8 Red Flags of Security Project Management
Not all project managers are built the same – especially those working in security. Security and project management require a deeper level of experience due to the unique risks, regulatory requirements, and operational impacts involved.
So before you hire a physical security project manager, be sure to watch out for these 8 red flags when assessing candidates for your security project.
1. Lack of Communication
Your security project manager should be the central point of communication, ensuring alignment among all stakeholders. And while they may not have control over every relevant stakeholder, it is their responsibility to facilitate clear and consistent communication channels. If communications from your project manager are sparse, expect confusion, unmet expectations, and misaligned goals, all of which put the project at risk.
2. Lack of Governance
Project governance is the formal framework that ensures a project is executed according to agreed-upon rules and processes. This includes setting expectations for how often meetings should occur, who needs to be involved at different stages, and how change management should be handled. Without it, roles and responsibilities become muddled and critical decisions may not be made in a timely manner. If your project manager doesn’t introduce a governance framework early on, consider it a red flag.
3. Unrealistic Timelines
Be wary of security project timelines that seem too good to be true. Many external stakeholders (and sometimes even internal ones) are likely unaware of the various forces at work within your specific environment. For example, there may be two months of design work or compliance approvals that need to take place before your project even begins. A good project manager acknowledges all applicable factors and works to ensure a more realistic and achievable schedule.
4. Not Taking a Holistic Approach
Even if your security project focuses on a single system, it is unlikely to operate in isolation. Let’s say you’re installing a new access control system. Have you thought about how your HR team will enroll new employees? Or how your IT department will manage network security? Could operations, who value occupancy data, share the budget for the new system? A skilled project manager sees beyond the immediate security impact and considers how the project will impact the organization as a whole.
5. People Pleasing
If your project manager says “yes” to everything—whether to you, internal stakeholders, or third parties—they could be putting your project at risk. While maintaining good relationships is important, avoiding tough conversations for fear of upsetting someone can quickly lead to scope creep. A strong project manager balances diplomacy with decisiveness.
6. Absence of KPI Tracking
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential for measuring the success of your security project. Years ago, project tracking was limited to Gantt charts and basic progress reports. But today’s project managers can monitor metrics such as budgets, device health, compliance adherence, and more. A project manager who does not establish and track relevant KPIs misses the opportunity to demonstrate project value.
7. Ignoring Program Management
Security project management and program management go hand in hand. While project management focuses on the tactical execution of individual initiatives, program management takes a more strategic, long-term view. Although project managers and program managers differ in their roles, project managers should still consider what happens after deployment. This includes employee training, system maintenance, and future scalability.
8. Lack of Experience
While the fundamentals of project management remain consistent across industries, security projects require a specialized approach. An experienced or certified security project manager understands the unique challenges of deploying security solutions and can help you avoid costly mistakes. Their knowledge translates directly into time and cost savings by defining realistic scopes, preventing unnecessary delays, and optimizing resources from the start.
Not sure where to start?
A qualified security project manager can make all the difference in delivering an effective solution for your organization. By understanding the red flags to look for, you can ensure that your project is in capable hands, freeing you to focus on your core business objectives.
You may be surprised to learn that many security consultants also include project management as one of their service offerings. At Atriade, our team brings deep technical and operational expertise, ensuring that every security project is executed with precision from inception to completion. You can learn more about our security project management services here.
About Atriade
Atriade is a trusted security consulting firm with decades of experience delivering tailored security solutions. We specialize in security system design for access control, perimeter protection, video surveillance, visitor management, and other advanced physical security technologies.
Our expertise also extends beyond system design to include security master planning, program development, risk assessments, professional services, and end-to-end project management.
For more than 20 years, we have partnered with Fortune 50 companies, Ivy League universities, and leading technology firms in Silicon Valley to help them navigate complex security challenges with a strategic, forward-thinking approach.
Visit us online at Atriade.com
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