What role does a project manager play?

The role of a project manager primarily revolves around defining project goals and tracking project timelines, which is why this answer is appropriate. A project manager is responsible for the planning phase of a project, where they set clear project objectives and deliverables. By defining these goals, they provide a framework that guides the project team throughout the project's life cycle.

Additionally, tracking project timelines involves monitoring progress against established deadlines, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and that resources are allocated efficiently. This aspect of the role is crucial for keeping the project on schedule and often involves adjusting plans as necessary based on performance metrics or unforeseen challenges.

While other roles mentioned in the choices may play important parts in an organization's broader operations—such as overseeing daily operational tasks, initiating projects, or liaising with vendors and clients—they do not encapsulate the core responsibilities of a project manager as completely as the defined goal-setting and timeline-tracking aspect.