Orchestra metaphor - Research Paper Example

May 26, Project Manager as Conductor An appropriate metaphor, for the responsibilities of Project Manager, is that of Orchestra Conductor. A conductor inspires and communicates shared vision of a composition, just as project managers hold the larger picture of a project and, motivated by its vision, encourage others toward a shared end. Orchestra members trust the conductor’s leadership, and project team members should trust the project manager’s leadership, in order to facilitate a beneficial outcome.

The project manager, like an orchestra conductor, must trust his team enough to delegate responsibility, rather than doing everything alone. At the same time, both conductor and project manager maintain responsibility and pay attention to coordinating role performance. An orchestra conductor is responsible for the rhythm and timing of the performance, as well as the mood and interpretation of the original composition, using fortes and pianissimos. Similarly, a project manager must be sensitive to the rhythm of a project, the timing of individual contributions, and the mood and interpretation of the original project proposal goals, intuiting when to push firmly and when to be gentle.

The conductor accepts audience appreciation with dignity, and directs appreciation to orchestra members. A good project manager does the same. Unlike orchestra conductors, project managers coordinate with department heads, media, government officials, lawyers, graphic artists, etc., using a sense of humor to keep perspective, and bring everything in on time and under budget. Politician may be an appropriate metaphor. The most important quality to have is excellent communication skills, because a project manager must ask the right questions (Answers.com), influence people, and inspire and communicate shared vision (Bennis).

Of least importance is the position title and job description, because a leader leads with or without a title or job description, and general management and leadership skills are applicable to project managing. Works Cited Answers.com. Which of the Eight Traits of Being an Efficient Project Manager is Important? 2011. 26 May 2011 . Bennis, W. Learning to Lead. MA: Addison-Wesley, 1997.