What Are the Four Types of Project Managers?

There is no recognised universal list of exactly four types of project managers. Employers divide the work by who the manager represents, the project phase and the level of responsibility. In construction, the following four perspectives are more useful than an arbitrary ranking.

1. Client-side project manager

This manager helps the owner define requirements, procure the project, coordinate consultants and keep decisions, cost, time and risk visible. Their authority depends on their appointment and the building contract. They might be an employee of the owner or an external consultant.

2. Builder’s project manager

This person manages the contractor’s delivery obligations: programme, subcontractors, procurement, site coordination, commercial performance and handover. The builder may have design responsibility under a design and construct contract, but that does not make the builder’s manager the owner’s representative.

3. Design manager

The design manager coordinates information from architects, engineers and specialists against the brief and programme. They track interfaces, reviews, approvals, revisions and questions. The role may sit with the owner, the lead consultant or a D&C contractor; check the reporting line and contract before assuming whose interests it serves.

4. Programme or portfolio manager

This manager looks across related projects, priorities, resources, dependencies and benefits. A university’s programme of campus works, for example, may need one view of capital approvals and operational disruption even though each building project has its own delivery manager.

Why do job titles cause confusion?

The same person may perform several of these functions on a smaller project. On a major project they may be separate teams. A contract administrator, superintendent or site manager can also have significant project responsibilities without being interchangeable with any of the four labels above.

When appointing someone, write down the deliverables, delegated authority, reporting route and interfaces. That is more useful than relying on a title. Compare the owner and builder roles for a practical example.

Sources and further reading

• Australian Institute of Architects — independent role of the project manager
• NSW Government — construction procurement contract systems