Whether upgrading your existing IT infrastructure, expanding your current operations into additional buildings or laying foundations for a new premises, your project manager plays a vital role.
But what can you expect from your project manager?
An extension of your team
Your project manager is responsible for the planning, execution, monitoring and completion for your IT infrastructure. However, the success of the project is reliant upon your project manager becoming integrated into your organisation. Think of them as an extended arm
to your business and support for your existing IT team.
An understanding of your business
The first step of any IT infrastructure project, no matter the scale, is to identify and understand the business need and the budget. How will your new or improved infrastructure benefit your business? What return on investment do you hope to see?
Business objectives could be anything from improved employee productivity, establishing smart offices and opportunities for anywhere working, heightened customer experience, improved data compliance or increased site security. Your project manager will also take the time to assess your current infrastructure and processes – its successes and frustrations – and offer scalable solutions for future growth.
Meticulous planning
Meticulous planning is the key to the success of your project. At DataLan, our project managers will undergo floor walks of premises for cabling, connectivity and power. We will also carry out an inventory of existing equipment and infrastructure to determine what can be repurposed/relocated or needs to be replaced. You will then receive a detailed plan of the project, with risk assessments, health and safety assessments, timeframes, number of
employees, equipment and length of cabling required fully explained. Key dates and deadlines are also detailed to ensure the project maintains momentum and remains on track.
Excellent communication
Your project manager is an expert communicator. They are responsible for communicating the plan of action, key dates and deadlines, and progress reports to the primary point of contact in your organisation, but also to disseminate information to internal contractors and other third-party service providers. An essential skill of any communicator is to also be an excellent listener. In addition to issuing updates and information, your project manager will be receptive to feedback, ensuring opinions and concerns are addressed. Finally, your project manager can also support you in communicating the purpose and progress of your IT infrastructure project to your employees and your external stakeholders to ensure everyone is on board and feels kept in the loop.
Problem-solving and solution finding
Every project contains an element of risk. Experience and thorough planning will limit the level of risk associated with a project; however, unforeseen issues do occur. The skills of the project manager is to react effectively to these issues, offering practical and cost-effective solutions, while remaining conscious of adhering to the business objectives, budgets and timeframes. If you’re planning an expansion, a relocation or opening a new premises, contact us to discuss your requirements with one of our experienced team. We’re here to help.