Why do research and development project managers need authority over people and resources?

In the context of business, research and development (R&D) projects function as temporary, "one-shot" production systems where resources are gathered for a specific task and later reassigned. Project managers require authority over people and resources for several critical reasons:1

• Accountability and Coordination: Because R&D team members are often assigned to multiple projects simultaneously, they face conflicting demands on their time. Managers need authority to coordinate these members effectively and maintain clear accountability for the project's progress.1
• Resource Balancing: Project managers must ensure that the total development effort aligns with available human and financial resources. They must balance these needs against the requirements of other departments, such as marketing and production, to ensure the project remains on schedule and within budget.12
• Advocacy and Leadership: The project leader acts as an advocate for the team, winning the necessary support and resources from the larger organization to complete the work.2

This autonomy allows managers to resolve the complex technical, financial, and managerial issues that arise throughout the innovation process.1