The Differences Between an Internal and External Project Manager

• Main Author: Yamasaki Sato, Carlos Eduardo
• Publication Date: 2014
• Other Authors: Gnanaratnam, Ajantha Samuel
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Revista Gestão e Projetos (GeP)
• Download full: https://periodicos.uninove.br/gep/article/view/9592
• topic: Internal Project Manager; External Project Manager; Project Type; Project Success; Internal Project Manager; External Project Manager; Project Type; Project Success

The differences between an Internal and External Project Manager (IPM EPM) are usually overlooked in the project management literature. However these differences may have a significant importance when selecting a project manager, having possible adverse impact on the overall project performance if these differences are not properly considered. This paper elaborates a framework for the differences between an IPM and EPM and tests it against three organisations using quantitative (survey) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) research methods. The research concludes that both types of PMs should not be viewed within the same light, as they each have a different role, skillset, issue management style and project success rate. In particular, IPMs tend to deploy a more ‘reactive’, whereas EPMs tend to use a more ‘proactive’ management style. Also, moving from IPM to EPM is frequently seen as a career progression. These differences may have major implications on how project managers are selected, promoted and recruited.