Frank Patrick

PM Link: Value of Project Managers

A study reported in The Economist suggests that a case could be made for value in game software revenues that’s more attributable to project managers (producers in the game world) than designers.

…some 30% of differences in revenue between games could be attributed to the producer and the designer alone; and that the lion’s share of this variation was due to the producer. The boring project manager, in other words, meant more to the success or failure of the project than did the flashy designer. Moreover, the effect seemed to persist even as the individuals moved on to other projects, so more than one game could benefit from the same competent producer.

This makes sense in a business that thrives on time-to-market. Get the game into the stores sooner, and you get more time to sell it before competition arrives. And who keeps the design/development projects moving? Project Managers.

…having a thoughtful producer on board, able to curb (or indulge) the designer’s wilder impulses and make sure that deadlines are met. Rather than being interchangeable, suggests the research, managers, and their talents, matter a great deal to the success or failure of their projects.

Of course a creative game design attracts customers. Of course quality development assures desirable game play. But a few more weeks, or months, in the market, an effective producer project manager provides more opportunity for earlier revenues. If revenues are linked to product launches, then time-to-market, shepherded by your PM, is key to achieving your goals. [linkage via Scott Berkun]

In other environments - interactive agencies, for instance - in addition to the contribution to the top line from timely delivery, project managers are also instrumental in predicting costs, which, in the hands of smart management, informs pricing of services and assures company profitability.