--- title: "Effective versus ineffective project managers" subject: "ICT Project Management" chapter: 2 key: "semester_7/ict_project_management:effective-ineffective-managers" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/effective-ineffective-managers site: BCT Engineering --- # Effective versus ineffective project managers ICT Project Management · Chapter 2: Project Management Body of Knowledge - Asked in: year not given - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/ict_project_management/effective-ineffective-managers - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/ict_project_management/chapter-2 ## Question Differentiate effective and ineffective project managers. ## Short answer Effective managers lead by example, plan clearly, communicate openly, build trust, delegate properly, decide timely, handle conflict, anticipate risk, control progress, inform stakeholders, manage change and learn lessons. Ineffective managers lack these qualities, causing delays, cost overruns and unhappy stakeholders. ## Answer An **effective** project manager gets results through people while balancing scope, time, cost and quality. An **ineffective** manager fails to guide the team or satisfy stakeholders, leading to delays, conflict and cost overruns. | Basis | Effective manager | Ineffective manager | |---|---|---| | Leadership | Leads by example, gives vision | Only gives orders or avoids leading | | Planning | Prepares clear, realistic plans | Starts work without a proper plan | | Communication | Open, regular, two-way | Poor, one-way or late | | Team relations | Builds trust, motivates, develops people | Blames others, ignores team opinions | | Delegation | Delegates by skill, follows up | Does everything alone or delegates blindly | | Decision making | Timely, based on facts | Delays or decides emotionally | | Conflict handling | Resolves through problem solving | Avoids or escalates conflicts | | Risk | Anticipates and prepares | Reacts after problems occur | | Control | Tracks progress, takes corrective action | Notices delays too late | | Stakeholders | Keeps customers and sponsor informed | Surprises stakeholders | | Change | Manages change formally | Accepts or ignores changes carelessly | | Learning | Records lessons learned | Repeats mistakes | | Results | Delivers on time, within budget, with quality | Late, over budget, unhappy customer | #### Qualities of effective managers (Schwalbe) - Lead by example, are visionaries, are technically competent, are decisive, are good communicators and motivators, stand up to top management when necessary, support team members and encourage new ideas. #### Qualities of ineffective managers (Schwalbe) - Set bad examples, are not self-assured, lack technical expertise, are poor communicators and are poor motivators. Micromanaging and failing to take responsibility are also common signs. **Example:** When a module slips by two weeks, an effective manager analyses the cause, adjusts the plan and informs the client; an ineffective one hides the delay until the deadline. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. How does an effective manager communicate? A. One-way and late B. Open, regular and two-way C. Only when problems appear D. Only in writing to the sponsor Answer: B. Effective managers keep communication open, regular and two-way. (Key point: Communication) 2. On risk, an effective manager: A. Reacts after problems occur B. Ignores uncertainty C. Anticipates and prepares D. Blames the team Answer: C. Ineffective managers react afterwards; effective ones anticipate. (Key point: Risk handling) 3. A module slips by two weeks. What does an effective manager do? A. Hides the delay until the deadline B. Analyses the cause, adjusts the plan and informs the client C. Blames the developer D. Ignores it Answer: B. Effective managers analyse, replan and keep stakeholders informed. (Key point: Handling a delay) 4. Which is a quality of an ineffective manager? A. Leads by example B. Builds relationships C. Micromanaging and failing to take responsibility D. Stands up for the team Answer: C. Micromanaging, poor listening and avoiding responsibility mark ineffective managers. (Key point: Ineffective traits) ## Related in ICT Project Management - [Project versus operational work](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-vs-operations) — ICT Project Management, chapter 1 - [Product versus project life cycle](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproduct-vs-project-life-cycle) — ICT Project Management, chapter 4 - [Project scope versus product scope](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-vs-product-scope) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7 - [Project cost versus product cost](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aproject-vs-product-cost) — ICT Project Management, chapter 9 - [Organizing and conducting effective meetings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aeffective-meetings) — ICT Project Management, chapter 11 - [Qualitative versus quantitative risk analysis](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Aqualitative-vs-quantitative-risk) — ICT Project Management, chapter 12 ## Related in other subjects - [Goal versus objective of a project](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Agoal-vs-objective-example) — Project Engineering, chapter 1 - [Project characteristics versus permanent systems](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Acharacteristics-vs-permanent-systems) — Project Engineering, chapter 1 - [Differentiate quality control and assurance](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aqa-vs-qc-differentiate) — Project Engineering, chapter 4 - [Nominal and effective rate for perpetual withdrawals](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fengineering_economics%3Anominal-effective-perpetual-withdrawal-1000) — Engineering Economics, chapter 2