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Traditionally, IT project managers would carry assignments through to the point they’re ready for handoff to a different department, happy to shake off the dirt off and start fresh with another assignment. Now, however, a new role is emerging in which IT project managers stay involved longer, which comes with certain advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages: There are a few reasons why it makes good sense for an IT project manager to stay engaged beyond the point of the project transitioning to separate service. Today’s project managers naturally feel a greater sense of ownership over a project’s success, its deliverables, and stakeholders, especially if they have stayed involved to see how it affects end users.
In addition, rather than simply measuring adherence to the delivery date and budget parameters, continuing with projects helps project managers assess the success of their projects more accurately. They can measure factors such as revenue, downtime, market share, and the time it takes end users to complete a task.
An IT project manager who stays on an assignment well into its service phase also helps increase the momentum of a project. Such managers are invested in outcomes, and they can help resolve any issues impeding that progress.
The disadvantages: There are many reasons why extending the role of IT project managers can be detrimental. This includes the most obvious reason, which is a shortage of talent. Keeping IT project managers focused on a single project for a greater amount of time means your project queue will inevitably get longer. That’s why enterprises must weigh whether it makes more monetary sense to keep a project manager on longer or to have them start on something new. Sometimes, keeping project managers on a task longer increases the overall cost of the project beyond the initial budget. So while it may seem beneficial to keep project managers involved, it’s important to weigh their value against increasing costs.
Considering managed IT: Many enterprises find it beneficial to outsource some portion of their IT to keep these costs in check. Managed IT can fulfill a variety of roles, including that of IT project managers, especially when it’s time to transition to service. After all, a project manager’s influence goes a long way toward ensuring a project’s success. Additionally, outsourcing IT can also help in-house teams focus on their vision and assessing metrics related to their projects. So let managed IT handle your day-to-day security, infrastructure, and software management. It’s among the most viable solutions for enterprises seeking a way to keep a project manager from steering a project beyond the scope of service.
If you’re looking for ways to solve your IT challenges, contact Access One today. From managed IT solutions to premier cloud services and hosted phone branch exchange (PBX), we have the solutions your enterprise seeks.