In today’s fast-paced environment, the role of a project manager has become more important than ever. And when it comes to managing building and refurbishment projects on behalf of a client, the job becomes even more complex.
A client-side project manager is a vital link between a client and the project stakeholders, responsible for overseeing and executing projects that meet the clients needs. But what exactly does a client-side project manager do, and what skills are necessary to excel in this role? In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the world of client-side project management, exploring the key responsibilities and competencies needed to succeed in this challenging and rewarding profession.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF A CLIENT-SIDE PROJECT MANAGER
As a client-side project manager, your role is to oversee the successful completion of a project from start to finish. To do this, you will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:
- Defining Project Scope:
Before any project can begin, it’s important to have a clear understanding of what you hope to achieve. As the project manager, you will work with your team and stakeholders to define the project scope. This will involve identifying what deliverables are required, what resources will be needed, and what success looks like including definition of the project goals and objectives.
- Coordinating with a variety of project stakeholders:
In most cases, a project will require the involvement of multiple parties. As the project manager, it will be your responsibility to coordinate with these vendors, contractors, and internal team members to ensure that everyone is working together effectively. This may involve scheduling meetings, assigning tasks, monitoring progress and keeping stakeholders accountable.
- Managing project timelines and budgets:
Projects must be completed within a certain timeframe and budget. As the project manager, it will be your responsibility to ensure that the project stays on track and within budget. This will involve creating and maintaining a project plan, monitoring progress against milestones, and adjusting the plan as needed.
- Ensuring Quality Control and Adherence to Project Specifications:
As the project progresses, it’s important to ensure that the work being done meets the necessary quality standards and adheres to the project brief and specifications. As the project manager, you will be responsible for monitoring the work being done and ensuring that any issues are addressed promptly and adequately to ensure that the project remains on the right path.
- Communicating with Stakeholders and Providing Progress Updates:
Finally, as the project manager, you will be responsible for communicating with stakeholders and providing regular progress updates. This may involve creating and distributing status reports, chairing meetings with stakeholders, and providing regular updates via email or other approved communication channels. It’s important to keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project to ensure their continued support and involvement whilst being able to keep their business informed of progress.
SKILLS REQUIRED FOR A CLIENT-SIDE PROJECT MANAGER
- Strong Organisational and Project Management Skills:
As the project manager, you will be responsible for coordinating multiple tasks and timelines, ensuring that the project stays on track, and delivering it within budget and to the brief. To do this, you will need strong organisational and project management skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks, create schedules, coordinate project stakeholders and allocate resources effectively.
- Excellent Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
A key part of your role as a project manager will be to communicate with stakeholders, vendors, and team members. This will require excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen effectively, present ideas clearly, and build relationships with stakeholders.
- Technical Knowledge and Expertise:
You will need to have prior knowledge and experience in the sector in which you are working. This will allow you to understand the challenges and opportunities of the project, anticipate and mitigate risks and provide guidance to your team and stakeholders.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking Abilities:
As the project progresses, you may encounter unforeseen challenges or obstacles. As the project manager, you will need to have strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities to identify issues and develop solutions that keep the project on track, within budget and to the brief.
- Adaptability and Flexibility:
Finally, as a project manager, you will need to be adaptable and flexible in your approach. Projects can be unpredictable, and you will need to be able to adjust your plans and strategies quickly in response to changing circumstances. You will also need to be able to manage competing demands and changing priorities effectively.
BENEFITS OF HIRING A CLIENT-SIDE PROJECT MANAGER
1) Ensuring Project Success and Meeting Goals
A project manager can help ensure the success of a project by defining clear goals and objectives, developing a detailed project plan, and monitoring progress against the plan. This can help ensure that the project stays on track and meets its goals.
2) Saving Time and Money by Avoiding Project Delays and Mistakes
A project manager can help identify potential issues early in the project lifecycle and take steps to either avoid or mitigate delays and mistakes. This can help save time and money by preventing costly rework or project delays.
3) Improved Communication and Collaboration Among Project Team Members
A project manager can act as a central point of communication for all project team members, ensuring that everyone is working together effectively. This can help improve collaboration, reduce misunderstandings, and keep everyone on the same page.
4) Increased Accountability and Risk Management
A project manager can help ensure that all team members are accountable for their work and are aware of their roles and responsibilities. This can help reduce the risk of project failure and improve overall project efficiency and performance.
5) Improved Quality Control and Adherence to Project Specifications
A project manager can help ensure that all the work being done meets the necessary quality standards and adheres to the project specifications. This can help ensure that the project delivers the expected outcomes and meets the needs of stakeholders.
6) Immediate Access to Decades of Experience and Knowledge
Engaging a specialist project manager means that clients don’t need to be an expert in this space. Each project team is assembled to suit the size and complexity of the project and are backed up by tertiary education and industry standards. This then allows clients to focus their attention on other tasks, which is normally their daily business needs, in the comfort that their project is in a safe set of hands.
HOW CAN A PROJECT MANAGER HELP YOU?
At Empire Project Management, we understand the challenges of managing complex projects, and we know the importance of delivering successful outcomes for our clients. That’s why we offer client-side project management services that are tailored to meet the unique needs of your project. Our experienced project managers possess the skills and expertise needed to ensure your project’s success, from defining project scope to managing timelines, budgets, and quality control.
With our help, you can save time and money, improve collaboration and communication among project team members, and ensure that your project meets all of its objectives. Contact us today to learn more about how our client-side project manager services can benefit your organisation.
