Blog
Emily Zhied, Project Management Expert at Birdview
While the terms “project leader” and “project manager” are often used interchangeably, they can imply different roles and responsibilities.
Who is a Project Leader?
If you answered, “It‘s the project manager”, you might not necessarily be right! While the project manager directs and coordinates processes and resources, he or she might not be a true leader of the project.
“So, who is the project leader?” you might ask. A project leader is a person who works primarily with people rather than the organization and structure of a project. He or she sets visions rather than objectives, motivates rather than directs, and assists in providing focus to the entire project team. While it is said that a project manager focuses on doing things right, the project leader will focus on doing the right things.
Project management ensures that processes run effectively, while project leadership starts change. It inspires and motivates people to become innovators, creating new products and ideas, and connects the entire team to a collective project vision. So does this mean that a project manager can‘t be a project leader? Quite the opposite!
Project Leader vs. Project Manager: A Detailed Comparison
While the terms “project leader” and “project manager” are often used interchangeably, they can imply different roles and responsibilities based on the context. Here’s a detailed comparison of the two roles:
Project Leader:
A project leader, often referred to as a project manager, is an individual responsible for overseeing and managing the various aspects of a project from initiation to completion. Their role is multifaceted, involving leadership, coordination, and strategic planning. Here are detailed aspects of a project leader’s role:
Initializing the project: The project leader is typically involved in the initial stages of a project, participating in project conception, defining goals and objectives, and assessing feasibility.
Project planning: They develop a comprehensive project plan, outlining tasks, timelines, resource requirements, and potential risks. This plan serves as a roadmap for the project team.
Organization: A project leader assembles a project team, assigns roles and responsibilities, and ensures that each team member has a clear understanding of their tasks.
Communication: Effective communication is a key responsibility. Project leaders must maintain open and transparent communication channels with team members, stakeholders, and clients to convey project goals, expectations, and updates.
Coordination: The project leader coordinates the efforts of the project team, ensuring that everyone is working towards common objectives. They manage task dependencies and resolve conflicts that may arise during the project.
Monitoring and Control: Continuous monitoring of project progress is essential. Project leaders track timelines, budgets, and quality standards. They implement control measures to address deviations from the plan promptly.
Problem-solving: Project leaders are adept at identifying and resolving issues that may impact the project’s success. They make decisions to keep the project on track and mitigate risks effectively.
Resource Management: Project leaders are responsible for allocating and managing resources efficiently. This includes human resources, budget, time, and any other assets required for project completion.
Adaptability: Projects often face changes in scope, requirements, or unexpected challenges. A project leader must be adaptable, adjusting plans and strategies to accommodate these changes while keeping the project on course.
Closure and Evaluation: Once the project is complete, the project leader oversees the closure phase, ensuring that all deliverables meet the specified requirements. They may conduct a project evaluation to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
Leadership: A project leader provides guidance and inspiration to the project team. They lead by example, motivate team members, and create a positive and collaborative working environment.
In summary, a project leader is a pivotal figure who plays a central role in the successful planning, execution, and completion of a project. Their leadership, organizational skills, and ability to navigate challenges are critical for achieving project objectives.
Birdview PSA is a project management tool that equips Project Leaders with the resources to efficiently plan, manage, and monitor their Projects.
This empowers teams to enhance their collaborative efforts. Birdview PSA features include real-time reports and dashboards that monitor performance and progress.
Project Manager: who is a project manager?
A project manager is a professional responsible for the planning, execution, and overall success of a project. Their role is multifaceted, encompassing various responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle. Here is a detailed description of a project manager’s role:
Initializing the project: Participates in project initiation, collaborating with stakeholders to define project goals, objectives, and scope. Conducts feasibility studies and assesses the project’s viability.
Project planning: Develop a comprehensive project plan that includes tasks, timelines, resource requirements, and budget allocations. Identifies potential risks and formulates risk mitigation strategies.
Team Leadership: Assembles a project team assigns roles and responsibilities, and ensures that each team member understands their tasks. Provides guidance, motivation, and support to team members throughout the project.
Collaboration: Maintains open and transparent communication channels with team members, stakeholders, and clients. Communicates project goals, expectations, progress, and any changes effectively.
Coordination: Coordinates the efforts of the project team, ensuring that tasks align with project objectives. Manages task dependencies, resolves conflicts, and fosters collaboration.
Monitoring and Control: Continuously monitors project progress against the project plan. Implements control measures to address deviations from the plan promptly.
Problem-solving: Identifies and resolves issues that may impact project success. Makes informed decisions to keep the project on track and mitigate risks.
Resource Management: Efficiently allocates and manages resources, including personnel, time, budget, and materials. Optimizes resource usage to meet project goals.
Adaptability: Adapts to changes in project scope, requirements, or unexpected challenges. Adjusts plans and strategies to accommodate changes while maintaining project momentum.
Closure and Evaluation: Oversees the project closure phase, ensuring that deliverables meet specified requirements. Conducts a project evaluation to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.
Leadership: Inspires and guides the project team with effective leadership. Motivates team members to achieve project goals and fosters a positive working environment.
Quality Assurance: Ensures that project deliverables meet quality standards and client expectations. Implements quality assurance processes throughout the project.
In summary, a project manager plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the successful planning, execution, and completion of a project. Their ability to lead a team, communicate effectively, solve problems, and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial for project success. The specific tasks and responsibilities may vary based on the nature and complexity of the project and the industry.
Birdview PSA makes the life of a Project Manager easier:
Choose the view (Table, Gantt, Kanban, Calendar) to plan, control, and manage projects that fit your needs.
Overlap and Integration:
In Many Cases: In many scenarios, especially in smaller organizations or projects, the roles of project leader and project manager may be performed by the same individual. The distinction between the two roles can blur, and the focus might shift based on project requirements.
Complementary Roles: In larger projects or organizations, the project leader and project manager roles may coexist, with each complementing the other. The project leader provides vision and inspiration, while the project manager ensures operational efficiency.
In summary, while the roles of project leader and project manager share commonalities, the emphasis on leadership, vision, and adaptability often characterizes a project leader, while a project manager tends to focus on task execution, control, and resource management. However, the specific responsibilities of each role can vary based on the organization, project size, and industry.
Becoming a good project manager starts from being a good leader. Having the ability to inspire and motivate others is crucial in project management. Project managers these days have access to some of the best and most efficient tools that assist them in organizing and structuring their projects, but without leadership skills delivering a successful project might prove to be quite a challenging task.
Think about this; are you a project manager or a project leader? Why not be both?
