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We thought it might be a good idea to provide a brief insight into why every well-executed project needs a project manager.

What is Project Management?

If you’re looking for a dictionary definition, the Project Management Institute describes it as: “The application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements.”  This definition doesn’t really explain what a Project Manager will do for you on a specific project. To us, Project Management is really making sure that the finished project is what the client wants – something they are happy with and will use to its full potential.

So, to explain this a little more, the Project Manager will be responsible for understanding your project brief and scheduling this into the calendar of work. From here, the PM will provide regular updates on the progress of the project. You will also discuss some details with specialists from time to time, for example, during the design phase of a project, you would have some meetings (either in person or via a video call) with a designer to ensure that they capture your ideas as best as possible, as well as advise on best practice and current trends.

You may also speak to other department experts throughout the process of building a website, but you will always be able to get in touch with the Project Manager if you have any questions, concerns or changes you want to make. It’s then the Project Manager’s responsibility to ensure this is factored into the project and delivered as agreed, so that you, the client, end up with a great product that you can not only use, but can manage going forward.

Why do I need a Project Manager for my website project?

We could say it’s much easier for you to only have to remember one person, or we could say that we like to stick to our internal process where updates or changes to the project are logged. Both are true, but the main reason really is so the client has one point of contact and the team has one person who coordinates the process internally.

You don’t want the hassle of checking each aspect of the project, right? You just want a catch-up with someone when needed, to update you on the whole project so that you can crack on with your normal daily tasks to ensure they don’t stack up. After all, a custom website can take a few months to complete.

How do we manage your website project?

Website projects are, typically, run on a waterfall or agile methodology. There are quite a few things that need to come together in order to complete a project, so whichever method is used, it’s really important to document all the requirements that are known at the start of the project, so that a route to delivering your website project can be planned. This makes the process of ensuring that all elements are completed on time and to the correct standard quite straight forward.

A Project manager will use a tool such as Zoho Projects or Monday.com to track projects (the agency may or may not choose to allow you to view the project). If access is granted you will be able to interact with it, just as we do, so that you can comment on tasks and bugs, add content ready for us to edit, update and upload. You can view project reports to check on the progress of the project, so that you’re always up-to-date on what still needs to be worked on.

Which tools does a typical Project Manager use?

Project Management tool – This is the hub for the entire project

Calls & Video Conference Tools

Emails

  • As you would expect, we are always checking our emails so if it’s easier to write something down, this is just another avenue for us to communicate through.

Collaboration Tools

Written by Alex Warner – Project Manager at XIST2