Skills Required to Become an IT Project Manager

Perhaps you have worked on a number of IT projects and you’re looking forward to make a career in Project Management.  What exactly is the job of a project manager and what skills do you need to be one? Here is the answer.

A Project Manager is an executive who is accountable for the planning, organization and management of a project so as to accomplish a specific target.

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One crucial role of a project manager is to lead his subordinates and to coordinate and work with them to get the goal achieved. Thus, a project manager is responsible for the success or failure of a project.

Projects Often Fail

To your surprise, a recent survey reflected that the failure rate for IT projects ranges from 38% to 74%. Here are some reasons:

1. Improperly trained or inexperienced project managers
2. Inability to set and expectations
3. Poor leadership qualities
4. Inability to understand client’s requirements
5. Inadequate planning strategy.
6. Misuse of authority
7. Inadequate communication and improper coordination with the team.

Tasks and Responsibilities of an IT Project Manager  

A project manager’s role is very organized and goal-oriented.  Here are some major tasks and responsibilities of an IT project manager:

• Thoroughly understanding and explaining the client’s requirements to the team members.
• Ensuring that the team has all the resources which are needed to work on the project and providing a timely feedback to the team.
• Designing procedures and workflows.
• Clearly explaining all the procedures, principles and possible risks to the team.
• Delegating project assignments and setting expectations from the tea.
• Monitoring the progress and execution of the project.
• Developing a risk management plan including risk identification and risk resolving.
• Conducting meetings and sending timely status reports to the client.
• Providing change management.
• Working collaboratively with the entire team.

Skills Required

To become an IT project manager, you should have pursued a degree/diploma in Computer Applications (or related fields) and  should also have a considerable experience with IT project development or software development.

Although it is not mandatory but in case you have pursued an MBA in Project Management then this could be a good add on to get hired.

 Managerial Skills

• Planning and organizing the project while ensuring the availability of required resources.
• Time management skills like timely execution, completion and submission of the project.
• Efficient problem solving skills and risk management skills.
• Leading, motivating and sustaining the team members
• Defining targets and expectations.
• Being considerate and respectful.
• Evaluate and monitor the progress of each team member
• Communicating clearly and timely with the team members and clients.
• Very good presentation skills.
• Good listening skills. 

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of basics in software programming and related technologies.
• Being aware of the tools and software which the company is using.
• Knowledge of Work Breakdown Structures.
• Knowledge of data handling and networking.
• Documentation skills and hands on Microsoft Office.

Certification

The PMI association has reported that managers with a certification are preferred and earn approximately 16 percent more than those without it. Here are some major certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

Other skills might include multitasking, behavioral and negotiation skills.

source:absmagazine.com

Career Prospects

According to a recent survey, “IT Project Manager” was ranked at number five amongst the top 50 best jobs in the USA. Even in India, all major MNCs like Infosys, Wipro and IBM are making strategies and plans to hire skilled project managers to boost their project-success rate.

Companies are now focusing on increasing their productivity and maintaining client satisfaction. Thus the demand for efficient Project Managers is rising in the IT industry. The salary levels vary according to the experience, skills and certifications.