Project manager

The project manager is in charge of and coordinates the underlying project giving rise to the need for “change management.” The project manager is the focal point for outside view of and into the project. (S)He manages budget and schedule, and reports on both to the sponsor and other interested executives. All project artefacts are directed by and (should be) funneled through the project manager. Depending on the size of the project, the project manager may perform directly or have supporting cast to monitor budget, scheduling, and so forth.

Usually the project manager is assumed to be the leader of the project and therefore the leader of the change. This can be true if the named project manager is, in fact, also on the hook for the underlying change. This would make the person the “project leader.” While the two roles can be acted out by the same person, that (role of project leader) is a different beast altogether.