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The Cantilever Handbook

Project Manager

Overview

Our project management methodology dictates that every client account has a “Directly Responsible Individual” who has ultimate accountability for the project. Typically, that person will also act as PM. However, sometimes a DRI will recruit a PM to work alongside them to fulfill the project. People in the Project Manager role will sometimes act as a DRI, and sometimes as a support PM alongside a separate DRI.

The PM keeps projects moving forward on schedule on budget and on scope. They do not need to be a technical expert in website design and development. However, we expect that our project managers have enough technical knowledge and experience to understand the core steps of a website project.

The PM coordinates the actions of the design or development team.

We work remotely. PMs are expected to understand the technology, tools and communication styles for working in a remote environment.

Key Responsibilities

Opening

  • Understands the client’s business and intentions with the project. Understands their requirements and how they translate into the final deliverable. (Stakeholder Register).
  • Understands the approved Scope of Work (SOW). What the project is, and what the project is not.
  • Opens the project in accordance with Cantilever opening procedures.

Planning

  • Develops or helps develop the project Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
  • Establishes project milestones for the start and end of Discovery, UX, Design, Development, QA and Launch.
  • Establishes the To-Dos on Basecamp based on the WBS for designers/developers to complete.
  • Assigns or requests team members into the project, in collaboration with the Head of Production.

Execution

  • Provides weekly updates to the client on the project, to include hours remaining.
  • Conducts weekly team huddles (1 or more per week) as part of the project execution

Monitor & Controlling

  • Develops or assists the QA Engineer with the development of the QA Checklist for each project.
  • Maintains Forecast for the project and reports to the other PMs during the weekly Forecast meeting on project schedule, cost, and team members under/over capability.
  • Controls change orders and scope creeps during the design and development process.

Closing

  • Closes the project in accordance to cantilever procedures.

Specialties

  • Basecamp
  • Notion
  • Harverst
  • Forecast
  • GitLab
  • InVision
  • 1Password
  • DigitalOcean
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Drive

Recommended Training, Education & Certifications

  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Project Management Institute Agile Certified Professional (PMI-ACP)
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • How to Build Websites, by CODEcademy
  • Workplaceless (Certified in Remote Work) by Workplaceless
  • Certified in Distributed management by Remote-How