A few years ago I was working for a medium size semiconductor company. One of the projects I was managing had a number of unique challenges.

The project involved the development of a new semiconductor I.C from initial concept through to volume manufacture, the customer was a major Far East mobile phone manufacturer.

It was the first time we had used an external subcontract wafer fab. It was the first time that a particular package was used to encapsulate the I.C and the product itself was a new cutting edge design.

The project went very well and was brought in within 2 weeks of plan over a 9 month period and within budget.

A couple of weeks after the end of the project I was at a working lunch when a Senior Manager made the following comment:-

“That project went really well, any idea why ?”

“Perhaps it had a good Project Manager”  was my response.

I had felt a degree of pique that my efforts did not seem to have been recognised but after mulling it over I began to understand.

The Project Managers role is one of facilitaion, it is ensuring that the Team understands the goals and objectives of the project.

It is in planning the project so that everyone knows what is to be done and when.

It is in providing the appropriate tools so the tasks can be completed seamlessly.

It is in negotiation between parties to minimize disruption and conflict.

If the project is a complex machine the project manager is the oil which keeps it running smoothly towards its ultimate objective.

The machine is clear to see but unless you look closely the oil is invisible.

That’s why a good Project Manager is invisible.

chris@amberhill.biz