Are You a Project Manager?

John D’Entremont, PMP, is a program manager with over 15 years experience in training, managing training teams and designing materials to enhance the skills of managers and executives.

  Career Development   New Practitioners   ProjectsAtWork  

To determine your level of influence on your project teams, and whether your organization is making the most of your potential, you need a solid understanding of how your role is defined. This will ultimately impact the way that you communicate with your team, as well as your ability to efficiently and effectively complete your projects.

Does your organization employ Project Managers in title only? The answer to this question does not necessarily reflect badly on the enterprise, but understanding how project management is defined within your company will aid you in determining the best approach to your projects — and how you interact with your project teams. Conversely, if your organization is in the process of determining the best way to handle its project management needs, there are some basic elements that should be considered. By examining the processes that your organization employs, and how those processes are reinforced, you can position yourself to be an agent of positive change.

For the purpose of this discussion, let’s use three terms that are widely accepted when discussing levels of project management: Project Expediter, Project Coordinator, and Project Manager. These terms reflect the level of influence that the position holds within the project team, as well as the larger organization.

Project Expediter

This term is used primarily to …

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