Project managers are the unsung heroes. They’re the middlemen between the team and stakeholders who ensure all project deliverables go according to plan. They’re the ones who can steer things back on track when the unexpected happens, keeping in mind that stakeholder’s needs are insatiable.

Likening a project manager to a boat sailing, Just as a boat navigates through waters, a project manager navigates the project through its lifecycle, avoiding obstacles and ensuring a smooth journey and successful delivery. I will highlight the importance of having a project manager below;

📑 Communication: A boat uses signals and communication devices; a project manager facilitates clear communication among team members, and stakeholders to make sure everyone onboard understands project goals and is also updated with project activities. First, the project managers will need to Identify the stakeholders and their impacts on the projects, who to escalate things and who to make daily, bi-weekly and weekly projects reports to, to keep them informed. And to the team members, the project managers is tide with the responsibility of making sure that each person on the team clearly understands project outcomes and these can be communicated by having daily check-ins with team and also having a comprehensive document for the project.(Project management communication plan).

📑Resource management: A boat manages its cargo; a project manager manages project resources, ensuring the right resources (team members, materials, equipment, and budget) are allocated to the right tasks, balancing the work-load to avoid burnout, ensuring proper tracking of resources allocated for each task.

📑Project Scope: A boat’s steering system helps it stay on course; similarly, a project manager steers the project team towards stabilizing the project’s objectives so as to avoid scope creep, provide a sense of security for the team and stakeholders that the project is on track and also maintain focus towards project’s goal.

📑Project Plan: Just as a boat drops anchor to prevent drifting away from its intended position, a project manager establishes a solid project plan and timeline to prevent the project from drifting away from its intended scope, objectives and timelines.

📑Change requirement: Just as a boat adjusts to changing tides and currents; a project manager adapts to changing project requirements and stakeholders’ needs – altering the initial project approach to meet the needs of the stakeholders. This shows how a project manager demonstrates agility(Agile manifesto) to change and ensure project success.

Companies need project managers to define project road maps and drive project success by managing the process, people and tools.