HKSM
project lead
An individual who enables the team to meet project goals by coordinating and directing project work; often fulfills responsibilities similar to a project manager.
Key Points
- Guides and supports the team to achieve agreed project objectives.
- Coordinates tasks, schedules, dependencies, and resources across contributors.
- Level of authority varies by organization and may differ from a formal project manager.
- Facilitates communication, escalates issues, and keeps stakeholders aligned on progress and risks.
Example
On a software implementation, the project lead builds the release plan, aligns work across development, testing, and infrastructure, tracks progress against milestones, removes blockers by escalating environment issues, and keeps the sponsor informed of risks and impacts.
PMP Example Question
Which role primarily coordinates and directs project work to help the team achieve the project objectives, often functioning similarly to a project manager?
- Project sponsor
- Project lead
- Product owner
- Scrum master
Correct Answer: B — Project lead
Explanation: The project lead focuses on coordinating and guiding the team's work to meet project goals, a role that can overlap with project manager responsibilities.
