Benefits of Dedicated Project Managers
Tagged with: Outsourcing & Staffing, Strategy & Consulting, Technical Tips & FAQs
Some companies have dedicated project managers, and some don’t. Before you decide which development company you want to partner with, it is wise to understand what a dedicated project manager is, the cost, and its benefit. When you know these aspects of project management, you will ask questions that will help you determine which company is right for your project.
What is a Dedicated Project Manager?
While some companies have project managers, other companies have dedicated project managers. Although most project managers have the same goals in mind, a project manager can switch projects weekly, but a dedicated project manager is with your project from beginning to end. Before working with a development company, learn what to expect from your project manager and how long to expect them to be with your project.
The role of a project manager is essential to successfully executing a project. A project manager learns and understands the project’s detailed scope and requirements from the very beginning before any programming is done. Projects begin with a discovery phase, or sometimes a discovery project, to gather the requirements. This stage is typically quite involved and is critical to the project’s success. The project manager then works with a developer and the client to create a statement of work based on those requirements. From that point forward, the project manager is the face of the project for the client and the developer. The project manager knows the project inside and out.
The project manager also ensures that the project timeline is on track, and if the timeline changes, the project manager works with the client to ensure that needs are still met. Speaking for the development team and the client, the project manager communicates with everyone involved through emails, phone calls, and meetings. They have daily status updates with the developers to ensure they are making good progress, checking to see if they are stuck or have any issues.
The developers have ideas in mind, and the client has ideas in mind; the project manager must make sure these ideas work together to meet the client’s needs.
A project manager should have a complete understanding of the project and what it should do, just as well as the client. They know the client’s specific needs and how to achieve them best. The project manager writes out the plan and makes sure the project progresses. This individual is dedicated to and responsible for managing the project’s scope. Things change as a project progresses, and you need someone to work it so the project doesn’t get off track.
Ensuring the client’s needs are addressed is the project manager’s most important task.
What is the Benefit of Having a Project Manager?
At Unidev, we have a diverse team of experienced developers who aren’t tied to one platform or coding language. After fully understanding our client’s goals, the project manager is tasked with determining the best solutions and resources for each project and works with the client and developers to ensure those goals are met.
Why do some companies have project managers and others do not?
There are several reasons why certain companies don’t have project managers. Some software and web development companies are too small to employ project managers, while others use developers in the dual role of project manager and lead developer. The project’s size can also determine whether a project manager is needed to coordinate the requirements and resources.
Are developers good project managers?
Is the developer someone who communicates well? Are they organized? Do they have the availability and resources needed to focus on managing your project and its development? Especially for larger projects, you want your developers to develop and work on your project continuously. That’s why an intermediary focusing on the communication, budget, and timeline is helpful. Some developers can speak about technical subjects to someone who doesn’t understand the topics. Still, it often helps to have a project manager who can help translate technical issues to facilitate project communication.
These are a few reasons having a dedicated project manager is beneficial. They ensure all the requirements are being met, act as a middleman between the client and the developers, and ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget.
The project manager is the first line of defense to ensure your project is successful. At Unidev, we assign a Customer Delivery Director to every project; typically, this role is filled by a dedicated project manager. We know that communication is key to a successful project, and the project manager helps ensure clear communication throughout the project phases.
Find out more about our project management by contacting us to see how we can help your project.
