1. How do we create a partnership between the project manager and line managers when project manager focuses only on the best of his/her project and the line manager is expected to make impartial company decision?
I think the most important point is that project manager and line manager should stand on the same level, which means each of them should have same formal authority, line manager should manage right people to project manager, and project manager should arrange right people to the right position, for the best interest of company, this is a partnership they should establish. 2. Who should have more of a say during negotiations for the resource manager or the line manager.
I think it depends on what size the company is, for case one, line manager have more of a say during negotiations for resource, during the context, line manager control several key staff, while project manager have to work with the one he does not want to work with. Ideally, project manager should have a say in the assembly of his project team and his resource, which will help him to gain their personal commitment, support and required quality of service. 3. How should irresolvable conflicts over staffing between the project and line managers be handle?
Basically, for this kind of conflict should be handle by sponsor, it is the sponsor who support the project, if there is a conflict between the project manager and line manager, sponsor should evaluate the situation to decide who should go or leave 4. Should an external customer have a say in project staffing?
Yes, I think so. The external customer as an important unit, who funding the project, and provide support to the project, if there is someone who do not perform well for entirely project, external customer, from the angle of the best interest, they have a say in project staffing, especially for the project as context