The right project management (PM) team can make or break a project. It can either steer you to success – with expertise and value creation – or veer you off course, leaving you frustrated and potentially out of pocket.

So, how can you ensure you engage a trusted, high-performing PM team?

In this article, I share the 7 green flags to look for when finding a winning PM partner.

Glowing references

If you’re eager to understand the experience of working with a prospective PM team, forgo the salespeople and go straight to the horse’s mouth: its clients. 

These individuals are the best judges of how a PM team will deliver. Because they’ve experienced it once – or many times – themselves.

Ask them the important questions. Did the Director disappear after the first meeting, leaving you to deal with an inexperienced team? Did the PM team recommend a contracting methodology that was genuinely in your best interest?

If a PM team is proud of its work, it’ll be eager to share references. And if your contact hesitates? It’s a red flag, so run! 

Noble values – spanning honesty, trustworthiness and integrity

Before entering any relationship, you want to evaluate your potential partner’s character. Are they honest? Can you trust them? Do they act with integrity?

Are they there to genuinely represent your best interests – and achieve maximum value for you?

These are the questions to consider before locking in a PM team. But how do you find the answers?

Well, references can provide some insight. But I also advise chatting with previous industry colleagues or partners. (LinkedIn is fantastic for this, as you can see the mutual connections in your network.)

Beyond this, understand the company’s broader reputation within the industry. What have you heard about this organisation? Does it seem aligned with your values? By ensuring this, you’ll set the flame for a harmonious and productive partnership.

Adequate experience (within the project team)

Often, senior professionals sell, and junior talent delivers.

If this model is not disclosed upfront, you’ll be left feeling unsupported, disappointed and misled. That’s why it’s vital to investigate – before you sign the dotted line – exactly who you’ll be working with, from concept to delivery.

Does this individual, or group of individuals, have the skills and credentials you need?

At Acuity, we once saved a client more than $700,000 by having one of our Directors on the project – a practice we follow in every case.

The Director was able to steer the project and collaborate with the Tier 1 contractor in a way that a less experienced PM couldn’t. The financial savings more than covered the difference in our fees compared to those of other PM firms who competed for the contract.

The key takeaway? It’s equally as important to research the experience of the specific individuals working on your project as it is of the company. 

Genuine value for money

We’ve all been feeling the weight of today’s economic climate. From soaring inflation to the rising cost of materials to the growing pressure to pay higher wages, businesses are facing extreme financial pressure.

PM companies are trying to remain competitive while also protecting their bottom line – making pricing trickier than ever before. Believe me, Acuity is no different.

Yet our clients are also feeling the pinch. So, it’s no surprise that value for money is a key consideration when evaluating your prospective PM team. As it should .

But beware: if one PM fee proposal is half the price of the rest, you must ask yourself why. Will that firm deliver the same outstanding result without investing the same amount of time and resources?

Definitely not.

My advice? Get an up-to-date benchmark of average market rates. From there, you can evaluate whether the PM company’s fees are competitive. 

And read any submission with a fine-tooth comb, paying close attention to the inclusions and exclusions. Aim to strike a balance between competitive pricing and true expertise.

Finally, look out for aggressive sales and marketing teams working for building contractors. If they strongly recommend a particular PM firm, you must question why that is.

Trust and positive rapport with the business owners

Your PM partner should trade your money like it’s their own. So, you want to trust them and feel confident that they’re on your team.

This assuredness should begin with your initial contact and extend right to the top – to the business owners. It’s vital that the leaders are in your corner as they’re the decision-makers. They can facilitate access to key resources or ensure issues are addressed promptly.

At Acuity, we take relationship-building with our clients seriously. In fact, we have a saying that ‘our clients are our livelihoods.’ They’re the reason we get to do our work – day in, day out.

Relevant independent accreditation

Finally, your prospective organisation should hold applicable independent accreditation.

This is important for several reasons.

Firstly, it breeds credibility and trust. Secondly, it offers peace of mind with respect to risk management. And thirdly, it signals that this company is committed to continuous improvement. That’s because – typically – accreditation requires ongoing monitoring, evaluation and improvement.

At Acuity, we are accredited for international quality, environmental and safety standards.

Undertaking this extensive process was important to us, as it gives us confidence that we’re operating in the right way – and doing our best for you.

Want to work with a PM partner who checks all the boxes? Speak to the team today.