These days I often get asked ‘what exactly is the role of a pharmaceutical project manager’?
Pharmaceutical project managers oversee drug development from start to finish. Their general responsibilities overlap with those of project managers in other industries. For instance, they identify any technical requirements, set timelines and budgets, oversee other team members and create reports. However, nothing is guaranteed in the complex manufacturing process, and often, the best-laid plans need to be changed because of the nature of working with chemicals/biologicals. Moreover, if the risks associated with the uncertainties are not managed in a timely and effective manner, the complexity of the situation increases dramatically and it subsequently becomes a longer, costlier project. While changes are inevitable, it is natural that the stakeholders may internally or externally resist implementing a change. Creating an environment that embraces change is key in managing the stakeholders.
The project manager has to continually evolve his or her style of approach in interacting with the stakeholders. Managing cultural differences within the team, within the host businesses, and on the customer side is a challenge that the project manager encounters regularly. Customer management adds another layer of challenges in managing projects that involve intercompany collaboration and contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs). Ineffective management of the customer needs can yield scope creeps, increasing the project budget and causing delays.
In other words, in the Pharma world a good project manager has a solid scientific background with experience in the pharmaceutical industry, but also needs to be good in dealing with the business side of the project. A complex combination of technical and soft skills for a critical role, rich of challenges but also of fun.
Look into our course for Project Management if you want to know more.
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