Project manager roles and responsibilities

Project managers, by virtue of their position, have the ability to directly impact the projects they oversee. As such, the overall quality of the construction work, in part, is correlated to the manager's ability to direct others. By facilitating a mutual exchange of both information and responsibilities, project managers provide reassurance that work is completed in an effective manner. To best prepare for their roles and responsibilities project should undertake three primary tasks. First, project managers should consult with client to properly evaluate the overall contract terms, and requirements. Second, the project manager is to provide each member of their respective teams, key metrics of performance evaluation to meet contract requirements. Finally, project managers should create communication networks with the applicable clients to ensure that contract requirements are being met. By utilizing these three methods of preparation, project managers can ensure that their client's requirements are being met in an adequate and effective manner.

To avoid contract disputes, client expectations must be adequately established. Through a discussion on client expectations, project managers can better ascertain the likelihood of success during the implementation phases. If client expectations are overly optimistic, the project manager is better able to provide the proper guidance regarding the projects outlook. With a candid discussion regarding expectations with the client, project managers can also avoid unwarranted surprises that often occur during the implementation phase of the contract. A preliminary discussion also provides the project manager to showcase his overall aptitude and ability to complete the project in a timely fashion. This ultimately reinforces the clients trust in the project manager while simultaneously abating the influence of high expectations. Through the established relationship of trust between the client and the project manager, project implementation will be conducted more efficiently.

Secondly, while discussions between the project manager and client are important, all stakeholders must be aware of the project expectations. Employees that work under the project manager are critical in this regard. Without their support and collaboration, the overall project could meet untimely delays in completion. Therefore, by properly communicating the overall expectation of the project to employees, and subsequently holding them accountable, project implementation is exacerbated. Further, employees are also cognizant of how their work contributes to the greater whole. A large compliant during many employee satisfaction surveys, generally, is the overall lack of communication by the leaders of the organization. As such, to quell any concerns regarding employment expectations, the project manager must effectively communicate project roles, responsibilities and requirements.

Finally, appropriate feedback mechanisms must be in place to ensure adequate completion of the project. These feedback mechanisms much exist between all stakeholder groups involved. These stakeholders include, but are not limited to, employees, stockholders, clients, government officials, the general public, and the construction company itself. By having unrestricted feedback mechanisms and channels of communication, project managers can avoid unwarranted surprises. The construction process is often long and arduous. Therefore, proper communication is needed to prevent costly setbacks. New regulations, requirements and expectations may enter into the fray. The project manager must possess the ability to quickly react without delaying the project for the client.