In companies where projects are frequently late, over budget, or fail to meet their objectives, hiring a skilled project manager can improve productivity and morale – and often leads to greater profitability.

There are a few different structures for project management, and they can make a difference in the way your organization is run. The style of management can be more effective in certain industries, with the particular size of the company, or just personality types. Project management sets up the project team’s structure so the plan created during the planning phase can be executed effectively. They draw on past successes and failures to make sure past mistakes won’t happen on your project. Project managers not only ensure that projects stick to the scope and time frame, but also that they deliver on budget. They are continually measuring, evaluating, and correcting throughout a project.

This is what Alan, co-owner and CEO of Preferred Office Technologies had to say about getting an internal project manager certified: “The fact that we have a certified project manager on staff gives us instant credibility and accountability for the projects we manage. Most projects are managed by multiple staff members with improper communication and fluctuating timelines.  By investing in our project management, we have an individual dedicated to customer communication throughout the project process.  Projects may consist of software conversions, data migrations between servers, implementation of a new network, or converting paper business processes into a digital format.  It’s essential to have a documented roadmap for every phase and someone to manage the project with full communication between the company and the client.”

He went on to add “Preferred invested in the classes and tests required to obtain this certification.  With dedication and determination from Miranda Brinkman and some encouragement from Preferred, she was able to accomplish her goal of a CompTIA Project + certification!”

Here are a few of the roles a project manager can play:

• Monitor a budget and come in under estimate
• Help founders transition to big-picture focus
• Take management off the executive team’s plate
• Remove administrative tasks from employee workload
• Facilitate teamwork between multiple departments
• Communicate top-down and bottom-up
• Manage client expectations
• Keep projects within scope and on target
• Manage timelines, hours, and deadlines
• Maximize efficiency
• Minimize cost

Nearly every department needs project management to some degree and some more than others. Having an on-staff project manager allows for better internal communication throughout a project, gives them more buy-in on the result, and helps them more easily adapt to the next project because of the prior project background vs a contracted PM.

It could be tempting to save money and do the project without a project manager, but in the long run, your company will benefit more by having one, whether that’s as a contractor or on staff. Your projects will finish on time and produce better results with the help of a competent project manager. In the long run, the help of a project manager benefits everyone. Contact Preferred Office Technologies today to see how our new CompTIA certified project manager can help your business run smoother.

Since 1968, Preferred Office Technologies has been a partner in copier and print solutions but also provides managed IT and digital document solutions to a wide variety of public and private organizations. Preferred now proudly assists thousands of organizations across the United States through innovation and technology consulting. Get to know Preferred Office Technologies better by visiting OUR WEBSITE.