One of the first acronyms I learned as a Project Manager before PERT, CPI, SPI, EV, etc(thanks to my old bald headed boss) was CYA. For the uninitiated in the world of real-life Project Management (as opposed to conceptual PM studies), CYA stands for "Cover Your Ass". Yes, I know it sounds like an awful way of managing projects but it really transcends more than just a self serving activity.
When you "Cover Your Ass", you technically ensure that all project decisions, activities, and concerns end up in the right person. Being in the middle of the project traffic, a PM is very susceptible to having issues land on his lap without the means or authority to resolve such an issue. By the nature of his role, he is always exposed to being the scapegoat when a project goes south.
Truth is, CYA is a good PM technique if used in the right and appropriate manner. However, this should only be done when absolutely necessary and not ALL the time to a point that it becomes habitual.
Project Managers have a level of responsibility. In fact they are responsible for everything that happens in the project, whether they like it or not - and whether they caused it or not. It is imperative that the PM can take the heat when heat is present. Simpy doing a CYA to save one's skin shows a lack of character on the Project Manager. It is also unfair to those whom the buck is passed on to.
Amongst the various types of Managers, it is the Project Manager who has to be the one most exposed to change. A Project Manager is a Change Manager. Because of this, he has to be able to manage the changes that impact people. When people are impacted, sh!t hits the ceiling, and when that happens - the Project Manager is in the middle being hit on all sides.
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