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The Role of a Project Lead in Successful Project Management 

 June 3, 2023

Written by Yemisi Iyilade, Project Management Consultant, Leadership Coach, Scientist & Innovation Expert.

Project management can be a complex and challenging process, especially when you’re dealing with multiple stakeholders, that’s where a skilled project lead comes in. They serve as the main point of contact between the project team, stakeholders, and clients, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that the project is delivered on time and within budget.

In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the role of a project lead in successful project management and explore the key skills and strategies that are essential for this critical role.

We’ll also explore the differences between Project Leads and Project Managers and the unique responsibilities that each role entails. By understanding the nuances of these roles, individuals can better understand the expectations of each position and determine which career path aligns best with their skills and interests.

Who Is a Project Lead?

A project lead is a crucial role in any project management team. This individual is responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and successful delivery of a project within the given timelines, budget, and scope.

Another responsibility of the project leader is to serve as a liaison between the project team and stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

A project lead must possess a wide range of technical and soft skills to excel in their role. Technical skills such as project planning and scheduling, risk management, and budgeting are essential to ensure the project is delivered within the given constraints.

Additionally, project leads must have a good understanding of project management methodologies and frameworks and be proficient in using relevant project management tools and technologies.

Soft skills are equally important for project leads, as they must effectively communicate with stakeholders and team members, manage conflicts, and motivate team members to achieve project goals. Leadership skills, including decision-making, delegation, and problem-solving, are also essential for project leads to effectively manage their team and navigate the complexities of a project.

Project leads can be found in a variety of industries, including software development, construction, healthcare, and finance.

The specific job requirements and responsibilities of a project lead may vary depending on the industry and organization, but the core responsibilities remain the same – to plan, execute and deliver successful projects.

In conclusion, a project lead is a critical role in any project management team. This individual must possess a combination of technical and soft skills to effectively oversee a project from start to finish. If you aspire to become a project lead, it is essential to develop these skills and gain relevant experience to excel in this role.

Who Is a Project Manager?

A project manager is a professional who is responsible for overseeing a project from its inception to completion. They are accountable for the success of the project, and their role involves planning, organizing, and controlling all aspects of a project, including resources, timelines, and budgets.

The project manager is responsible for leading and managing the project team, ensuring effective communication and collaboration amongst team members, stakeholders, and vendors. They are responsible for managing project risks, identifying and mitigating issues, and ensuring that the project is delivered within the defined scope and budget.

Project managers must have a wide range of skills to excel in their roles. They must be adept at project management methodologies and frameworks, be proficient in using relevant project management tools and technologies, and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additionally, project managers must have leadership skills, including delegation, decision-making, problem-solving, and motivation, to effectively manage their team and navigate the complexities of a project.

A successful project manager must also have a good understanding of the industry and the specific requirements of the project to ensure that the project is delivered on time and within budget.

Project managers can be found in a variety of industries, including software development, construction, healthcare, and finance. The specific job requirements and responsibilities of a project manager may vary depending on the industry and organization, but the core responsibilities remain the same – to plan, execute and deliver successful projects.

In conclusion, project managers play a crucial role in the success of any project. They are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a project, from planning to execution and delivery, and must possess a wide range of technical and soft skills to excel in their role.

If you aspire to become a project manager, it is essential to develop these skills and gain relevant experience to succeed in this challenging yet rewarding profession.

What Is the Role of a Project Lead?

project leadership

A project lead is a professional responsible for the overall management and coordination of a project. The role of a project lead may vary depending on the industry and organization, but here are some of the key responsibilities that they typically have:

  1. Project Planning: The project leader is responsible for creating a project plan that outlines the scope of the project, the timeline, budget, and resources needed to complete it. They must also identify potential risks and develop a risk management plan.
  2. Team Management: The project lead must effectively manage the project team, which includes assigning tasks, providing guidance, and monitoring progress to ensure that the project stays on track.
  3. Communication: The project lead must ensure that there is effective communication between all stakeholders, including team members, clients, and vendors. They must provide regular updates on the project’s progress, identify any issues or concerns, and collaborate with the team to find solutions.
  4. Budget Management: The project lead is responsible for managing the project budget, which includes tracking expenses and ensuring that the project is completed within budget.
  5. Quality Assurance: The project lead must ensure that the project is completed to the required quality standards. This may involve conducting quality audits, ensuring that all deliverables meet the specified requirements, and addressing any quality issues that arise during the project.
  6. Risk Management: The project lead must identify potential risks and develop a risk management plan to mitigate them. This may involve creating contingency plans, identifying risk triggers, and implementing risk response strategies.
  7. Stakeholder Management: The project lead must manage relationships with all project stakeholders, including clients, team members, vendors, and external partners. They must ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with the project outcomes and that their expectations are met.
  8. Leadership: The project lead must provide leadership to the project team, inspiring and motivating team members to achieve project goals. They must also have the ability to make tough decisions when necessary and to provide direction and guidance to the team.

