Which of the following is a key responsibility of a project manager in software engineering?

A key responsibility of a project manager in software engineering is to create and track work to plan. This involves not only establishing the project schedule and defining deliverables but also ensuring that the project remains on track by monitoring progress against this plan. The project manager is responsible for coordinating tasks among the team members, so they need to frequently check in on the status of the work and make adjustments as necessary to meet deadlines and project commitments.

By embracing this responsibility, the project manager helps to ensure that resources are used efficiently, risks are managed, and the project's objectives are met. Effective tracking also allows the project manager to communicate updates and potential issues with stakeholders, thereby fostering transparency and aligning expectations.

Other responsibilities that might seem relevant, like overseeing work plans or limiting team communication, do not encompass the broad and proactive nature of tracking work against a plan. Additionally, performing all coding tasks is not suitable for a project manager, as their role is focused more on management and coordination rather than technical execution.