Create a Partnership Between the Project Manager and Line Managers

MARISETTY SHAILESH

1. How do we create a partnership between the project manager and line managers when project manager focuses only on the best interest of his/her project and the line manager is expected to make impartial company decisions?

In my opinion, communication and determination play a major role in establishing an effective partnership between the project manager and line manager. Co-ordination between project manager and line manager is very essential for any company. This can simplify or complicate the working methodology of the organization.

A line manager is usually responsible for multiple projects and has to cater to the needs and requirements of different types of projects. He/she has to take decisions which would benefit the company in terms of revenue and aspirations. But they should very well realize that every project requires a project manager to successfully complete the project. If projects fail, there is no way that any company can survive.

A project manager is usually responsible for the particular project he/she is assigned and are not related to other projects of the company (In some cases, one project can be inter-related with another project and the proceedings of one has a significant impact on the other). So a project manager generally looks at the prospects of his/her project and takes decisions. But they need to realize that as a project manager they are responsible for the company’s goals and aspirations and have to accomplish projects in a way that benefits the company’s goal.

Both, line manager and project manager are working for the welfare of the organization but in their line of work. They generally do not acknowledge this and end up having conflicts. A project manager should never try to dominate the line manager and so should the line manager. Both need to understand that they are there to work for the benefit of company and not to overshadow each other. Depending on the type of project and company’s working methodology, in some cases a project manager should have higher authority over selection of resources and in some cases, the line manager. Project manager should try to understand the restrictions and work force constraints of the line manager and should try to utilize the allocated resources effectively. And also, line manager should always consider the individual project’s prospects and take decisions accordingly.

1. Who should have more of a say during negotiations for resources: the project manager or the line manager?

It depends on the size of organization, type of project(s) and also on the previous experience of the organization.

But, in general a line manager should have more of a say during negotiations for resources. He/she is the one who will have knowledge and information about various projects and would be able to determine the effective way to allocate resources. Project manager should focus more on the utilization of allocated resources effectively to finish the project.

However, like in the case of Ducor Chemicals, if the project manager has any serious concerns they should communicate it with the line managers. Line managers should also consider the concerns of the project manager while taking decisions. In this case, line manager assured the project manager that he would ensure the smooth flow of meetings with the clients but did not keep his word. We can’t use this example to state that the project manager should have more authority because it was more of a personal failure of the line manager, not attending the meetings. The line manager had his own reasons for his decisions. But it is also not too clear about the project manager’s efforts to work with the allocated resource. It was mentioned that the employee was arrogant but the steps taken to train the employee were not clearly mentioned.