Question

1) What constraints are placed on you within your role in the project in terms of the following:
a. Limits of authority
b. Organisational policies and procedures
c. Prescribed decision escalation?

Subject - Project Management

Answer 1

1. I work as the project manager in an MNC. The constraints which are placed on my role in terms of the following, are as stated:

· Limits of Authority: The project functionality is within my control. However the project completion time and budget constraints are not under my authority. The project team develops the work breakdown structure and as per the availability of resources, proposes the project time schedule. The project owner discusses the same with the customer but the final say on the project timelines comes from the customer. The project budget is usually approved by the finance department of the company and acts as a constraint on my role.

· Organizational policies and procedures: The organizational policies and procedures have been developed by the strategy team of the company. As a project manager, I may suggest improvements and revisions in the same. However the final approval and integration of the same is decided by the top management as well as the strategy team of the company.

· Prescribed decision escalation: In the project that I lead, I usually pose as the second highest level of escalation. However the highest level escalation approver is usually the project owner, i.e. my boss or my boss’ boss.