We all know about project management – that’s why we’re all here. That’s why you’re taking the time to read this article and check back on PM Tips on a daily basis. But what about project leadership? Is there a difference between project management and project leadership?
Project management vs. project leadership
Project management really is the practice of using the tools, knowledge, and techniques needed for defining, planning, organizing, controlling, leading, and closing a project. Project leadership appears, therefore, to be a subset of project management. But it would be a mistake to assume that project leadership is secondary to project management. Project leadership is the only function that occurs throughout the project cycle – making it a extremely critical component of project management and something that without its existence project management really can’t successfully happen. It is, in many ways, the glue that holds the other functions together. The output from defining, planning, organizing, controlling, and closing a project depends largely on how well project leadership is exhibited. Without solid leadership, performance of the other functions will be marginal at best. Industries are replete with examples of projects that had well-defined plans and plenty of financial support, yet achieved less than satisfactory results. Project managers must gain and retain the confidence of myriad players, including the project sponsor, client, team, and senior management. Project leadership, then, means going beyond the mechanics of managing a project, such as building a work breakdown structure, constructing schedules, or managing change. It calls for inspiring all players to accomplish the goals and objectives in a manner that meets or exceeds expectations.
Best practices vs. practicing greatness
Ok, that subtitle may be a bit of a twist, but I think what we’re learning here is that project management means using best practices to manage an engagement toward a successful conclusion. Project leadership means using your skills, experience, confidence, and good reputation to take charge of the project team, your customer, and sometimes even the senior leadership in your organization and make drive – not manage – them toward a successful conclusion. One really can’t happen without the other. Project leadership without project management would likely be chaos. Project management without project leadership may get the project completed, but there’s a good chance that the end result wouldn’t be a very successful one. If leadership is lacking, customer satisfaction is likely lacking, too. If leaderhip is lacking, it’s not likely that the project timeline and budget will stay on track when the project hits bumps – and they all hit bumps.