreed reporting structures
preparing and maintaining project, stage and exception plans as required
managing project risks, including the development of contingency plans
liaison with programme management (if the project is part of a programme) and related projects to ensure that work is neither overlooked nor duplicated
monitoring overall progress and use of resources, initiating corrective action where necessary
applying change control and configuration management processes
reporting through agreed lines on project progress through highlight reports and end-stage assessments
liaison with appointed project assurance representatives to assure the overall direction and integrity of the project
maintaining an awareness of potential inter-dependencies with other projects and their impact
adopting and applying appropriate technical and quality strategies and standards
identifying and obtaining support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the project
managing project administration
conducting a project evaluation review to assess how well the project was managed
preparing any follow-on action recommendations
In construction projects the project manager also provides the interface between the project sponsor and the supply side of the project team.