How many projects should I Project Manager handle?
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
How many projects should I Project Manager handle?
Things to have in mind...
If you're handling multiple projects, are they of the same kind? same customer, same resources, same stakeholders? same sponsor? what problems can you face if these are all different when managing several projects? Is there a rule of thumb, as of when to say, please I can't handle more...?
Do not take this question lightly, everyone knows the "it depends" factor, there is no definitive right or wrong, but your perception is important to drive this very interesting topic. Saving Changes...
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
Do not take this question lightly, everyone knows the "it depends" factor, there is no definitive right or wrong, but your perception is important to drive this very interesting topic. Saving Changes...
George LewisProgram/Project Manager| DXC Technology CompanyHeredia, Costa Rica
Things to have in mind...
If you're handling multiple projects, are they of the same kind? same customer, same resources, same stakeholders? same sponsor? what problems can you face if these are all different when managing several projects? Is there a rule of thumb, as of when to say, please I can't handle more...? Saving Changes...
I would say that from 1 to 7, according to size and complexity. Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
There are many variables. It all really depends. : ) What type of projects?
Perception is simply based off one's experiences. With some assumption ... let's say 3-5. Of course that means nothing in the big picture, its simply just my reality.
In all seriousness though, how many resources are available? The amount of concurrent projects are finite dependent on the capacity, correct? Saving Changes...
How many projects should a project manager handle?
One at a time.
And businesses should limit projects to those that support strategic objectives. Many should also reduce the number of projects in progress at any given time.
Instead, many businesses try to accomplish more than they have capacity to complete, creating unnecessary bottlenecks. They rush headfirst into failure because they have too much going on to effectively prioritize and coordinate their work.
I'm not saying project managers can't handle more than one project at a time. However, once we start multitasking, we reach a point of diminishing returns. This point is different for each of us.
This is where "it depends" comes into play. I'm sure we could come up with a sizeable list of variables (work and personal) that affect how many projects any one of us can effectively handle, at any given time. In the end, regardless of how many projects you are handling, if you can't give them the attention they need, one at a time, one or more of them will suffer and be at risk. Saving Changes...
Edward DanielsProject Manager| IndependentGlen Burnie, Md, United States
Managing 1 project at a time would be ideal but that is a pipe dream for most PMS. Reality is that we are inundated with multiple projects that are all high profile according to each project sponsor.
To address "If you're handling multiple projects, are they of the same kind? same customer, same resources, same stakeholders? same sponsor?" I don't think it matters if the projects are similar, same reources, stakeholders or sponsor. As long as an organization employs standardized methodology of managing projects that is repeatable, projects have a higher chance of succeeding. Now if they have a functioning PMO, PMs can even handle more projects successfully.
what problems can you face if these are all different when managing several projects? Problems can range from time management issues, resource availability, scheduling nightmares to missed deadlines. Keeping track of activities will be a major challenge if you have dissimilar projects. Decomposing activities to ensure you accurately capture what is needed to complete the project is another challenge i foresee. There may not be an opportunity for lessons learned to be useful on other projects if they are not similar.
Is there a rule of thumb, as of when to say, please I can't handle more...? PMs by nature are very creative and from personal i think handling more than 5 projects regardless of their durations at a time should be the cap.
I say this with a caveat, all the projects should not have the same start dates, end dates, priority level or profile. SWOT analysis is something most PMs usually don't embrace in my experience. Having a functioning PMO to back up PMs helps us to see threats that our projects face and to seek opportunities we can exploits to overcome weaknesses we encounter.
Our strengths as PMs come from understanding that we are not required to carry all the burden, rather we are responsible to making sure all the i's are dotted and t's crossed on our assigned projects. Saving Changes...
Nasrullah MohammedPortfolio Manager| Advanced Electronics CompanyRiyadh, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
As many as possible, as long as cost, time and quality are maintained for each project. :-)
Ultimately the program manger and/or stakeholders are going to start complaining if one/two/all of these factors become unfairly compromised.
A good project manager should shout out early if the boat looks like sinking.
I started my management career as an IT project manager and used to struggle with capacity issues. The number of projects I had to handle simultaneously kept growing while I felt that I can only handle a maximum of four. When push came to shove, I used a simple formula to prove to my boss that there is literary no way I could manage more than four projects and still do the best job possible.
At one point I was even up to 12. It felt very uncomfortable. After having a few run-ins with my boss about this issue, I decided to research the best practice on how many projects a project manager can successfully manage simultaneously in an IT industry. I didn't find an exact answer, but the articles I read inspired me to make my own calculations and share them with those who might be looking for the same answers.
Here it is:
Working hours daily: 8
Project management rate*: 20%
Project hours a PM can handle: 8*100/20=40
Number of projects a PM could theoretically handle: 40/8=5
Time lost due to project switching**: 20% or ~1 hour 30 minutes
Realistic number of projects a PM can handle: 4
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1 reply by Jess De Ocampo
Apr 25, 2017 3:09 AM
Jess De Ocampo
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Handling too many projects and switching back and forth at the same time puts you in a greater risk of incompetence. How many projects to handle? Around 1-3 depending on complexity.
Let me add some further clarification to my original response.
I used to work at a company where we were expected to consistently handle at least six projects at a time. The number of projects that any one of us CAN handle, at any given time, will vary by individual and circumstance. Regardless of how many projects a PM is leading, the PM needs to be able to dedicate enough time to each project in order to minimize losing time to multi-tasking. The more you switch between projects, the more your potential to lose time increases.
With this in mind, you can have 10 or more projects in your queue, but you can only handle one at a time, and you need to make sure you give each one enough time to lead it effectively. Saving Changes...
Jess De OcampoLean Six Sigma Professional/Project Manager/Consultant/| .Manila, Ncr, Philippines
Apr 23, 2017 1:32 AM
Replying to Nasrullah Mohammed
...
As many as possible, as long as cost, time and quality are maintained for each project. :-)
Ultimately the program manger and/or stakeholders are going to start complaining if one/two/all of these factors become unfairly compromised.
A good project manager should shout out early if the boat looks like sinking.
I started my management career as an IT project manager and used to struggle with capacity issues. The number of projects I had to handle simultaneously kept growing while I felt that I can only handle a maximum of four. When push came to shove, I used a simple formula to prove to my boss that there is literary no way I could manage more than four projects and still do the best job possible.
At one point I was even up to 12. It felt very uncomfortable. After having a few run-ins with my boss about this issue, I decided to research the best practice on how many projects a project manager can successfully manage simultaneously in an IT industry. I didn't find an exact answer, but the articles I read inspired me to make my own calculations and share them with those who might be looking for the same answers.
Here it is:
Working hours daily: 8
Project management rate*: 20%
Project hours a PM can handle: 8*100/20=40
Number of projects a PM could theoretically handle: 40/8=5
Time lost due to project switching**: 20% or ~1 hour 30 minutes
Realistic number of projects a PM can handle: 4
Handling too many projects and switching back and forth at the same time puts you in a greater risk of incompetence. How many projects to handle? Around 1-3 depending on complexity. Saving Changes...
Wade HarshmanScrum Master| GDITIndianapolis, In, United States
I see a lot of "it depends on the complexity of the project," but I would add that "it depends" on the expectations of the project manager, too. I can "monitor" many projects that are in progress and report their status. I can "manage" a few. Saving Changes...
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