Who Is a Project Management Consultant? An Overview

A project management consultant brings specialized knowledge and skills that empower businesses to make informed decisions throughout the lifecycle of a project, from the planning stage to completion.

Project management consultants are not only responsible for implementing project management plans for the successful execution of projects, but they are also accountable for delivering projects on time, within the budget and resources allocated.

Besides putting a project management strategy in place, managing budgets, and utilizing resources efficiently, the project management consultant role also includes several other factors, such as monitoring the project management team, coordinating with key stakeholders, identifying project risks, and developing innovative solutions that help achieve organizational goals.

Typically, a project management consultant analyzes business-critical data to identify inefficiencies and trends in projects, which prevents issues from arising, enabling seamless project execution. Creating and implementing contingency plans, defining roadmaps, and providing periodic recommendations are also common tasks that fall under the project management consultant role.

The Job Description of a Project Management Consultant 

A project management consultant must have adequate knowledge of the tools and techniques needed to execute projects efficiently and cost-effectively. In addition to planning, organizing, delegating, influencing, and leading the project management team, other crucial responsibilities of a project management consultant include:

• Getting familiar with the client's business environment in order to lead projects effectively
• Coordinating with relevant stakeholders, both inside and outside the organization
• Allocating tasks to the project management team and providing regular guidance to team members
• Ensuring the scope and schedule of projects are achievable within the given time and budget
• Undertaking periodic reviews to make sure that projects are on track
• Updating project documentations on a consistent basis and conveying them to the management
• Developing positive relationships with associates and clients
• Defining the structure of a project, its goals, and resource requirements
• Applying theoretical, managerial, and technical skills to fulfill identified objectives and deliverables
• Implementing a solid project management strategy for task interdependency
• Consulting issues associated with a project with the project management team, clients, and other interested parties
• Managing project risks, contingency and mitigation plans
• Maintaining high team performance and productivity