Why is there a need for project managers? It seems like all these people do is go to meetings. They produce nothing of value. An on the ball designer/engineer can handle the job themselves.
Without a good project manager, the boss will invite "on the ball designer/engineer" to the meeting so no work will be done. A bad project manager will not only go to the meeting, but will bring the engineer along so everyone's time can be wasted.
It's important when you have a large project and 5+ developers and DBAs. A good PM can let the developers concentrate on code and forget the client exists apart from the requirements that come their way. A bad PM can just make matters worse.
"An on the ball designer/engineer can handle the job themselves."
Well said and all to true...
I guess you also feel: Why is there a need for a football coach - an on the ball football player can handle the job themselves.
Most projects involve many designers, engineers, QA personal, etc - the project manager is key to getting work done. The last thing you need is 10 designers/engineers handling their own job each in their own special way. Unless it is a one man project - the Project Manager in more important than the designers/engineers. The Project Manager herds the cats.
BTW: I am both a designer/engineer and project manager - they are two different disciplines and both are absolutely necessary.