2. Understand the project structure, its dynamics and efficiency

As each of the two forms of coordination (horizontal and vertical) is dependent on the other, the management of operations involves a constant search for compromises between efficiency (productivity) and effectiveness (quality of target achievement), which can only result from very close collaboration between the people vested with these two responsibilities.

Each business (functional) manager is responsible for acting as integrator vis-à-vis the project managers, who mobilize the department's resources.

Coordination is essential between these two entities, so when the functional manager identifies a risk of non-compliance with assigned objectives, he or she must call a meeting to seek an acceptable compromise leading to a consensus on the need for arbitration at a higher level.

Each project manager is responsible...