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Realization of an IT project is a process with a complex structure. Developers have technical minds, and the range of their tasks is specific.

Seeing the whole picture, organizing the workflow, and balancing the effectiveness of solutions within a certain approach. A project manager (PM) usually does all these tasks.

A customer doesn`t need to communicate directly with developers and go into details. Practice shows that this is ineffective and emotionally labor-intensive for both sides. So, a PM is supposed to control performers and keep track of the deadlines.

A qualified PM understands what developers do. As well as they often come into this position from development and testing. At the same time, a PM remains on a customer’s side, protects his interests, understands the tasks, and knows how to allocate resources.

What does a project manager do?

1. A PM organizes the workflow so that the developers don`t deviate from the assigned tasks, and the customer understands the capabilities of the team.

2. He distributes the workload so that the performers don`t waste their time on the administrative routine and remain capable, making effective and, if the situation requires creative decisions.

3. It`s important for a customer that the developer doesn`t waste his time on tasks unrelated to the project. He won`t physically be able to control everything, so here the PM comes to the aid.

4. A project manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, so he will allocate resources and optimize the work process most efficiently.

5. A supervisory person who can handle unforeseen problems should always be on the project. This is necessary so that the customer remains calm and aware of the status of the project, knows that all processes are under control, that he won`t have to solve the problems that have arisen on his own or fix the shortcomings manually.

Based on this, a good PM should have developed leadership, organizational, and communication skills. He should be fluent in time management tools and be professional in building and managing teams.

A project manager is essential throughout the development process. His role and functions change depending on the stage at which the project is located.

1. Negotiation.

At this stage, the needs of the business and the expected result are determined, and the PM gives a rough estimate of the timing and budget. He gets to know the goals of the project and participates in the formation of a model of cooperation. 

A project manager is well versed in technological trends and, focusing on experience, knows what nuances are important to take into account in the implementation of a specific project. He also proposes ideas and, based on the data obtained, forms a team and a development schedule, distributes the load. The team creates a list of functionality that will solve the project’s tasks.

2. Development.

When the developers begin to act according to the plan, the PM monitors the correctness of tasks and deadlines, the overall status of the project, and the individual state of each team member. All this is necessary for effective and well-coordinated work. And so that the team can quickly and energy-efficiently deal with them in case of unforeseen situations.

Also at this stage, the PM monitors progress, solves everyday difficulties, removes obstacles, reports on the status of the project. He monitors compliance with the budgetary framework and the fulfillment of tasks.

3. Release.

A project manager monitors the readiness of all tasks and requirements that were set for the project and the developers, softens the edges, and monitors the final of the project, its level of readiness, and functionality. 

In addition to a huge range of tasks, the PM has two main goals

1. To meet the deadlines. 

2. To get a relevant result, while preserving the functionality of the team and its resources.

Therefore, the work of the PM is not only about structure and timeliness. He is involved in the project he`s leading. The PM is primarily interested in its success and profitability. 

So the project manager is the mediation between the customer and the developers. He communicates with both sides, thanks to which the client can mind his own business without the need to control the process.