One of the most common questions I get from clients after conducting a strategic visioning session with their team is, "Which of these initiatives need a project manager?" I typically answer, "It depends!" But what does it depend on?

Here are 8 questions to ask to assess your need for a PM thanks to Arras People across the pond in the UK:

• Has the project been well scoped out already?
• Have the critical success factors been well defined already?
• Is the project team size less than 5?
• Is the project of relatively low value / low cost?
• Is the project timescale less than 6 months?
• Is the project low risk?
• Is the project non-business critical?
• Is there an immediate manager – project sponsor – with available time for support?

Answering 'no' to more than 2-3 of these questions should be a good indicator that in fact you do need a PM for your project. If not, then perhaps a project coordinator will do. In that case I suggest you go to  Arras People and read their post, Do you REALLY need a Project Manager?

What about you? What would you add to the list to help determine the need for a PM? Please feel free to comment in the space below.