Abstract

Project managers have a unique position in that they are often both the right hand of the coordinator and the organization’s guarding mechanism to avoid mismanagement of funds. They are the expert on the funder’s regulations and requirements, and responsible for a lot of the work to make a project run – but have no decision making power. That puts them in a difficult place when coordinators drop the ball – whether by ignoring the PM’s recommendations on the rules, not showing up to do their part, or just avoiding hard decisions. When interests of the coordinator, organization, project and funder clash… we are in the middle.

As the post-award RMA field matures, we need to start talking about how to support PMs in balancing these interests. How can organisations and RSOs support project managers in maintaining boundaries and containing risk? What has helped you in the past – or made it more difficult?