TCFBO #044: Pivoting Project Roles - Part One

Read Time: 3.5 minutes

In the context of a project, there are three key roles.

The Visionary.

The Project Manager.

And the people carrying out the tasks who we’ll refer to as Implementers.

Each role is distinct yet interdependent.

And each role contributes uniquely to the success of the project.

Now, if resources are tight, then you may find yourself having to fulfil all three roles at once.

But this can be extremely tricky because each role requires a unique skill set and a different mindset.

And if you’re not consciously aware of what role you’re meant to be playing at any given time, you run the risk of…

…spending your time dreaming about the future when action is required

…or veering completely off track as obstacles arise

…or getting so bogged down with tasks that you forget why you were doing them in the first place.

However,  the good news is that, should you have to fulfil more than one of these roles at any given time, there’s a simple strategy to enable you to effortlessly switch between them.

But to do that, we first need to be clear on each of the roles and the differences between them.

The Visionary is someone who sees the big picture, identifies new opportunities, and conceptualises what needs to be achieved for long-term success.

Typically, they are the strategic thinker behind a project.

They are responsible for defining the project's overarching goals and making sure the project stays headed towards the overall business vision, especially when challenges arise.

Unlike the Project Manager and Implementer, the Visionary is more focused on the 'what' and 'why' of the project rather than the 'how' and 'when'.

The Project Manager is the driver of the project, responsible for the planning, execution, and completion of individual tasks and the overall project.

It’s their responsibility to translate the Visionary’s vision into an actionable plan, set timelines, allocate resources, and ensure that the project stays on track.

They must also address challenges, manage risks, and keep everyone with an interest in the project informed and engaged.

The Project Manager operates at a more granular level than the Visionary, focusing on the 'how' and 'when'.

But, unlike Implementers, the Project Manager is more focused on overseeing and coordinating all aspects of the project to ensure its successful completion, rather than doing the actual tasks.

Implementers are the individuals who carry out the specific tasks and activities required to complete the project.

They are the doers, applying their skills and expertise to implement the plan developed by the Project Manager and aligned with the Visionary’s strategic direction.

Implementers are focused primarily on the 'doing', working within the confines of their specific assigned tasks.

Unlike the Project Manager, they may not have a holistic view of the project or be involved in the planning or decision-making processes.

Their role is more specialized and operational compared to the strategic and managerial roles of the Visionary and Project Manager.

Each of these roles is critical to delivering a successful project and ultimately, your business vision.

And the most successful projects will leverage the strengths of each role and ensure that each member of the team, no matter their position, is valued and heard.

If you have a good understanding of the importance of each role and the differences between them, on the projects where you do have to fulfil more than one of these roles, you’ll find it much easier to identify which role you should be playing at any given point.

And next week we’ll share a simple strategy for you, as the business owner, to switch between these roles effortlessly.

For now though, we’d suggest taking a moment to consider the following.

Which role do you feel most comfortable playing?

Which role would you love to spend more time playing?

Which role(s) are you or your team strongest at?

Which role(s) are you or your team weakest at?

Then see if you can identify specific examples of when you’ve successfully and unsuccessfully played each of the three roles.

What went right and what went wrong?

Let us know how you get on and we’ll see you next week.

Paul & Philly

Whenever you’re ready, there are three ways we can help you:

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