Project managers focus on the goals of the project. However, the project manager might head the $10,000 project that the operations manager solicited to improve the work process of the organization. The project manager of a one-year project could not generate the savings to justify this kind of process improvement and would not invest resources to explore this type of savings. Over a five-year period, the operations manager improved the profitability of the operations by $5,000 and will continue to save $3,000 every year. Operations managers are long-term focused and oriented toward continuous improvement of existing processes over longer periods of time.Īn operations manager may invest $10,000 to improve a work process that saves $3,000 a year. They search for and nurture team members who will “fit in” and that contribute to both the effectiveness of the team and the team culture.
Operations managers create a culture which focuses on the long-term health of the organization and build teams over time to standardize and improve work processes. Often, specific projects are undertaken to improve their overall operational processes. Operations managers are process focused, oriented toward capturing and standardizing improvement to work processes and creating an organizational culture focused on the long-term goals of the organization. Operations managers analyze work processes and explore opportunities to make improvements. More effective work processes will produce a better product or service, and a more efficient work process will reduce costs. For our purposes, each of these managers would be deemed the “operations manager”. Typically, managers of economic organizations focus on maximizing profits and stockholder value leaders of socio-religious organizations focus on effective and efficient delivery of a service to a community or constituency and governmental managers are focused on meeting goals established by government leaders. All operations managers are charged with efficiently and effectively achieving the purpose of the organization. One way to improve understanding of project management is to contrast project management with operations management. The unique and temporary nature of projects creates a work environment that mandates a different management approach from that used by an operations manager. A project manager must master the skills that are necessary to be successful in this environment. Planning is vital, but the ability to adapt to changes and work with people to overcome challenges is just as necessary. Each project team is a group of individuals who needs motivation and coordination. Often the difference between the project that succeeds and the project that fails is the leadership of the project manager.