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Foundations of Project Management

Intro

Project manager are responsible for the day-to-day management of projects. They shepherd projects from start to finish and serve as a guide for their team. Project managers must apply the right tools, techniques, and processes to complete the project successfully, on time, and within budget.****

Introductory-level project management roles

• Junior Project Manager: Performs all aspects of being a project manager alongside a more experienced professional.
• Project Administrator: Assists the rest of the project team with administrative tasks.
• Project/Program Assistant: Supports team members working on a project and offers administrative support. May perform research or create training documents along with other jobs as assigned by program leaders.
• Project/Program Coordinator: Participates in hands-on project work and administrative tasks. Works under a project manager to make sure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Project Support Specialist: Works alongside a project manager and team members to oversee assigned projects. May also be responsible for training and developing employees to perform designated tasks.

Traditional project management roles

• Project Manager: Responsible for the initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, and closing of a project. Includes industry-specific titles like IT project manager, construction project manager, or engineering project manager, which utilize skills that are transferable among industries.
• Project Analyst: Moves a project along by sharing information, providing support through data analysis, and contributing to strategy and performance.
• Project Leader/Director: Drives core decision-making and sets the direction for the project. Usually knowledgeable about the product or deliverable.
• Project Controller: Primarily responsible for project planning. You are likely to see this job title in industries like engineering and construction.
• Technical Project Manager: Conducts project planning and management for identified goals within a company. Ensures that projects are completed to the requirements within a defined time frame and budget.
• Project Management Office (PMO) Analyst: Manages the progress of complex projects to ensure timely execution and completion.

Program and portfolio management roles

While a project is one single-focused endeavor, a program is a collection of projects. Program managers are responsible for managing many projects. At Google, all project managers are called program managers because they manage multiple projects simultaneously.