Can I Assign Multiple Project Managers to a Single Project in ServiceNow?

[DakotaS]

I manage several projects in ServiceNow and will be out of office for a couple of months next year. I'm currently training my backfill and would like to assign him as a project manager on the same projects I currently manage. The goal is for him to start getting familiar with the projects and be able to make updates, while I retain access and visibility as a backup.

Is there a way to assign two project managers to a single project in ServiceNow? Ideally, both of us would have full access to manage tasks, timelines, and updates.

Any guidance on how to configure this or best practices for shared project ownership would be greatly appreciated!

[GlideFather]

Hi @DakotaS,

I don't have SPM module enabled for my PDI but as far as I remember the Project manager field is reference and only one User is allowed to select. So with OOTB it's not possible to have 2 PMs for one PRJ..

What could you do would be to create a custom field a duplicate the behaviour that the Project Manager has, it would be called something like Project Manager Deputy or whatever but all the functionalities must have been copied as well, if you want to have the same experience, it would require to check many corresponding scripts, configirations (e.g. UI policy) and notifications.

I don't know if there's any other easier way....

[Bhuvan]

@DakotaS 

Project Manager field in pm_project table is a reference field to sys_user table and can refer to one user only. I would recommend not to change the behavior or customize it as this is a core table and would impact other functionalities in SPM module.

Depending on your requirement, I would look at option of creating Dashboards or Reports or VTB to display the details so that the team is across the Project Status and Manager details. You can also look at the option of delegates to see if it fulfills your requirement.

https://www.servicenow.com/community/itsm-articles/delegates-in-servicenow/ta-p/2600517

If this helped to answer your query, please mark it helpful & accept the solution.

Thanks,

Bhuvan

[kaushal_snow]

@DakotaS ,

You can't assign multiple project managers directly, you can create a custom Project Team field or use Project Task assignments to allow both you and your backfill to manage tasks, timelines, and updates....... By configuring appropriate roles and permissions, both users can have full access to the project, and using Notification Rules ensures you both stay updated..... This setup helps provide shared ownership and visibility while maintaining the original project manager’s access.....

If you found my response helpful, please mark it as ‘Accept as Solution’ and ‘Helpful’. This helps other community members find the right answer more easily and supports the community.

[arijeetdev]

Hi @DakotaS , 
In ServiceNow, the Project (pm_project) table schema defines the Project Manager (project_manager) field as a reference field with a 1:1 relationship to a user record. This means that each project can have only one designated project manager at a time.

If your use case requires multiple individuals to manage or oversee the same project, there are a few options you can consider:

1. Parent–Child Project Structure:
   You can create a parent project that represents the overall initiative and then define sub-projects under it. Each sub-project can have its own project manager, while the parent project provides consolidated visibility and reporting across all sub-projects. This is a common approach when multiple managers are responsible for different work streams within a larger effort.

2. Role-Based Access:
   If your main goal is to allow your backfill to collaborate and make updates, you can assign them additional roles and permissions (e.g., project_manager, project_user, or custom roles) that grant them access to modify project tasks, timelines, and updates—without changing the primary Project Manager field.
   
   Thanks & Regards,
   Arijeet