There are two very important roles when it comes to managing a project: a project manager (PM) and a project coordinator (PCr). Each role has different responsibilities, but both are crucial to project success. This blog will focus on the role of the PCr. 

Projects may be very disorganized without project coordinators. Documentation and communication could suffer. Project coordinators function like a back-end system processing – they may not be as visible as project leaders but without them, the project lifecycle would not successfully work.

 A project manager is responsible for ensuring that the project scope is met within budget and timelines. A PM is seen as a leader to ensure that all project objectives, deliverables, and tasks are met and may play a role in establishing the strategic vision of a project, whereas a project coordinator helps support the success of executing the strategic vision of that project.

The project coordinator assists the project manager in ensuring that the project runs smoothly and efficiently. Project coordinators primarily help with administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, scribing meetings, managing action items, and other project artifacts. Project coordinators help the project manager and other project team members achieve the project objectives.

Essentially, the PCr is the eyes and ears of any project—the glue that holds everything together. They ensure that communication is clearly documented and disseminated to stakeholders, including action items and key decisions. PCrs assist in other administrative tasks such as scheduling meetings, stakeholder participation management, securing proper equipment for meetings, etc. They ensure that communication is clearly documented and disseminated to stakeholders, including action items and key decisions.

Project coordinators should have excellent communication and attention to detail. They adapt and learn to anticipate project team members’ needs without asking. They are also dependable and trustworthy. Overall, my ideal project coordinator is working alongside me as my right hand. They should have the drive to understand the following:

  • Intricacies of the project
  • Overall purpose and outcomes of the project 
  • Roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders

For example, on a recent project of mine, the project coordinator scribed a highly technical meeting and managed action items. She facilitates valuable discussions amongst the client and vendors to progress various activities. The client and vendors truly appreciate her attention to detail and organization leading their action item deliverables. 

Want to learn more about project management? 

Check out netlogx’ project and program management services or request a consultation to see how we can help give you the power to manage your business rather than your business managing you.

Learn what it looks like to be a project coordinator and how the role impacts a project by downloading our project coordinator guide.