You Can’t Spell Project Manager without the Word NAG
We adore project managers. They keep us working toward an end goal, they motivate us, and they make sure every single moving piece of a project is where it’s supposed to be—and that’s just the start of their responsibilities. Sure, it might seem like they’re nagging us about our work when they’re checking in— after all, you can’t spell project manager without the word “nag.” But in truth, their “nagging” comes from a good place; they’re simply checking in to make sure everyone has the tools they need to complete their tasks and the project at hand.
The fact is, project managers play a pivotal role in ensuring projects actually succeed. A 2019 report by the Project Management Institute (PMI) estimated that organizations that undervalue project management saw an average of at least 50% of their projects failing. If that’s not proof of how powerful a good project manager is—even when they’re nagging—we don’t know what is.
But what do project managers actually do, especially in the field of IT? (We promise, it’s more than nagging or micro-managing!) And what considerations do they need to make when working with tech professionals? Keep reading to find out.
What Is Project Management in the IT Industry?
When it comes to being an IT project manager vs a project manager in any other field, they’re somewhat similar roles. No matter what industry they’re in, a project manager is tasked with overseeing a project from initiation to close, including keeping track of all the moving parts like deadlines, budgets, tasks, scope, individual team members, and more. In short, they keep track of everything and everyone who is involved in a project.
Where they vary, however, is in the scope and intricacy of their role. What does an IT project manager do on a daily basis? IT project management includes overseeing projects that involve software development, network updates, cloud computing rollouts, data management, and the implementation of IT services. No matter what IT project management system is being used—including Waterfall and Agile systems—these projects can be incredibly complex. IT project managers must have a working knowledge of IT, including systems, networks, and more to be able to successfully manage a project, assign responsibilities, answer questions, and communicate with internal and external stakeholders outside of the IT team.
What are 3 Critical Skills a Project Manager Needs to Succeed in IT?
IT project managers have a lot on their plates. From managing projects to organizing people, budgets, timelines, and more, they must excel with skills like communication and organization. Additionally, as discussed above, they need a solid working technical knowledge of the types of projects they’re managing. But beyond these core requirements, what IT project manager skills are mission-critical? We think these three can make all the difference.
1. Understand Team Motivations and Work Styles
Stereotypes aside, tech tends to draw certain types of people—those who are curious problem-solvers who love a good challenge. Discovering what motivates them, what makes them feel recognized, and what makes them feel safe can be a challenge, but it’s essential that project managers figure it out.
One strategy for project managers who work with the same team might include having each person take a work value assessment that can provide insight into personal and professional character traits. Others may simply have teams submit a bit about how they work best. Other general strategies might include:
Elevating what your team is doing by ensuring that stakeholders realize the importance of the project
Recognizing the work being done in stand-ups, team messages, or company blogs
Setting up one-on-one meetings as appropriate to understand and resolve any issues
2. Foster an Environment of Collaboration and Support
The best IT project managers understand that the teams they’re supporting are skilled at what they do. And, as we discussed above, IT teams tend to be filled with critical thinkers and problem solvers who enjoy a good puzzle. One of the best ways to foster a supportive, healthy environment? Get the team involved. Lay out the project, the deadline, and the scope. Then, invite them to have a role in deciding how to organize and develop the work to meet the end goal. Working together can create a shared feeling of ownership and camaraderie—both of which can create a team that’s on board with teamwork and collaboration.
3. Sit Back and Watch the Magic Happen
Okay, we know this might sound counterintuitive. But any good project manager will understand the importance of assigning tasks, checking in with the team, and knowing when to step back and watch the magic happen. While IT projects are inherently collaborative in some regards, the work of software engineering, developing, and coding requires a certain amount of uninterrupted space.
It’s important that project managers know how to assign clear and objective tasks and then trust that their team will do their jobs. You’ll get better, more energized, and passionate teams that way. And, with all the other work they have to do, micro-managing a project team to exhaustive levels probably isn’t high on a project manager’s priority list anyway.
Moser Consulting: Helping Projects Succeed
At Moser Consulting, our project management team has over 200 years of combined project management experience with a proven track record of success. Our project managers have experience with industry-standard methodologies, processes, and procedures that drive both consistency and efficiency for both large and small IT solutions. Perhaps most importantly, with Moser Consulting you can count on project managers who know how to work on a team, stay on deadline and within budget, and remain calm in the sometimes-chaotic environment of IT.
If you’re interested in learning more about our project management team or any of our services, reach out to us today.
