Program managers and project managers might sound like very similar jobs. They have similar job titles, work with similar concepts, and speak a similar workplace language. They even have similar academic and professional backgrounds (though there’s a difference in depth). But make no mistake, these two roles are as crucial as they are distinct — and those distinctions are worth understanding.
Does your sales team need project management? You may have wondered this before (or maybe it hasn’t come up). Either way, there’s a strong argument for managing sales projects just like you would any other agency deliverables. If you want to set your sales department up for big success, using traditional project management principles may be the strategy you’re looking for.
Every project is a little bit different, each with its own unique set of objectives and desired outputs. Each may also see your agency working with several different departments and points of contact as you develop the final deliverable. It’s working with those different parties that makes project integration management necessary. Without this type of management, it can be difficult to ensure that all teams communicate well and that processes flow as they should be.
For an agency, winning over new clients is only part of the journey. Once you have them, how can you make sure you keep them? (Or even more ideally, maximize those contracts’ value?) Some might think the answer is simple: Just provide excellent service, right? Not quite — although that is a critical piece of the puzzle. So, what works best?
Project managers shoulder lots of responsibility. Keeping the team productive, addressing problems, creating solutions, and fostering collaboration are all items that land on their plate. So is process management. If processes are ill-managed, the entire project pays the price. Communication can break down, accountability can decrease, errors can increase, and milestones can go unmet. If this scenario gives you indigestion, you’re not alone.
Projects have lots of moving parts that can make it difficult for agencies to create an accurate budget. But while that’s true, not having an accurate budget can result in negative consequences, like not having enough money allocated or being too optimistic and ending up missing deadlines — which can significantly impact client satisfaction.
Is your customer churn rate stopping you from growing your agency? In an industry where most agencies have a relatively small number of customers, loyalty is incredibly important. Unfortunately, there are all sorts of ways that customer experience and satisfaction can suffer. Potential causes of customer churn include poor customer service, inattention to customer needs, and a weak onboarding process.
Do you love crushing sales goals and being part of new development? Are you the type of person who wants to make a direct contribution to the agency you work for? If you answered an enthusiastic “YES” to these questions, a sales project manager position may be right up your alley. For projects to succeed, they need strong leaders to manage timelines, work well with teams, and solve problems that could impact the deliverable. This role isn’t for everybody.
Project management, whether small-scale or large-scale, is an art form. It takes a blend of knowledge, creativity, and the right tools to launch and manage a successful project effectively. Even simple projects can quickly spiral into disaster without the right planning, resources, and management. One of the best ways to assess a project’s viability, effectiveness, and efficiency is to conduct a pilot project.
The demand for project management roles is expected to grow by 6% by 2032. For busy agencies, this probably comes as no surprise; you already know just how critical PM roles are for a project’s success.
