Within PRINCE2 methodology, the team manager is responsible for ensuring that the products which have been defined by the project manager are produced to the parameters expected (by the project board) with regard to:
- Quality
- Time
- Cost
The team manager reports to the project manager, and on smaller projects the project manager is likely to take the team manager role.
What competencies does a team manager need?
Not surprisingly, the key competencies required by the team manager are similar to those of a project manager. The team manager needs to employ a variety of skills, covering technical, management, and people skills. These should be continually developed, with lessons learned on every project.
Key competencies include:
- Planning
- Time management
- People management
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Conflict management
Specific responsibilities of the team manager
The team manager’s role is key in the preparation, planning and monitoring of product delivery. He or she will work closely with the project manager, ensuring that issues and risks are identified, interrogated, and solved.
Listed as a summary, team manager responsibilities are:
- To prepare the team plan
- Agree the team plan with the project manager
- Plan and manage the work of the project team
- Monitor and take responsibility for use of resources by the team
- Produce milestone reports as required by the project manager
- Identify issues and risks associated with work packages, and advise these to the project manager
- Identify deviations from the plan, and recommend corrective actions
- Work with the project manager to prepare exceptions plans
- Hand over completed products to the project manager
- Liaise with project assurance and project support
- Plan quality activities and ensure they are performed correctly
- Make entries into the Quality Register
- Manage issues and risks in line with instructions from the project manager
When would PM and TM roles be combined?
The need to create a separate team manager role should be discussed between the project manager and the project board. In some circumstances the two roles may be combined. This will depend upon:
- The size of the project
- The skills and knowledge needed to produce the product
- The location of project teams
- The preference of the project board
Where it is deemed necessary for the roles of team manager to be separate, the role will need to be clearly defined and documented in the start-up process.
In summary, the team manager is responsible for the management of teams ‘at the coalface’. Reporting directly to the project manager, the team manager holds a key position in the successful productions of project products.
In our next blog, we’ll discuss the role of change authority in PRINCE2 projects. Meanwhile, if you need advice or assistance with your project, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
