Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Informally, A human being who manages different projects and aspects of their own life.
Formally, and in reference to Wikipedia:
“ A project manager is a professional in the field of project management. Project managers have the responsibility of the planning, procurement and execution of a project, in any undertaking that has a defined scope, defined start and a defined finish; regardless of industry.” Saving Changes...
Someone who is skilled at making the whole greater than the sum of the individual parts by applying knowledge, judgment, behavior and tools to lead a group of professionals in implementing change.
Hi Christina,
I like the definitions by Rami and Kiron. This is my definition. I first define project management then the project manager. This is my adaptation from many literature sources over the last few years.
Project Management (PM) - ‘the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements’ (PMI definition)
Project Managers (PMs) - the person assigned by an organisation that used the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques of PM to deliver something of value to stakeholders.
Essentially, the project manager plans, organises and controls activities using knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to deliver value to stakeholders.
Regards,
Cian.
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1 reply by Miguel Figueroa
Jul 26, 2022 1:34 PM
Miguel Figueroa
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I think also involves, safety and high satisfaction on the compliance with the environment rules, as well the increment in the people skills and their empowerment and happiness
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Christina,
the PMBoK Guide says a project manager is ".. the person assigned by the performing organisation to lead the team that is responsible for achieving the project objectives."
In hierarchical organisations, the project manager itself is responsible, not the team.
The "assignment" is mostly formalised by the project charter and this is performed by the project sponsor as representative of the organisation.
Thomas Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
There is no easy answer to this question. There are formal definitions as presented by others before me but it can also be very subjective as the title means different things to different cultures and organizations. In some cases Project Managers are administrators with little real authority, in others the PM has ultimate project authority and significant influence on corporate decisions. Even the definition of 'project' and 'management' can be subjective.
In defining to others I would rely on the Wikipedia definition provided by Rami (or other similar versions) but I would also explain that it depends on the application of the title within any given organization.
The problem comes when your understanding of the title does not correspond with your bosses. Saving Changes...
Mohamed MahmoodConsultant| McDonald's CorpFontana, Ca, United States
A Project Manager, in addition to what has been shared by some of these awesome folks above, is someone who can keep the team(s) motivated by bringing them coffee and donuts (tools and resources) and removing hurdles that keep them from doing their best work. Saving Changes...
Stephen RobinProject Analyst Trainee| Ministry of Works and TransportArima, Ari, Trinidad and Tobago
For the sake of diversity, I would also add definitions that may be useful
According to ProjectManager.com
A project manager is more than just a manager, in the traditional sense. This individual is the leader of the project team and oversees every aspect of the project, from beginning to end. The project manager will typically write the project plan, run team meetings, assign tasks, and do quality control tests to ensure everything is running smoothly.
According to Coursera
A project manager is a professional who organizes, plans, and executes projects while working within restraints like budgets and schedules. Project managers are in charge of leading teams, defining goals, communicating with stakeholders, and seeing a project through to its closure.
Or you can also take a creative approach and send a short video on the subject matter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdRXwxzIVQw&t=102s This video is just one of the many that exist. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
I tell people that I get things done. Saving Changes...
Valerie WelbournChief Operating Officer| Ed Holmes & AssociatesHendersonville, Nc, United States
For a more colloquial definition, I describe it as being a conductor of many talented and varied entities with the aim of accomplishing our goal. Saving Changes...
I would say to someone who is not very familiar with those definitions that a PM is a kind of bandmaster that organizes ideas and make energies converge to transform thoughts to reality, as much as the constaints allows it. Or as Stéphane said "gets things done" Saving Changes...
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