In many architecture and engineering firms, the technical staff have matrix assignments to a project manager for a specific project but are assigned directly to a department head or principal for performance reviews, salary increases, etc.

As a result, the staff members may not have sufficient incentive to be as responsive to the project manager as they are to their department managers. This problem should not be allowed to continue, and it can be virtually eliminated by:

• The PM offering to provide written input to be included in each team member’s HR file and used by the employee’s supervisor during their normal performance reviews, and

• If the supervisor agrees, the PM should advise every team member of this policy.

Not only will this method assist the project manager in supervising the project team, but it will also provide department managers and principals with valuable input from the individuals who are most familiar with the performance of the technical staff.

Project Team Leadership is just one of the numerious topics covered in PSMJ's recently released series of e-learning project management training courses for new and seasoned A/E/C project managers.

 You also might be interested in these project management-related blog posts:

4 Essential Project Management Tips for A/E Professionals

10 Tips for Effective Project Management with BIM