Better Companies,
Better Societies
Global Corporate Governance Forum
Role and Tasks of Project Manager
Eurasia CG Codes Workshop
Baku
January 2009
Some Personal Attributes
 Must be good communicator
↳ Work closely with Committee Chairman
↳ Co-ordinate activities and priorities, trouble shooting
↳ Diplomatic and tactful to handle various interests, personalities
 Should have good network, sources
↳ Well connected with institutions in the country
↳ Good sources of knowledge, expertise to call on for support
↳ Access to regional and international experts
 Should have close eye for detail
 Must remain objective throughout process
↳ Not be diverted by strong personalities, vested interests
 Must be prepared to negotiate difficult issues, conflict
2
Schedule of Typical Tasks
 Set timetable and determine objectives, mandate
 Map out work program
↳ …..for the committee and establish agreed milestones
↳ …..for the task teams setting clear guidelines and tasks
↳ …..for the “core working group” and finalizing the Code




Establish necessary resources and networks
Distribute useful, relevant material to inform process
Set templates for drafting style, format and structure
Undertake regular liaison with all involved parties
↳ Providing guidance, clarity, direction where necessary
 Central source for collating and editing draft content
3
Key Issues During Process
 Set Modus Operandi early in the process
↳ Keep tight control of project timetable
↳ Ensure regular and clear communication, ensuring clarity
 Keep in touch with everyone’s progress
↳ Provide interventions, facilitate support where necessary
↳ Remain available and accessible!
 Follow closely policy and practice developments
↳ Balance against domestic priorities, Code objectives
 Use technology to expedite distribution, consultation
 Maintain record of all sources of reference, research
 Keep ALL copies of edited drafts
↳ …..in case of disputes on content!
4
Some Lessons…..
 Keep record of how, why content rejected or accepted
↳ Record from whom submissions received
↳ Detail of committee, task team, editorial response
 Consider funding issues early in the process
↳
↳
↳
↳
↳
Compensation for the project manager? Consultant?
Payment for research?
Costs of communication, correspondence, dissemination?
Costs of media engagement?
Sources from whom funding might be obtained?
 Editing, negotiating changes, finalizing Code
↳ Can be very time consuming, don’t underestimate!
 Managing release of finalized Code, only the beginning!
5
THANK YOU
Philip Armstrong
Global Corporate Governance Forum
Telephone +1 202 458 9114
parmstrong@ifc.org
www.gcgf.org
6