The IT sphere is not only for programmers, testers, and other people who are directly involved in the technical development of projects. There are many professionals in it, for whom managerial functions are of paramount importance. And a project manager is just such a specialist. His task is to organize the process of cooperation between the direct customer and the performers. The success of a specific project often depends on his coordinated work.
The profession of a project manager today looks very attractive and interesting to many people who dream of a career in IT. However, it is not suitable for everyone. To master the basics of project manager work, it is important to have good organizational skills, as well as a whole range of other skills and abilities. We offer to learn as much as possible about this work, to find out who it is suitable for, and to get information about where you can learn it, what a good specialist knows and does.
Who is a project manager?
A project manager is a specialist whose task is to manage a particular project. Essentially, they act as a mediator, linking the client on one side and the team of executors on the other. Under the watchful eye of the project manager, the project develops from the very beginning to a successful completion. Firstly, they establish communication with the client and conduct a detailed analysis of their requests and needs. After that, the project is developed with the team of executors. The project manager then oversees all stages of the project implementation, while continuing to communicate with all stakeholders involved in its realization.
Knowledge and Skills Necessary for a Project Manager
A project manager is a multitasking employee who combines the functions of a wise strategist, observant tactician, and a good psychologist. That is why they must use a diverse set of knowledge and skills in their work. Of course, hard skills are of great importance for a project manager. They imply a mandatory understanding of technical processes, so the specialist must possess a certain set of tools, frameworks, and methodologies. In particular, a project manager should be able to describe requirements qualitatively and clearly, easily distinguish Scrum from Waterfall, organize meetings, maintain a bug tracker, and have many other similar skills. A good level of English is also essential, which is necessary for all employees in the IT industry.
Soft skills also have significant value for a project manager. It can even be said that they determine their success in the position. Among the most important soft skills, it is worth noting:
- Creativity: this is the talent for generating ideas on the fly, quickly adapting to new circumstances;
- Communication skills and empathy: it is necessary not only to find an approach to different people but also to help them establish relationships with each other;
- Organizational skills: a project manager must set priorities correctly and be able to adjust their work rhythm;
- Resilience: the ability to maintain optimism and maintain a working atmosphere even during crises and deadlines;
- Time management: a project manager must adhere to time frames and, if necessary, optimize their work.
Duties and tasks of project managers
A project manager performs many important functions within a company. They must be both a diplomat and a manager, an administrator and, most importantly, a communicator. In an IT project, such a person is responsible for both strategic and tactical goals. First and foremost, it is important for them to satisfy the client, that is, to achieve the desired quality result within the predetermined budget. The project manager is also responsible for ensuring that the project's objectives are met. All of this, in combination, ensures the company's growth both financially and reputationally. Tactical tasks of the project manager are no less important, as they must solve important issues related to the project's implementation and provide advice on all problems that arise in the process.
The scope of project manager responsibilities is also very wide. They:
- Develop the project plan and identify the resources needed to implement it;
- In collaboration with the client, agree on the terms of the intended execution;
- Develop the appropriate documentation;
- Select a team of direct project performers and allocate tasks among all participants;
- Control the working process related to the project implementation, coordinate all its stages;
- Manage the budget, forecast revenues and resources;
- Provide mentoring, motivate the team;
- Report to the client on the progress of the project;
- Present the completed task as it is being executed.
The Pros and Cons of a Project Manager Profession
Like any other profession, the position of a project manager has both positive and negative aspects. Let's start with the pros, which include:
- A specialist in this position can greatly improve their communication, leadership, and organizational skills, which will be useful in any future work.
- The profession is in demand on the market, so finding the ideal job will be quite easy.
- Typically, there is a flexible and convenient work schedule in such a job.
However, there are also some cons to consider. The main ones are often cited as:
- High stress levels at work, associated with increased workload.
- Great responsibility, as the success of the project depends directly on the work of the project manager.
- Possible burnout, particularly due to the need for constant communication with people.
Salary level for Project Managers
In Ukraine, a beginner project manager can expect an average salary of $500. Of course, in good employees, it constantly increases, and already after about 3 years, it reaches at least $1300. Of course, the amount can be much higher, it all depends on the education of the project manager, their skills and abilities, experience, as well as on specific companies and projects with which they work. In general, salaries for such specialists in Ukraine range from $500 to $5000. The situation is slightly better abroad. For example, in the US, a project manager earns an average of almost $6000 per month, and in Germany, it is around $5500
Career growth in project management
As a rule, a career in project management begins with the position of Junior project manager. Such a specialist usually handles only a small part of the project or assists a more experienced professional. The next step is Middle. Such a project manager already deals with serious cases and manages a large group of people. Then you can become a Senior. However, vertical career growth does not end there, as one can always grow to become a Project Management Officer. Such a person is often called a manager of managers, as their field of activity is no longer just a specific product, but the coordination of various projects. Another career growth option is to become an Operations Director or COO (Chief Operating Officer). This position is very responsible, as it is related to the business plan of the entire company.
How to become a project manager
Almost anyone can become a project manager. However, it is very important to have the necessary hard and soft skills for this. And while most people can master the necessary knowledge of programs and methodologies, high communication skills, leadership, and organizational skills are usually innate traits that can be developed. It is best when a future project manager has a higher education degree in a technical or management field. If your specialty is far from these areas, you can always retrain. Today there are many courses for people who want to master the profession of project manager. Moreover, among them, there are many free ones, as well as those that can be taken online. Here are just a few examples:
- "Team and Project Management in IT" by Prometheus;
- "Project Manager from Scratch" by GoIT;
- "Project Management in IT" by Beetroot Academy;
- "Project Management" by IT Cluster Academy;
- "Project Management" by ITEA.
One can learn the basics required for project management independently, using resources such as the following courses:
- "Essential Scrum";
- "Implementing Lean Software Development";
- "Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme," and others.
In addition, if you want to become a project manager, it is worth familiarizing yourself with specialized webinars, lectures, and other materials that will help you better master this specialty. Furthermore, self-improvement is also necessary for those who already work in this position, as the IT industry never stands still, so project managers need to stay up-to-date on all innovations.
