How our project managers shape your journey with Buzz
Effective project management is one of the key ways we make sure our bespoke software solutions deliver every time for our clients – from managing deadlines and setting realistic expectations to reducing any blockers along the way.
Here, our senior project manager, Danielle McGowan, talks all things project management (and why it’s such a valuable part of our service here at Buzz!).
What is the purpose of the project manager at Buzz Interactive?
Project management is about building strong relationships both internally and externally. For clients, it provides a single point of contact, ensuring a smooth process with less chance for miscommunication. Internally, it means developers can keep focus on doing what they do best, while there’s always someone on hand to keep the clients informed.
Most importantly, it allows us to talk to clients at a technical level they’re comfortable with, providing clarity on technical aspects of the project to ensure everyone has the same understanding.
What do you think the main benefits are of having a dedicated project manager?
A dedicated project manager means having that someone who is always available to update you on the project's progress, eliminating any uncertainty along the way.
Without one, communication gaps can arise during development, leading to a final product that doesn’t align with your vision. By providing regular updates and maintaining a continuous feedback loop, we can ensure transparency and prevent blockers, helping us deliver value early on.
It’s also an ability to step into the client's shoes. As a project manager, I can step back from the in-depth development, and can anticipate necessary changes from their perspective, saving time in the long run for both sides.
Plus, when it comes to crisis management, I can help prioritise tasks, ensuring critical issues are addressed quickly without getting lost in the noise. Being an agile team allows me to move development tasks around in order to prioritise a bug fix or last-minute additional feature and get it out to the client as quickly and efficiently as possible.
We have some long-standing clients at Buzz that have been working with us for more than a decade, and we feel we are an extension to their existing in-house development teams. We add value by alleviating the pressure and fast-tracking the more complex projects that can be pulled seamlessly into their own development ecosystems. In this way, a dedicated project manager allows us to bridge the gaps between teams, and make sure everyone has everything they need at the right time.
What can a client expect after their first initial contact with a project manager?
When a potential client contacts us, we always start by following up with an initial meet-and-greet. This can either be via video call or face-to-face at our studio in Newquay. I think it’s really important for the client to also meet early on with the development team who will be working on the project, so, I usually bring one or two of the developers with me.
This call is really focused on hearing more about the project, getting a feel for each other, and hearing the brief in their own words. We can make sure the expectations are right and that deadlines are achievable. It’s a two-way thing, where we can check the project they want is viable, and that we will be comfortable working together.
Once the project is agreed, we then move clients into our Discovery Phase (this is my favourite part, as we really get to know each other and the team always comes up with great questions). From here, we can start to visualise how the new system is going to work.
You can read more about the Discovery Phase, and the wider journey, here.
How often can a client expect to hear from a project manager?
Once a project is underway, we’ll generally be in contact with the client around once a week, but, really, it can be as little or as much as the client wants and what suits their needs. For some, depending on the size of the project, this could be almost daily.
However, it’s more likely that we’ll be delivering a new feature or release every couple of weeks, which makes this a good time for the team and client to regroup (here, we’ll often demo or share a presentation of the new feature).
What is a typical day like for a project manager?
My day will normally start by reviewing our latest client requests with the team, whether it’s new costings or crisis management, to make sure our jobs are being prioritised properly. We’ll then jump into the full Buzz stand-up call before we break down into our smaller teams to plan the full day.
From there, my day will really vary – I might have meet-and-greet calls planned in, check-ins with current clients, or catch-ups with team leads. Or it could be that I’m facilitating walk-throughs for designs, participating in Discovery Sessions, or translating technical information back to a client.
I also spend time preparing proposal documents to help clients get a feel for the investment required for their project. Part of this might be supporting in the creation of bid and funding proposals, too, where they may need to know about things like road-mapping and mile-stoning projects, or need to provide credentials (such as our ISO27001 accreditation).
Most importantly, I’m on hand to make sure the team is free from blockers, have all the information or documents they need, and can get on with doing what they do best.
What are some of the challenges clients can face – and how does a project manager help with this?
I think, for some clients, the biggest challenge is understanding and appreciating the complexity – or even the simplicity – of what they need. They may approach us with an idea for an app, but, once they’ve been through the Discovery Phase, realise a website is more suitable for their needs.
By breaking down their needs and really understanding their vision, we can tease out their exact requirements. My job is to make sure they can understand their brief from a technical perspective, so they come out of the discovery knowing exactly what’s required and how it’s all going to come together.
Why is project management not charged for at Buzz?
We don’t charge extra for project management at Buzz because we see it as an integral part of the client journey, and it makes up a key part of success through the wider development process.
While some businesses charge additional fees for project management, for us, it’s a vital element to the work we do, and it’s something we feel every client should reap the benefits of. It’s not just a ‘nice to have’ – it’s what makes our service at Buzz stand out, because it means we’re ditching (as far as possible) chances for miscommunication, keeping clients informed every step of the way, and leaving our developers to do what they do best.
Finally, what makes a good project manager?
The key is having the ability to set expectations. Some project managers might say yes to everything, even, for example, to deadlines that are not going to be possible to meet. A good project manager will work with the client to help them be pragmatic in their approach to the project, in a way that is achievable for everyone.
Often, we’ll put ourselves in the client’s shoes, and try to really understand their business and the value they actually need (and not just what they think they need). If a client approaches us with something that’s unrealistic to their budget, I will be honest about it and help them scale their ideas without shattering their dreams. After all, we want to deliver software we're proud of and that excites us. Otherwise, what's the point?
I think the other part of it really boils down to relationship building. By being transparent and building trust, our clients know that we always have their best interests in mind.
Want to know more about our approach to project management? Head here, or book an initial call with our team.
