Authority
In project management, “authority” is the power or right that a project manager has to make choices, decide how to use resources, and tell team members what to do. Authority is a key part of project management because it lets the project manager make sure the project is finished on time, on budget, and to the needed quality standards.
In project management, there are different kinds of power, such as:
Formal authority is the power that the company or the project client gives to the project manager in writing. It includes having the power to make choices, divide up resources, and tell team members what to do.
Expert authority is the authority that comes from the knowledge, skills, and experience of the project manager. It means having the ability to convince and influence team members based on their knowledge in a certain area.
award authority is the power that comes from the project manager’s ability to recognize or award team members for their work. It includes the ability to get people on the team to work harder by giving them bonuses or promotions.
Referent authority is the authority that comes from the project manager’s personal traits, such as charm, honesty, and trustworthiness. It includes the ability to get team members to do what they want based on how much they like or value the project boss.
Project managers who are good at their jobs need to know the different kinds of power and how to use them in the right way. They also need to know how to show their authority to team members and other important people, as well as how to negotiate and solve problems that may come up because of differences in authority or power. In the end, power in project management is about building a team that works well together and is focused on achieving the goals and aims of the project.
Usage
It is used in project planning / resource management