project assignment

Sandeep somana

10000135035

Under guidance of: Dr. Saya Sone

Why PM is the CEO’s Best Friend

A project manager plays a very big role in the success or downfall of a company. Even though his role is to execute projects to their fulfillment they are very instrumental in the overall performance of a business. He is responsible for the initiation of an idea, designing, and planning of the idea, implementation, and monitoring of the success of the project. A CEO, on the other hand, is the top executive of a company that bears the responsibility of the success or failure of an organization. His main role is to make plans for the company and implementing the strategic direction of the organization. It’s the responsibility of the CEO to ensure that the company conforms to legal obligations, monitor opportunities for expansion, maintain a solid customer base and also create a competitive advantage that will enable the company to stay ahead of its competitors (Jackson, 2017).

In the case of unfavorable business conditions the CEO normally requires the effort of everyone in the organization to come up with ideas. This might be in terms of innovation, efficiency or cutting back costs in one way or the other. Even though solutions might come from any corner, one sure department to rely on is the projects. The project manager is normally also in charge of a team of creatives that come up with ideas to improve the entity. It is no surprise, therefore, to see when a project manager fails the CEO might also face the same fate. The same is true for the CEO who is responsible for any loss or failure in the company.

The roles of the CEO and PM are similar in the sense that they are both accountable for certain results and the performance of the teams which they control. They are both supposed to develop key plans and budgets that are in line with the objectives of a company. When they come up with good frameworks of going about something they have to share with their juniors and convince the board and stakeholders that the move is worthwhile. One of their most important roles is that of creating a positive work culture in the organization. In the teams, they lead the culture of work built can affect immensely the results that are got from it. With bad work, culture employees are demotivated and hence are unable to perform well. On the other hand, if the work culture is good when everyone is confident and believes in his or herself making their outcome to be elevated. By doing so they can motivate their teams to believe in themselves and what they are capable of.

While using their broad experience and skill the CEO and the PM are expected to use their technical knowledge to approve or disapprove any inventions that might be brought about. Their role is to ensure every software or hardware product initiated is up to the required standards set by the company. The two must also understand the laws and regulations regarding certain practices that might be in use so that to ensure compliance. In their line of work, they both make decisions that affect the company. It is for this reason that they are also held accountable for the things that happen under their watch. The PM and CEO must, therefore, have the ability to stand criticism, honest evaluations and the consequences of their decisions even when they fail.

It is obvious that even though the two have quite similar functions not everything about them is similar. For example, the CEO bears the overall responsibility of reporting to the board and running the frim. The PM, on the other hand, is more involved in his department with responsibility to his/her employer and the company as a whole. The CEO is also of course in charge of other key areas within the company such as the human resources and marketing departments. He, however, does not have a strong bond to the other departments like the one he needs with the PM if he is to survive tough times. We can also see how the job of a PM is a very good training ground for becoming a CEO of an organization.

The work of a PM is often involving and requires a great deal of dedication and integrity to come through. This is gained through years of diligently following up on projects until they are successful. This might at times involve repeating various experiments continuously without fail to get it right. As a result, most PM is normally very well equipped to face the harshest of economic situations (Mascia, 2014). This means they are best suited to tackle uncertainties that may arise in the course of work. To survive turbulent times it requires people with tough skills to manage the situation in a bid to stay afloat. This is why CEOs require PM to be very near them while they are running their daily operations.

Even though in recent statistics very few CEOs come from the PM title it is worthy to note the skills obtained by a PM are vital in the role of CEO. True a project manager might not have all the desired qualities required in a CEO such as leadership and communication. We can conclude that even though it is not a must for a PM to become the CEO it is prudent for the CEO to possess the PM skills. It is important for the CEO to keep the PM close as he/she has a lot of value to add to the CEO.

References

Jackson, T. (2017). Review of Becoming a strategic leader. The Psychologist-Manager Journal, 20(4), 288-294.

Mascia, A. (2014). Project manager: leader, influencer e conflict manager. PROJECT MANAGER (IL), (20), 19-23.