What Is an IT Project Manager?
A project manager in any industry needs to be an organized, resourceful, inspiring
leader. In the information technology world, project managers must possess a
unique combination of deep subject-matter knowledge and quick, on-their-feet
thinking to ensure the industry’s complex and frequently changing projects go off
without a hitch.
Let’s look at some of the reasons why IT project managers are a special breed.
What does an IT project manager do?
IT project managers are responsible for planning, organizing, allocating resources
for, budgeting, and successfully executing organizations’ specific IT goals. Such
projects might include:
Software and app development
Hardware installations
Network upgrades
Cloud computing and virtualization rollouts
Projects around business analytics and data management
Miscellaneous IT services
IT project managers may work with a variety of teams within the organization,
including (but not limited to) those in charge of:
Hardware (operating systems and platforms) and software
Networking (firewalls and connectivity)
Business data and analytics
Service management (contracts and procurement)
Help-desk support
Information security (compliance and governance)
For each of these projects, an IT project manager will likely lead the following stages:
Initiation: The project goal is identified, and the project is created.
Planning: IT project plans are expected to need frequent updates, so it’s
generally understood that planning will occur in cycles.
Execution: During execution, the entire team, led by the project manager, works
on the tasks laid out in the project plan, with the ultimate goal of creating the
project’s deliverables. According to TechTarget, “the project can shift to project
planning as needed throughout project execution.”
Monitoring: As TechTarget explains, the IT project manager “monitors and
controls the work for the time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and other factors of the
project.”
Closing: This occurs at the end of each phase and the end of the project. It
ensures all work has been completed and approved and ownership transfers
from the project team to operations.
IT project managers face unique
challenges
IT projects come with an array of complex challenges. Even seemingly simple,
straightforward projects tend to get more complicated thanks to factors such as:
Changing or unclear client priorities
Unforeseen relationships among hardware, software, networks, and data
Technological updates and advancements that occur in the middle of the project
Infrastructure changes that impact data security and management
IT projects are also unique in that they frequently bring together groups of people
who have never worked together before. On top of that, IT team members working
on a project may have a high level of technical expertise. Still, they may not be
skilled at translating that technical knowledge into simple language easily understood
by non-IT staff. This, along with the other challenges, is why great communication
and leadership from the IT project manager are critical. As Learn.org explains: “Good
IT project managers have fine coordination and leadership skills to keep their teams
working together.”
Further reading:
What It Means to Be a Digital Project Manager
6 Different Team Effectiveness Models to Understand Your Team Better
9 Ways to Develop Your Leadership Skills
