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- “Get the right people to do the right thing at the right time” - a Senior Project Manager's view on leading complex IT projects.
The Spider in the Web: A Day in the Life of an IT Project Manager in Sweden
Summary
Richard Wijngaard is not the kind of project manager who hides behind a planning tool. As an IT project manager working through Maandag Nordic in Sweden, his days are built on conversations, alignment and knowing when to ask the uncomfortable question.
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Every morning starts the same way
Before anything else, Richard checks his calendar. Not to see how busy the day is — he already knows — but to make sure he is prepared for every meeting that follows.
"My days are usually packed with meetings. My job is talking, meetings, aligning with people. Get the right people to do the right thing at the right time. That's it, basically."
From daily stand-ups with development teams to sessions with external consultants, business stakeholders, Steering Committees and Management — each requires a different approach. Richard moves between all of them, adding context, setting priorities and keeping the bigger picture in sight.
More than planning and deadlines
What sets Richard apart from a classic project manager is the breadth of what he brings to the table.
"I'm not a project manager only looking at planning, deadlines, scope, resourcing and budget. I have to talk about business processes, changes, IT applications, solutions."
That combination of technical understanding and business awareness is what gives him energy. Having seen complex projects from multiple angles over the years, he knows how to help a team find the right direction and when to step back.
Success is not about the spotlight
When does Richard feel his work really makes a difference? Not when he is in the spotlight, but when the team is.
"I'll smile at the bar in the back when the team is on stage."
For him, a successful project means Management is satisfied, employees work more efficiently, customers are better served, or something genuinely new has been created. The credit belongs to the team. His job is to make that possible.
A Dutch project manager in Sweden
Moving from the Netherlands to Sweden came with one pleasant surprise.
"Swedish people are super-kind and friendly. I sometimes think that's why they hired a Dutch project manager, someone direct who can confront people with difficult questions, tasks or decisions."
That blend of Swedish warmth and Dutch directness turns out to be a productive combination. In complex projects where difficult conversations cannot be avoided, having someone willing to ask the hard questions makes a real difference.
Advice for anyone considering the role
Richard does not sugarcoat what the job demands.
"Surround yourself with good people. Not the ones who just say yes. The critical ones."
As a project manager, you sit in the middle of everything, between Management and the project team, between business and technology, between what is planned and what is actually happening. It can be isolating. It can be intense.
"You're the spider in the web. Or you love it, like I do, or you hate it."