In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, it’s important to think about what career is sustainable and what role makes sense. Will it be a leader? Is it more about being an individual contributor? They both matter and contribute to the success of an organization, but they have different responsibilities. What if there was a third role that was a hybrid between them? Let’s talk about the difference between a project manager and an individual contributor.
Responsibilities of a Project Manager
Project managers lead and manage cross-functional teams to accomplish project goals. Among their responsibilities are:
1. Setting goals, scoping, and deliverables: Project managers work closely with clients, stakeholders, and team members. They also create timelines, budgets, and resources for projects.
2. Team management: Project managers make sure everyone is communicating and coordinating. They make sure everyone is on the same page, motivated, and working towards success. The team also deals with any problems or conflicts that arise.
3. Risk management: Project managers identify risks and come up with strategies to mitigate or minimize them. They make contingency plans and escalate issues as needed.
4. Communication and stakeholder management: Project managers are the first point of contact for clients, stakeholders, and team members. The team communicates project updates, progress, and any problems. Besides managing stakeholder relationships, they escalate problems to higher-ups.
5. Monitoring: The project manager monitors the progress of the project, tracks key performance indicators (KPIs), and makes sure the budget stays within reason. Stakeholders get updates on the project from them through status reports.
Responsibilities of an Individual Contributor
Individual contributors, also called team members, work directly on project activities and deliver specific deliverables. Some of their responsibilities include:
1. Task Execution: Every contributor carries out their tasks within the scope of the project. In addition to working with other team members, they gather information and contribute their expertise.
2. Quality Assurance: Participants are responsible for making sure their work is accurate and of high quality. They may review, audit, and test to make sure standards and requirements are met.
3. Continual Improvement: Contributing to the success of the project is everyone’s job. They’re always looking for feedback and learning from their experiences.
4. Teamwork: Individuals share ideas, information, and best practices with other team members. They communicate regularly, get help when needed, and contribute their expertise.
Key Differences
While project managers and individual contributors both play a role in a project’s success, their responsibilities are different. The two roles differ in a few ways:
- Leadership: Project managers guide and motivate their teams. As the team leader, they set the direction, make decisions, and provide guidance. In contrast, individual contributors work on their own tasks.
- Scope and complexity: Project managers deal with complex projects that need coordination, communication, and problem-solving. They have to deal with multiple stakeholders, risks, and deadlines. Each individual contributes to a project within a specific scope.
- Communication and collaboration: Project managers coordinate and communicate with teams and stakeholders. While individual contributors work with other team members, they mostly talk to each other.
- Decision-making: Project managers make strategic decisions about project scope, timelines, and resources. In addition to assessing risks, they weigh options and come up with recommendations for moving the project forward. Contributors focus on completing their tasks and making operational decisions.
- Skills and Expertise: Project managers are strong leaders, communicators, and problem-solvers. They might also know the work at a high-level and are able to relay it to others. Contributors each have specialized skills and expertise.
A Mix of PM and Individual Contributor
Rather than changing careers, especially if you’re a mid-manager, try creating a hybrid role where you lead a team, do the work using your skills, and let the project manager handle the rest. Several of my colleagues are Cloud Solutions Architects, and they’re people managers as well as technical leaders. They also serve as mentors to other team members.
If you love project management, but want to focus on an area of expertise, consider moving in that direction. It’s the same in reverse. If you are an individual contributor and want to lead a team, go for it.
Successful projects require both project managers and individual contributors. While project managers lead and manage cross-functional teams, individual contributors work on specific tasks and contribute to the project’s goals. Projects can’t get done without each role. Make a pros and cons list and take personality tests to figure out what kind of job is right for you.
