The Leader's role in projects, programs and portfolios
Contents |
Abstract
This article analyses the role of the leader in projects, programs and portfolios. It takes a closer look at how the role changes through the three diffeerent categories and how to be a good leader in the respective categories. Since a leaders work most with people it could be assumed that most leadership is on the project level. However, leaders are also needed at program and portfolio level. Here it is more a case of "leading leaders" than just leading the ordinary workers. This requires different skills and focuses even though the basic remains the same.
WHY IS THIS RELEVANT!!!!
Leaders and managers
Contrsats and similarities
"The person in charge" is often rferred to as both a manager and leader. This can lead to the thinking that managing and leading is the same thing. This is, however, not the case. Following i a description of the leader and mangaer roles.
| Manager | Leader |
|---|---|
| Technical | Visionary |
| Plans | Inspires |
| Focuses on system | Focues on people |
| Has authority | Has influence |
| Asks how and when | Asks why |
| Knows how it's done | Shows how it's done |
| Says "I" | Says "we" |
| Does things right | Does the right things |
Leadership tools and competences
Working with a team
The leaders' goal can be summurized in one sentence; to deliver results through others. [1] To achive through others the leader is very dependent on the team. Therefore the first important skill for a leader is to make his team. The leader has to find members whose personalities compliment each other but who can work together at the same time. There are many tools that can be used to help in this process, one is the Belbin's teamroles. This tool has ine different roles that often emerges in group work and through a test will show the participant which roles he/she are most suited for. Using this tool the leader can find teammates that compliment each other and make an effektive team.
When the team is made the process of delivering through others begin.
Leader core competences
Size does not matter, the core competences are the same.
Projects, programs and portfolios
Projects and leadership
Project definition
The projecet is a onetime change oriented assignment. It is something that falls outside the normal routines of the organisation. To handle this the organisation often sets up a group to handle the assignment. The group is often comprised of memembers from different places in the organisation since the assinment often affects more than just one area in the organisation.
A project has a concrete fram. It has a set timelimit and a limit amount of resources. The project focuses on delivering the agreed on "product" within the limits given. [2]
The leaders role in projects
Small projects are often done by groups therefore the leader of a project is found as the leader of the group. for big projects or super projects where more than 100 or even 1000 of people work in it the leader is the person in carge of the project and has more interaction with the leaders of different areas in the project.
The role of the leader then is dependent on the size of the operation. If it is a small project it is possible for the leader to meet all the involved people and be a leader to them. In a big project the leader's role becomes more that of a leader of leaders. According to figure 1 a leader will spend more time managing in super project.
practical applications
Programs and leadership
Program definition
A program is a collection of projects that share a common goal. The projects in a program will together fulfill the goal that was set from the start. Often are the projects in a program of similar type or they support each other, therefore they are also dependent on each other. This could be the case for some projects that can first start when others are done. The entire Program can, however, finish without all the projects in it being a succes. This is possible as long as the overarging gaol of the program has been achievet. The program as an end end term and when that is reach it is done. [2]
The leaders role in programs
The program is lead by a program group that focuses on the goal for the program. This group can be comprised in defferent ways. For small programs it could be just a leader for the program working with all the program leaders and forming a team with the. For big programs it is better to have a program group that all focus on the end goal. If it is a program with many big projects there is not a single project leader but often a project group in these cases it is often a big program so there is also a program group.
Practical applications
Portfolios and leadership
Portfolio definition
A portfolio is the combination of all the different projects and programs in the organisation. The portfolio does not have a goal as the program has. It is just where all the projects and programs can be found. The portfolio does not have en end term but continues as long as the organisation cintinues. The portfolio gives an imidiate picture of all the projects and programs of the organisation. The advantage of a portfolio is that it can help allocate the right resources to the right projecst and programs at the right time. It helps manage everything.
The leaders role in portfolios
The portfolio is often lead by a group of top managers in the organisation. The leader of this group is often the CEO or the CTO. Since it is impossible to get to every single person working in every project and program the leadership role here is manily in the group of ttop managers. if it is a small portfolio the leader may also have contact with the project and program leaders.
