Although the terms “project management” and “project coordination” may seem interchangeable, they are very distinct concepts and require different skill sets. In this blog, we’ll explore what project management and project coordination involve and the differences between them.
What Is Project Management?
Project management is the process of leading, organizing, planning, and controlling resources, timelines, budgets, and tasks to achieve specific project objectives.
Project managers use various tools, methodologies, and techniques to ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget according to the initial requirements.
Project Managers are typically engaged from the inception to the completion of a project and their responsibilities include setting project plans, identifying the scope of the project, determining stakeholders, communicating with the team, evaluating risks, reviewing project deliverables, and ensuring that the project meets the client’s expectations.
What Is Project Coordination?
Project coordination, on the other hand, is the process of organizing, facilitating, and executing tasks and activities within a project. In some cases, they may also communicate with team members and stakeholders.
While project coordinators lack the authority to assign tasks, they monitor the progression of tasks to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Project coordinators usually come in when the project is already underway, and they are responsible for keeping it on track, ensuring budgets, schedules, and plans are observed.
Project Management vs Project Coordination: Key Differences
Although project management and project coordination share some similarities, they differ in some important ways.
First off, project management is a more comprehensive process that involves overseeing the project from the initial conceptualization through execution, delivery, and closing.
Project coordination, on the other hand, usually takes place after the project is underway, ensuring it remains on task, budget, and schedule during specific phases.
Another important difference is that project managers have the authority to assign tasks and allocate resources while project coordinators usually lack this kind of authority.
Lastly, project managers usually have higher-level decision-making authority, while project coordinators usually provide support in the decision-making process.
About Darnell Technical
Darnell Technical Services is an engineering design firm with extensive experience in a vast array of projects. Our headquarters are located in Santa Ana, California, and we have an office in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Contact us today by telephone (714-285-0082 (CA), 702-945-2899 (NV)) or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to learn more about all the technical instruments and materials we put at your disposal.