6/8/23, 12:39 PM Functional manager | IST Project Management Office

Functional manager
What is a functional manager?
The functional manager is the person who has management authority within a business
unit/department with direct supervision over one or more resources on the project/program
team, and/or direct responsibility for the functions affected by or that affect the project/program
deliverable(s). Functional managers reside within Information Systems & Technology (IST) and
within other business units on campus.

What are the functional manager responsibilities?

Communicate changes to their resources’ availability to the project/program manager
Track project/program status and understand impacts to their resources and areas of
responsibility
If directly responsible for function affected by or affecting deliverable(s)
Assists the project/program manager in providing leadership and achieving buy in
for that function
Evaluate and assess overall effectiveness and quality of deliverable
Ensure performance of their function improved and cross-functional integration is
working and effective
Participate in project/program decision-making, relevant to impact on the
functions he/she is responsible for
Communicate with project/program manager on any changes to the project that
affects the quality or scope of deliverable
Ensure appropriate requirements for the deliverable are communicated and
understood
Participate in project/program risk and issue management with project/program
manager, where required

https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-responsibilities/functional-manager#:~:text=The functional manager i… 1/4

6/8/23, 12:39 PM Functional manager | IST Project Management Office

If has direct supervision over one or more resources on the project/program team
Ensure their resources’ time is not over allocated between project/program work
and other responsibilities
Decide which resources to allocate to project/program, ensuring allocated
resources have the appropriate skills required for the project/program, or have the
ability to acquire those skills
Understand the work required of his/her resource(s) on the project/program and
any new skills they may acquire as a result of the project/program work
Ensure resources are available to the project/program, as originally promised
Handle any resource performance issues project/program manager brings forward

Roles
Business analyst <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-
responsibilities/business-analyst>

Customer <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-
responsibilities/customer>

Strategic architect <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/strategic-architect>

Functional manager <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/functional-manager>

IT governance <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-
responsibilities/it-governance>

Manager PMO <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/pmo-manager>

Program business change manager <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-

office/methodologies/roles-and-responsibilities/program-business-change-manager>

Program manager <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/program-manager>

Project manager <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/project-manager>

Project owner <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/project-owner>

Project team <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/project-team>

Sponsor <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-
responsibilities/projectprogram-sponsor>

Stakeholders <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-
responsibilities/stakeholders>

https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-responsibilities/functional-manager#:~:text=The functional manager i… 2/4

6/8/23, 12:39 PM Functional manager | IST Project Management Office

Subject matter expert <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/subject-matter-expert>

Related Resources
Identifying roles and responsibilities With a project RACI template <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-
project-management-office/tools-and-templates/tools/identifying-roles-and-responsibilities>

Distinguishing roles between PM and Functional Manager (IST Manager)

<https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-
office/sites/default/files/uploads/files/defining_roles_for_pm_and_ist_manager_on_a_project.pdf>

Sponsor checklist <https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-

responsibilities/projectprogram-sponsor/sponsor-checklist>

Your role as a sponsor [external link] <https://impactbylaura.com/your-role-as-a-sponsor/>

200 University Avenue West

Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1
+1 519 888 4567

CONTACT WATERLOO <https://uwaterloo.ca/about/contact- ACCESSIBILITY <https://uwaterloo.ca/accessibility/>

us>

NEWS <https://uwaterloo.ca/news/> MAPS & DIRECTIONS <https://uwaterloo.ca/map/>

PRIVACY <https://uwaterloo.ca/privacy/> CAREERS <https://uwaterloo.ca/careers/>

WATSAFE <https://uwaterloo.ca/watsafe/> COPYRIGHT <https://uwaterloo.ca/copyright>

FEEDBACK <https://uwaterloo.ca/about/contact-us/contact-form>

<https://www.instagram.com/uofwaterloo/>
<https://twitter.com/uwaterloo>
<https://www.linkedin.com/school/uwaterloo/>
<https://www.facebook.com/university.waterloo>
<https://www.youtube.com/user/uwaterloo>

@uwaterloo social directory <https://uwaterloo.ca/social-media/>

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional
territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on
the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the

https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-responsibilities/functional-manager#:~:text=The functional manager i… 3/4

6/8/23, 12:39 PM Functional manager | IST Project Management Office

Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through
research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of
Indigenous Relations <https://uwaterloo.ca/indigenous> .

https://uwaterloo.ca/ist-project-management-office/methodologies/roles-and-responsibilities/functional-manager#:~:text=The functional manager i… 4/4