Project management is at the heart of ensuring successful projects that deliver results on time, within budget and within the set goals. But what do you do when your company lacks the necessary resources or skills internally?

This is where external project management comes in. Instead of hiring a permanent project manager, you can choose to hire an external project manager for specific projects. This can provide the company with a number of benefits, which will be discussed further below.

What is external project management

External project management involves hiring a project manager from an external source, often via a consultancy, who works on-demand or for a limited period of time. The external project manager typically has specialized skills and experience from various industries, which can be brought directly into the company. There is no long-term commitment to employment, but instead a flexible solution that can be adapted to the needs of the company and the duration of the project.

Advantages of external project management

1. Flexibility and scalability
   External project management provides enormous flexibility. You can quickly adapt the resources depending on the size and needs of the project. This is ideal if your business has fluctuating project requirements or if you experience a temporary peak demand.
2. Specialized competence and experience
   External project managers often bring in-depth experience from different sectors and project environments. They have seen many different types of challenges and solutions, and can quickly adapt and adapt their experience to your project. This means that your company has access to the latest knowledge and best practices in project management. This means that it does not require an investment in extensive training of internal employees.
3. Reduction of recruitment costs and time
   Hiring a full-time project manager requires both time and resources. With external project management, you avoid the long recruitment processes and high costs associated with permanent positions. This makes it possible to respond more quickly to project needs, as an external project manager can often start at short notice.
4. Objectivity and new perspectives
   An external project manager brings objectivity and fresh perspectives to the company. They are not influenced by internal political agendas and can often see solutions and challenges from a more neutral perspective. They are also not part of the career ladder. This can be crucial to ensuring an honest and accurate assessment of the project’s status and progress.
5. Minimized risk of overloading internal resources
   By bringing in an external project manager, your internal teams can focus on their primary tasks, without being overloaded with extra project responsibilities. This ensures that the employees do not burn out and that the projects do not suffer from a lack of time or commitment from the permanent employees.
6. Dietary efficiency
   Although the cost of external project management is often paid on an hourly or project basis, it can still be more economical than full-time employment. You only pay for the time you spend, minimizing overhead costs for the company.

When should you consider external project management?

External project management can be an ideal solution in several situations:

• Complex projects: When your company is faced with a complex project that requires special expertise that you may not have in-house.
• Project loads: If the company experiences a temporary high need for project management that does not require a long-term permanent position.
• Transformation and changes: In the event of major changes, such as digitalization, sustainability initiatives or the implementation of new technologies, where specialized knowledge is required.
• Temporary resource shortage: When an internal project manager leaves the company, goes on maternity leave or is reassigned, an external project manager can be the solution during the transition period. 

External project management as a strategic solution

External project management offers companies a flexible, cost-effective and competent solution to their project needs. With specialized expertise and rapid deployment, an external project manager can ensure that projects are completed efficiently and on time, without unnecessarily straining internal resources. If your company is facing complex projects, periods of high demand or transformations, external project management can be the ideal solution to navigate these challenges.

Contact us today to hear more or have a non-binding chat about how we can help you and your business.