Right now, technical project managers are in high demand. As the software industry continues to expand, a PM is at the core of organisations, keeping processes inline and giving businesses a competitive edge in the race to the top.
A project manager is at once a tech expert and confident leader. They play a key role in the planning, management and overseeing of IT-related projects, and will usually be responsible for ensuring multiple teams work together as one cohesive unit.
A PM should be an expert in the core subject matter and be highly skilled in the tech stack adopted by the company. This is a senior position, where the project manager provides a top-down oversight to ensure projects meet all standards in terms of quality, budget, timeline and scope.
A combination of technical ability and people skills is a must in this role.
TECHREPUBLIC DESCRIBES THE DUTIES OF PROJECT MANAGERS AS COMBINING:
“the often conflicting roles of technical manager, communicator, and quality assurance analyst. They also assess technical risks, assist with technical problem solving, and cut through the layers of bull-feathers surrounding any given technical project to determine what is really going on.”
The key responsibilities of a project manager
- Schedule projects and designate tasks to team members.
- Execute and oversee each phase of the project.
- Manage the budget.
- Manage people and encourage collaboration.
- Communicate with team members, business leaders and stakeholders.
- Develop comprehensive project plans aligned with business goals.
- Present reports on project progress and results.
- Stay across industry trends to predict the needs of future projects.
Essential skills, knowledge & experience
- A qualification in project management or a related technical field
- Time management and organisation skills
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
- Technical skills, such as in computer science
- Leadership skills
- Knowledge of programming languages
- Verbal and written communication skills
From the bigger picture to the small crucial details
Project managers connect the small details to the overall vision. Responsible for ensuring daily tasks are running smoothly, they manage teams and processes and make sure everything contributes positively to the overall objective – while maintaining standards at all times.
Ultimately, they’re there to make sure nothing falls apart. When other business leaders and team members are focused on their own duties, it’s easy for them to neglect the overall process. Project managers go beyond the essentials such as tasks, roles and budgets, to bring deep insights that drive organisations forward.