The project manager/functional manager partnership

The collaborative relationship between functional managers (FMs) and project and program managers (PMs) is critical to effective project performance and to the well-being of any organization. This paper defines PM and FM roles, discusses issues regarding FM/PM relations, and offers recommendations that promote collaborative relationships aimed at furthering the organization's success. There is no cookbook approach--PMs, FMs, and their management must creatively adapt project management ideas and practices to their situations. The principle issues addressed are these: stabilizing project resources, functional manager involvement in planning, project manager authority, accountability, custodianship vs. ownership of functional resources, and the functional manager's role in project performance and direction."