SiteREADY project teams consist of several employees throughout the lifespan of a project – Project Managers, Infrastructure Engineers, Construction Managers, Project Coordinators, Account Managers, and Support staff. All have their responsibilities to ensure a project sees through to successful completion no matter how big or small their perceived impact.

The importance of a Project Coordinator (PC) throughout a project can often be overlooked; however, the role of a PC is essential to the project’s successful lifecycle and deadlines. There are many variations of how a project can be delivered due to the extent and differences each project has, but all will go through the following five phases and may loop between several of them multiple times during a project.

1. Initiation

‍The beginning phase of a project helps to establish a clear understanding and engagement from all parties involved. During this phase, the PC helps the Project Manager (PM) research and coordinate resources dedicated towards the particular project.

2. Planning

‍The most important phase, Planning, is when all objectives, milestones and resources are determined. During this process, the PC is responsible for scheduling labor resources (such as Security and/or Audio Visual vendors) and contractors that will execute the work involved. In addition, the PC orders and prepares materials to be used and delivered for the project and reviews documentation with the PM to move the project into the next phase.

3. Execution

‍Throughout the Execution phase, the PC focuses on the implementation of the work during the project – contractors, installers, vendors – and helps to manage delivery of milestones. In the event of a conflict, the Coordinator is responsible for escalating issues to the PM and providing resolutions or moving the project back into the Planning stage.

4. Monitoring & Control

‍The PC monitors the processes involved and measure project performance using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), scope verification, and monitoring scope creep. At this time the Coordinator helps create “Lessons Learned” documentation that can be used during future projects to help eliminate any unnecessary repetition.

5. Closeout

‍During the final stage of a project, the PC works closely with contractors, vendors and installers to finalize all processes and payments and with the PM to close out the project and send documentation over to the client.The Project Coordinator can be viewed as a tool in which if used correctly by the Project Manager, can be the difference in the deliverance and success of a project. While learning valuable skills to become a Project Manager, PC’s take on a lot of responsibility during the lifespan of a project.

To learn more about what SiteREADY’s Project Coordinators and Project Managers can do to help an organization’s project succeed, visit our Project Services page or Connect with us.

WRITTEN BY: CAMERON HICKERSON, PROJECT COORDINATOR