The fact that Tom Mochal has found it appropriate to present this subject for discussion, and the various opinionated responses from Paul, et all, only highlights the need for project managers. If any project were to proceed with as much difference of opinion as generated by Mochal's column, it would of course be a failure. I believe that the "best possible" project manager would be one that has both technical knowledge and project management skills. However, both knowledge and skills will beof little help if the project manager is not the final arbiter of all "opinions" concerning the project.