The Difference Between Project Management and Project Coordination

Project management is a popular job title and career, but the title is often given out without understanding the role. Finding the right person for the job is getting more challenging because many claim they're project managers when they don't know what the role entails.

The truth is that there are different types of project managers, and not all of them have experience with every aspect of this role. That's why it's essential to know the difference between project coordination and management before deciding which type of professional you need help from on your next project!

Summary of Differences. Project managers are responsible for the entire process, while project coordinators are responsible for the day-to-day tasks. In a nutshell, this means that project managers set a long-term vision and direction for their projects. On the other hand, project coordinators focus on day-to-day activities, making sure they happen according to plan and within budget.

As an example, some organizations do not form project teams where the teams plan together. In this case, the functional managers may develop the schedule and hand it off to project coordinators, who ensure it is followed. In this scenario, the functional managers are often responsible for procurement, budgets, and quality. The project coordinator ensures that the day-to-day tasks for these areas are done.

Project managers are also accountable if something goes wrong during a project—but as far as project coordinators go? They're only responsible if they fail to complete their assigned task or miss an important deadline. Of course, there's always room for error in projects, but it's essential to know your role to do all you can within it!

What is project management? Project management is initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing the work of a team to achieve specific goals. Project managers ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. It's also important to note that project managers don't always have direct control over their team—the people they manage may report directly to someone else in the organization or agency (for example: if you're working on a university research project).

Project managers must communicate clearly with all departments involved to keep them informed about the progress made on their respective tasks. They also need to oversee financial operations and quality control, so your project doesn't fall behind schedule due to faulty products or services being delivered at critical points along its development cycle.

What is project coordination? Project coordination is the process of managing and facilitating the flow of information between all project stakeholders. This process usually involves coordinating with other departments to ensure their needs, deadlines, and resources are met by the project team.

Project coordinators are responsible for balancing various interests and demands to manage timelines and budgets while ensuring quality control. They also perform tasks such as identifying obstacles during project execution, communicating those obstacles to appropriate parties, proposing necessary solutions, and overseeing their implementation.

What is a project manager? A project manager is responsible for ensuring that a project is completed successfully. As leaders and managers, they need to make sure the goals of a project are met—both within budget and on time. They are responsible for all project aspects, including planning, execution, and closure. A good project manager can manage resources effectively and communicate with stakeholders so that everyone knows what’s going on at every step.

What is a project coordinator? A project coordinator is a type of project leader responsible for coordinating the activities of all stakeholders involved in a given project. This might include ensuring everyone on the team knows what they need to do, where they need to be, and when they need to be there. They also manage communications between team members and stakeholders; this includes keeping everyone in the loop about the progress toward meeting your goals and any changes that may occur during your process. The coordinator also documents everything during a project, so it is possible to refer back to notes later if necessary.

Both project management and coordination are vital to the success of any project, but there's a big difference between them.