How much power does a 'project manager' have? [closed]

Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP

.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;

up vote
-4
down vote

favorite

2

Consider a medium sized research group, say a dozen people or more. It's typical in certain fields to have a project manager that looks after finances and other admin tasks. Sometimes the person will have a background in that field, sometimes no relevant academic experience.

I've come across some project managers who consider themselves very important and influential. I'm just wondering how much decision making power they actually have since the head academic ultimately calls the shots? Is it appropriate to appeal to the head academic if you disagree with the project manager?

project-management politics

share|improve this question

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

closed as off-topic by Jim G., gnat, Jan Doggen, Elysian Fields♦ Sep 17 '14 at 13:24

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, Elysian Fields

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

migrated from academia.stackexchange.com Sep 17 '14 at 11:37

This question came from our site for academics and those enrolled in higher education.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
  – Enthusiastic Student
  Sep 17 '14 at 8:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 17 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-4
down vote

favorite

2

Consider a medium sized research group, say a dozen people or more. It's typical in certain fields to have a project manager that looks after finances and other admin tasks. Sometimes the person will have a background in that field, sometimes no relevant academic experience.

I've come across some project managers who consider themselves very important and influential. I'm just wondering how much decision making power they actually have since the head academic ultimately calls the shots? Is it appropriate to appeal to the head academic if you disagree with the project manager?

project-management politics

share|improve this question

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

closed as off-topic by Jim G., gnat, Jan Doggen, Elysian Fields♦ Sep 17 '14 at 13:24

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, Elysian Fields

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

migrated from academia.stackexchange.com Sep 17 '14 at 11:37

This question came from our site for academics and those enrolled in higher education.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
  – Enthusiastic Student
  Sep 17 '14 at 8:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 17 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-4
down vote

favorite

2

up vote
-4
down vote

favorite

2

2

Consider a medium sized research group, say a dozen people or more. It's typical in certain fields to have a project manager that looks after finances and other admin tasks. Sometimes the person will have a background in that field, sometimes no relevant academic experience.

I've come across some project managers who consider themselves very important and influential. I'm just wondering how much decision making power they actually have since the head academic ultimately calls the shots? Is it appropriate to appeal to the head academic if you disagree with the project manager?

project-management politics

share|improve this question

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

Consider a medium sized research group, say a dozen people or more. It's typical in certain fields to have a project manager that looks after finances and other admin tasks. Sometimes the person will have a background in that field, sometimes no relevant academic experience.

I've come across some project managers who consider themselves very important and influential. I'm just wondering how much decision making power they actually have since the head academic ultimately calls the shots? Is it appropriate to appeal to the head academic if you disagree with the project manager?

project-management politics

share|improve this question

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

edited Apr 30 '15 at 1:23

Roger

7,17132644

7,17132644

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

asked Sep 17 '14 at 8:50

SoB

closed as off-topic by Jim G., gnat, Jan Doggen, Elysian Fields♦ Sep 17 '14 at 13:24

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, Elysian Fields

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

migrated from academia.stackexchange.com Sep 17 '14 at 11:37

This question came from our site for academics and those enrolled in higher education.

closed as off-topic by Jim G., gnat, Jan Doggen, Elysian Fields♦ Sep 17 '14 at 13:24

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – gnat, Elysian Fields

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

migrated from academia.stackexchange.com Sep 17 '14 at 11:37

This question came from our site for academics and those enrolled in higher education.

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
  – Enthusiastic Student
  Sep 17 '14 at 8:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 17 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
  – Enthusiastic Student
  Sep 17 '14 at 8:57
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:40
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
  – sleske
  Sep 17 '14 at 12:42
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
  – Elysian Fields♦
  Sep 17 '14 at 13:25
  

  
  
  
  

Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
– Enthusiastic Student
Sep 17 '14 at 8:57

Is this question really about academia? Lets have a group of engineers who's project manager is a sportsman who is not an engineer but has some experience in managing engineering projects; the answer to this case and your case seem to be the same. This question is not specifically about academia.
– Enthusiastic Student
Sep 17 '14 at 8:57

1

1

I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
– sleske
Sep 17 '14 at 12:40

I'm afraid that in its current form the question is too broad to answer meaningfully. The meaning of a title like "project manager", and their responsibilites are too different depending on country, culture, line of business and rules of the company/organization.
– sleske
Sep 17 '14 at 12:40

1

1

I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
– sleske
Sep 17 '14 at 12:42

I think the migration was a mistake. If the question is specifically about the "project manager" in a research group in academia, it might still be answerable - but as a question about the workplace in general, it's way too broad.
– sleske
Sep 17 '14 at 12:42

1

1

This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
– Elysian Fields♦
Sep 17 '14 at 13:25

This question could be a good fit here, however in its current form it is not only overly broad and speculative but it is also not clear what you are asking and the only specific question you have is specific to academic settings.
– Elysian Fields♦
Sep 17 '14 at 13:25

suggest improvements | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

up vote
-1
down vote

I work with a lot of project managers. Generally they have the power to stop a project entirely or remove team members who are not performing from the project. Since they take care of the political aspects of the project as well as the financial they tend to be very powerful and not someone who you should get on the bad side of. In general, they are higher ranking than the technical team lead, so going to him in a disagreement will not likely get you far.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
  – Martin Fawls
  Feb 18 '16 at 3:23
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
-1
down vote

I work with a lot of project managers. Generally they have the power to stop a project entirely or remove team members who are not performing from the project. Since they take care of the political aspects of the project as well as the financial they tend to be very powerful and not someone who you should get on the bad side of. In general, they are higher ranking than the technical team lead, so going to him in a disagreement will not likely get you far.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
  – Martin Fawls
  Feb 18 '16 at 3:23
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-1
down vote

I work with a lot of project managers. Generally they have the power to stop a project entirely or remove team members who are not performing from the project. Since they take care of the political aspects of the project as well as the financial they tend to be very powerful and not someone who you should get on the bad side of. In general, they are higher ranking than the technical team lead, so going to him in a disagreement will not likely get you far.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
  – Martin Fawls
  Feb 18 '16 at 3:23
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-1
down vote

up vote
-1
down vote

I work with a lot of project managers. Generally they have the power to stop a project entirely or remove team members who are not performing from the project. Since they take care of the political aspects of the project as well as the financial they tend to be very powerful and not someone who you should get on the bad side of. In general, they are higher ranking than the technical team lead, so going to him in a disagreement will not likely get you far.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

I work with a lot of project managers. Generally they have the power to stop a project entirely or remove team members who are not performing from the project. Since they take care of the political aspects of the project as well as the financial they tend to be very powerful and not someone who you should get on the bad side of. In general, they are higher ranking than the technical team lead, so going to him in a disagreement will not likely get you far.

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

answered Sep 17 '14 at 13:33

HLGEM

133k25226489

133k25226489

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
  – Martin Fawls
  Feb 18 '16 at 3:23
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
  – Martin Fawls
  Feb 18 '16 at 3:23
  

  
  
  
  

1

1

It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
– Martin Fawls
Feb 18 '16 at 3:23

It really depends on which type of project team it is as well as the organizational structure and culture of the organization. A dedicated project team is different from a cross functional team. There are also organizations where the PM is subordinate to the technical lead (many DoD projects operate this way), or vice versa. It also depends on who the project sponsors/champion(s) are and how committed they are to the project.
– Martin Fawls
Feb 18 '16 at 3:23

suggest improvements |