project management

You, like many others, realize that hiring an excellent project manager is necessary to achieve success in your latest endeavor/initiative. While you and your team are convinced, your upper management/CEOs are not. They may even ask why you can’t just do this on your own. What can you do? Our team sees this frequently and we’ve got 3 tips to help bring your upper management on board, so YOU can provide the successful results everyone wants.

1.) Build a cost-benefit analysis to show money that will be saved in the long run

Many people groan when they think of building a cost-benefit analysis but what’s needed here is simple. There are many articles and reports online that speak to the value of hiring a project manager, and there are probably first-hand experiences from others in your company, of how hiring a project manager saved money in the long run. Utilize these statistics to show upper management the proven value of investing in a project manager. Additionally, project management companies will have their own examples of ways they’ve saved clients money, so don’t be afraid to ask the ones you want to hire for data– you’ll find them truly invested in helping you succeed.

2.) Outline past examples of failures and/or lessons learned from previous projects, to highlight the gaps a Project Manager can fill

Just as there are internal examples of saving money because of great project management, it is also likely that someone can point to a failed project because of a lack of quality management and oversight. Use their experience to illustrate that, even though your team has many skills, an experienced project manager can bring their experience from other projects and a fresh perspective to the table. This allows you and your team to focus on day-to-day activities to keep the business successful. The project manager will manage all the project details, keep everyone focused on the goal and ask the important questions to make sure the solution created meets the company objectives.

3.) Show the benefits you, your team, and your organization will get, aside from help on the project/initiative

If the money savings and lessons learned don’t convince your upper management/CEO, there is another fact that may help – that is, recognizing the many LASTING benefits your team sees from working with a skilled project manager. Aside from having a successful project/initiative, an experienced project manager will also: train your team and transfer skill knowledge so you have the tools for continued success; help to improve overall company team processes and structure; create stronger team and employee buy-in; improve employee value to the company; and much more. Helping upper management/CEOs see these benefits is often a surest way to get their approval for hiring a project manager.

While the three options outlined above are major ones to help in bringing everyone on board with hiring a project manager, there are others that can address and defuse the fear or hesitation for hiring. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the project manager you want to hire and ask them for help. They are an expert for a reason and want to help you reach your greatest business potential.

Interested in learning more about how project management could help your business problem? Contact us today for an exclusive strategy session! If you’re interested in learning more, and discussing other issues, email Kim West, or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.