In some large organizations, there are dedicated Project Managers. These organizations are able to pay for just what they need, in a sense. They receive the skills and capabilities of focused project management from someone who does it all the time, and they in turn pay for that capability at the current market rate for project managers. Those organizations also have enough project management work to keep one or more individuals busy doing it all the time.

But what about the rest of the organizations? What about those that have more sporadic project management needs? Often, a leader in the organization who already has more than enough responsibilities is tapped to be the project manager of a special initiative or the development of a new product or service. This can be challenging enough, but can create even more anxiety over the summer months when many people still want to take a vacation. If this is starting to sound a little too familiar, have you thought of outsourcing the project management? Aside from the obvious benefit of you or other leaders being able to take that vacation, using an “outside” Project Manager has some additional benefits.

  • A qualified Project Manager has extensive experience managing many diverse projects in a variety of organizations and circumstances. This gives them working experience with a wide range of situations and challenges, and expertise using many different tools and techniques to keep your project moving forward.

  • A project Manager from “outside” your organization will not be biased by any personal agendas or organizational politics. Their neutral perspective and lack of any personal stake in the project allows them to focus on the process and achieving the project goals, while serving as the perfect facilitator of any disagreements.

  • Using an experienced project manager makes financial sense in that you are paying a fair market rate for the expertise and skills you need – project management. It then frees up any internal leader that would have fulfilled the role to focus on their regular responsibilities, which could very well be associated with a higher level of compensation.

  • A contracted Project Manager will be focused on your project and not be distracted by any other priorities or responsibilities in your organization.

Still trying to come up with a way to be two places at once this summer (work and vacation)? Contact me at your convenience and we can talk about whether a project management engagement may be the solution you have been looking for. I have served as a project manager for a wide variety of process improvement efforts, new service / product development teams, and feasibility studies, just to name a few.

I'd be glad to help you have a great summer!

Jeff Schilling