Although we'd like to spend most of our time on strategic activities such as managing stakeholder expectations, or team building, the reality is that most project managers are required to spend some time on "paperwork".
I'm running a one week poll to get an idea as to how much effort such rote administrative work actually takes:
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Done. We tend to do PM and BA works combined so there is quite a decent amount of administrative work involved as consultants. Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
I have responded at 51 - 75%. However that depends on how one defines "administrative" work. How much of a meeting, report reviewing, team counselling, fielding phone calls, reading and responding to emails, etc., etc., is administrative?
If I am charging a client for my time applied to a project its all project work as they don't want to pay my rate for administrative work.
If I attend a progress meeting, even chair it, and everything is perfect - its administrative. If the meeting identifies major issues which requires my engagement - its project work.
If the project is going to plan, its mostly administrative. When the project struggles, project management kicks in.
Anyway, you see where I'm going - it depends on the definition and can be quite subjective.
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1 reply by Kewei Gao
Jun 26, 2022 12:36 PM
Kewei Gao
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回答的非常好！向你学习！
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
If you get over 25% you should consider hiring a project admin or use a project office.
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1 reply by Marcia McLaughlin
Jun 26, 2022 7:41 PM
Marcia McLaughlin
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I fully agree.
Saving Changes...
Kewei GaoShanghai Juling Information Technology limited companyChina, Mainland
Jun 24, 2022 1:44 PM
Replying to Luis Branco
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Dear Kiron
I just answered your question
If the percentage of time spent were broken down into smaller units, you might get different results.
向你学习，谢谢！ Saving Changes...
Kewei GaoShanghai Juling Information Technology limited companyChina, Mainland
Jun 25, 2022 8:09 PM
Replying to Peter Rapin
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I have responded at 51 - 75%. However that depends on how one defines "administrative" work. How much of a meeting, report reviewing, team counselling, fielding phone calls, reading and responding to emails, etc., etc., is administrative?
If I am charging a client for my time applied to a project its all project work as they don't want to pay my rate for administrative work.
If I attend a progress meeting, even chair it, and everything is perfect - its administrative. If the meeting identifies major issues which requires my engagement - its project work.
If the project is going to plan, its mostly administrative. When the project struggles, project management kicks in.
Anyway, you see where I'm going - it depends on the definition and can be quite subjective.
If you get over 25% you should consider hiring a project admin or use a project office.
I fully agree. Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
As a general rule, my projects take less than 25%. Larger projects may require a team of project managers. That often leads to some of the project managers having the lion's share of the administration. Saving Changes...
Interesting poll. For us in our office in Germany (we're in the floral business), the percentage is much higher (33%) than here in the States (about 20%). Saving Changes...
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