Similarities between project leader and project manager Saving Changes...
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Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I'm sure many of my colleagues will have specific sets of duties for each one of those roles. Personally, I think it's just semantics and the responsibilities are similar if not the same. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
While management and leadership are different sets of capabilities, project manager and project leader are mostly used interchangeably. Probably because a project manager needs leadership skills.
PMBoK only talks about the project manager and most organizations certify project managers not project leaders. PMBoK and PMI's talent triangle also talk about leadership (or social skills, soft skills, and recently power skills).
Beware of other terms for similar roles around like project coordinator, team lead, agile coach, project executive, project assistant etc.. At best ask if there is a role description. Saving Changes...
I agree with Stephane and Kiron about the similarities.
However I understood that Project leader is coming from the leadership and obviously leadership is MORE and MORE than management. ( for example Inspiring those who work around them to create their vision).
Table3-1 Team management and team leadership compared.
(PMBOK 6th Ed 3.4.5 page 103).
My understanding there are two questions ( Unique about Project leader and then he asked about similarities). Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
The only time to be concerned about the terminology is when a project has both a Project Manager and Project Leader (different positions/people). In that case make sure the roles and responsibilities are clearly defined not only for the individuals but also for the team and stakeholders.
I was involved in a project with both designations. I was on contract and the company had a policy that you had to be a permanent employee to be named Project Manager. As a result a senior company staffer was officially named Project Manager and I was Project Leader. However, my function was that of Project Manager and defined accordingly. Saving Changes...
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