I think we can all agree that all those responsible for a project, ranging from the upper management all the way down to “lowest level” employee needs to be on the same page requiring transparency and harmonization as previously mentioned. But this point does not actually address whether or not the hierarchy mentioned is in the correct order. In my opinion, the hierarchy is correct. Beginning with an idealistic view is not an issue at all. Keep in mind that even upper management has demands to meet and that is normally the voice of the customer. So while you are calling these requirements unrealistic, they are often well thought out by management to meet the demands of the customer. Despite this situation being what it is, if you look at the definition given to a project manager from the power point, you will see this lines up with a lot of the tasks you described your father having to perform. A project manager makes “clear and doable objectives” and is responsible for “balancing demands for time, cost, quality, and scope.” This is exactly why project (and therefore project managers) are introduced at the end of this hierarchy. Unrealistic or not, project managers take what’s been done in the strategy, tactic and program phases and refines it to create tangible results in the project phase.