Project Manager or Project Leader?

Are you looking for a project manager, or are you looking for a project leader?

You may be thinking that the two are interchangeable. Isn’t a project manager leading the project? Aren’t they managing the workload, people, and budget? Yes. However, when you are determining what your project requires, understanding the difference is key to selecting the correct role for your implementation. It was Warren Bennis (1989) who said “Managers do things right. Leaders do the right thing.”  Let us take a moment to break apart a bit more the difference of each to understand Mr. Bennis’ quote and what you need for your project.

Leader

A leader is an individual who inspires others. This person will drive others towards a common goal, and many times that goal is long-term and unseen. A leader will need skills that includes the ability to manage relationships with all stakeholders (not just the significant stakeholders, but direct and indirect) (Greenhalgh, 2023). A leader will have the ability to impower teams and can rally people to align on goals. The leader will have a sense of the bigger picture, focusing on the strategy rather than a list or set of tasks (Greenhalgh, 2023).

Often, you hear the words Transformational Leader or Visionary Leader. According to Rizvi (2022), a transformational leader is one that focuses on short-term goals. Transformation leaders will lead by example and take a more direct approach. Visionary leaders, on the other hand, focus on long-term goals for their organization (Rizvi, 2022). They are more inspiring and motivating and delegate responsibility. Visionary leaders help build trust and many times are better at articulating goals, which motivates those around them to harmonize and agree upon the right course of action. Both types of leadership have pros and cons, and it is important to know which is best for your organization or project.

Manager

A manager is an individual that can set clear objectives, plan, create and execute standardized procedures, and monitor those procedures, taking corrective actions when needed (Greenhalgh, 2023). According to Hardesty (2009), a manager sets objectives, motivates, and communicates, organizes, measures, and develops people. Managers should be able to learn and listen effectively to those he or she oversees, set clear expectations, while consistently monitoring the task(s) at hand. It is more than yielding power, but instead is using skills to plan, build, and direct (Greenhalgh, 2023). Through maintaining the status quo, they do things right and well.

The Choice

So, the question remains which role does your organization require to effectively oversee your ERP implementation? At SISSCORP, we believe that you need someone who can encompass both. A leader that is both visionary and transformational and can easily pivot to manage the overall transformation that is desired when implementing a new ERP system. Combining core values with elastic strategies, they get things done with enough elasticity to respond to the twists and turns of your implementation to build towards a goal of a better future (Bolman & Deal, 2021).

When a project begins, implementation partners typically assign a Project Manager or Engagement Manager. It is important to understand this role is to implement the ERP. They are a manager. They have a project plan and a budget they must manage to completion. Their goal is to complete the set of tasks on time and on or under budget. However, the ERP system typically requires other ancillary systems to transform the overall day-to-day business of your organization. That is why the project needs an additional leader/manager that works for the organization to understand the overall strategy of why the ERP system is being implemented. There are goals, objectives, tasks, and timelines that are over and above the standard ERP implementation. The organization must align and address these to allow for a full transformation. The project leader must have the ability to understand the vision, create the strategy to make the transformation successful, and communicate to the stakeholders the additional needs to make the ERP system work for the organization. The leader must then become a manager incorporating these ideas into an overall plan where the implementation of the ERP and the strategy and tasks of the overall transformation align and are successful.

References 

Bennis, W. G. (1989). On becoming a leader. Basic Books.

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and leadership. (7th ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Greenhalgh, N. (2023, June 13). Leadership vs. management: The key differences. Daniels College of Business. https://daniels.du.edu/blog/leadership-vs-management/

Hardesty, C. (2009, April 7). What do managers do? Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-HOWTOMB-28

Rizvi, H. (2022, December 6). Visionary leadership vs transformational leadership: Which is right for you? Hidayatrizvi.com. https://hidayatrizvi.com/visionary-leadership-vs-transformational-leadership/