Last edited 30 Jun 2021

Project manager

A project manager (sometimes referred to as a promoter's manager or project director) is a specialist advisor that represents the client and is responsible for the day-to-day management of a project.

They seldom participate directly in activities that produce the end result but rather strive to maintain the progress and mutual interaction of the project team in such a way that reduces the risk of failure, maximises benefits and controls cost.

If a project manager is appointed, they function most effectively when they operate as if they were part of the client organisation. They are not part of the consultant team. They should be able to issue instructions and review progress as if they were the client. During the briefing process however the project manager should allow the consultant team direct access to the client and user panels without interference.

Experienced clients may have their own in-house project managers.

The project manager should be appointed as early as possible in the development of the project in order to:

Help the client develop their preliminary business case and initial strategic brief.
Advise on the selection and appointment of the consultant team (and perhaps to manage the appointment process).
Help the client to organise themselves and identify the roles and responsibilities of client representatives, champions and user panels.
Issue information and instructions on behalf of the client.
Develop a project execution plan, including selection of procurement route and contracts.
Contribute to risk management exercises.
Contribute to value management exercises.
Contribute to design reviews.
Advise on the selection of contractors.
Validate payments.
Oversee change control procedures.
Advise on disputes.
Monitor and assess overall client programmes and cost plans (which may include items beyond the scope of the main contract or consultant's appointments).
Advise on the transition from construction to occupation.
Report to the client.

The success of a project manager is generally reliant on the effectiveness of the specific individual appointed rather that the reputation of the company they work for. It is important therefore that the individual selected is named in the appointment document and that they cannot be substituted without the agreement of the client.

The required characteristics of an effective project manager are:

An ability to solve problems with intellectual rigour.
Energy coupled with the ability to inspire others.
Confident leadership and communication skills.
Capability of seeing the whole picture.
Good negotiating skills.
They understand the meaning of 'collaboration'.

On publicly-funded projects, a project manager might be appointed from the private sector, or an experienced project sponsor might act as project manager. The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) guidance describes the project manager as,

...the named individual (often from the private sector) responsible for the day-today detailed management of the project and who provides the interface between the project sponsor and the supplier members of the project team.

(Ref. Achieving Excellence in Construction Procurement Guide: Project organisation, roles and responsibilities.)

The position of the project manager within the overall project organisation is illustrated below: