As a marketing executive working on web development projects, understanding how to effectively collaborate with your Project Manager (PM) is crucial for project success. I just attended an awesome webinar hosted by bugherd “Effective Strategies for Managing Non-Technical Clients through Web Development Projects” and it gave some major takeaways. Here’s what you need to know about working with a good PM and how to contribute to a smooth project flow.
1. Embrace Clear Communication
A good PM understands the importance of establishing a common language. They will:
- Initiate a project kick-off meeting to align on terminology and project phases.
- Define technical terms in a way that’s accessible to non-technical stakeholders.
Your role: Be open to learning new terms and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. A shared vocabulary enhances communication and reduces misunderstandings.
2. Understand Scope Management
Effective PMs are adept at managing project scope. They will:
- Listen to all your wants and needs for the website.
- Provide realistic feedback on what’s feasible within the current scope.
- Offer solutions like change orders or feature trade-offs when necessary.
Your role: Don’t hold back; paint the big picture to your PM of what you want so they can work with you to explain what’s feasible or not within scope. Be prepared to prioritize features and understand that changes often impact the project triangle of time, budget, and scope. Work with your PM to make informed decisions when trade-offs are necessary. The answer is usually yes – but just might mean a push of extended timeline or increased budget.
3. Respect Timeline Management
Good PMs are proactive about timeline management. They will:
- Explain the ripple effects of missed deadlines. A one day delay on your end, doesn’t always equate to just one extra day on the overall timeline.
- Identify potential scheduling conflicts or bottlenecks in advance.
- Propose realistic timelines and flag unreasonable deadlines.
Your role: Respect the proposed timelines and communicate any foreseeable delays on your end promptly. Be prepared to discuss alternatives if deadlines seem unattainable. A timeline only works if it’s realistic.
4. Value the Point of Contact (POC) Role
A competent PM recognizes the critical nature of the client’s POC. They understand that:
- The POC (often you) is the primary source of truth for the project.
- Changes in POC can significantly impact the project.
Your role: If you’re the POC, gather input from all stakeholders before making decisions. If you need to hand over the POC role, ensure a thorough knowledge transfer to maintain project continuity. YOU are the MVP of this project.
5. Anticipate Visualization Challenges
Experienced PMs know that some stakeholders struggle to envision the final product from wireframes or designs. They will:
- Use various tools like wireframes, designs, and staging sites to help visualize the end product.
- Guide you through each stage of the visual development process.
Your role: Try to engage your imagination when reviewing early-stage deliverables. Ask questions to fill in gaps in your understanding, and provide detailed feedback at each stage. You won’t see the live website until it’s launched. However, you can imagine the final product based on the outlines and/or wireframes, designs and staging site throughout the project.
6. Collaborate Proactively
The best PMs view the relationship as a partnership. They will:
- Ask thorough questions to extract all necessary information.
- Present ideas and solutions based on your input and their expertise.
Your role: Be an active participant in the process. Share your vision clearly, ask questions, and provide timely, constructive feedback.
Summary
Successful web development is a collaborative effort. Great projects hinge on the synergy between marketing executives and Project Managers. By embracing clear communication, understanding scope and timeline management, valuing your role as the POC, anticipating visualization challenges, and collaborating proactively, you set the stage for project success.
Your PM is not just a taskmaster but a partner and coach in this journey. With mutual respect, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to the project’s goals, you can navigate the complexities of web development with confidence.
Now grab your bestie (oh hey PM!), make some matching shirts, order each other a low-fat, sugar free vanilla latte (or a pour over, let’s be grown adults here) and hit the ground running together. Hands in – 1-2-3 GO TEAM!