In conclusion, the role of a project lead is multifaceted and requires a combination of technical and soft skills.

They are responsible for managing all aspects of a project, from planning to delivery, and must possess strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to be successful in their role. If you aspire to become a project lead, it is essential to develop these skills and gain relevant experience to succeed in this challenging yet rewarding profession.

What Is the Difference Between a Project Lead and a Project Manager?

When it comes to project management, two common titles that are often used interchangeably are Project Lead and Project Manager. While both roles involve overseeing projects and ensuring their successful completion, there are some key differences between the two. Understanding these differences is crucial when determining which role is best suited for a particular project, as well as when looking for a career in project management.

Project leads and project managers both have crucial roles in managing projects, but there are some key differences between them.

  1. Responsibilities: The primary difference between a project lead and a project manager is the scope of their responsibilities. A project lead is responsible for managing a specific aspect of the project or a sub-team within the project, while a project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire project from start to finish.
  2. Authority: Another difference between project leads and project managers is their level of authority. Project managers have more authority than project leads, as they have the power to make final decisions and have overall accountability for the success or failure of the project.
  3. Skillset: While both project leads and project managers require similar skill sets, there are some differences in the skills needed for each role. Project leads typically require strong technical skills in their area of expertise, such as software development or marketing, while project managers need a broader skillset, including leadership, communication, and problem-solving.
  4. Project Size: The size of the project may also determine whether a project lead or project manager is required. Smaller projects may only require a project lead, while larger and more complex projects may require a project manager to oversee multiple teams and workstreams.
  5. Experience: Project managers typically have more experience than project leads. They have often worked on several projects in different industries and have a broader understanding of project management methodologies and best practices.

In conclusion, while both project leads and project managers play important roles in project management, there are key differences between the two.

The project lead is responsible for managing a specific aspect of the project, while the project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire project. The level of authority, skillset, project size, and experience needed for each role may also differ. Understanding the differences between project leads and project managers can help organizations determine which role is best suited for their project needs and ensure project success.

What Does It Take To Be a Successful Project Lead?

project lead

Being a successful project lead requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and effective communication. Here are some key attributes and tips for becoming a successful project lead:

  1. Technical Expertise: A project lead should have a strong understanding of the technical aspects of the project and be able to provide guidance and support to the team. They should have a thorough knowledge of the tools and technologies being used and be able to anticipate potential issues and risks.
  2. Leadership Skills: A successful project lead should have strong leadership skills to motivate the team and keep them focused on the project goals. They should be able to inspire and encourage team members to work towards a common vision and keep everyone aligned with the project objectives.
  3. Effective Communication: Communication is key to the success of any project, and a project lead should be able to communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients. They should be able to clearly articulate project goals, timelines, and expectations and be able to manage conflict and provide feedback when necessary.
  4. Planning and Organization: Successful project leads should have strong planning and organizational skills to ensure that the project runs smoothly and is completed on time and within budget. They should be able to create a detailed project plan and schedule and be able to adapt to changes and unforeseen circumstances.
  5. Problem-Solving: Projects often encounter unexpected problems, and a successful project lead should be able to think creatively and find solutions to any issues that arise. They should be able to identify potential risks and develop contingency plans to mitigate them.
  6. Team Management: A successful project lead should be able to manage the team effectively, assigning tasks and responsibilities, providing support and guidance, and ensuring that team members have the resources they need to complete their work.
  7. Continuous Learning: The best project leads are always looking for ways to improve their skills and knowledge. They stay up-to-date with the latest tools and technologies and are open to feedback and suggestions from team members and stakeholders.

In conclusion, being a successful project lead requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, effective communication, planning and organization, problem-solving, team management, and continuous learning. By developing these attributes, project leads can help ensure that their projects are completed successfully and meet the needs and expectations of stakeholders and clients.

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Yemisi Iyilade


Yemisi Iyilade is a Project Management Professional, PMP and Maxwell Leadership Coach and Trainer. She has worked in the environmental, nonprofit, and technology industries, developing new products and services, providing leadership, and facilitating meaningful engagement with stakeholders. Yemisi is driven by a mission to empower young people, women, and immigrant professionals through content delivery, coaching and training. She believes that if given the right tools and tactics, any motivated person can gain the awareness and grit needed to create better opportunities.

Yemisi 

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