Project Manager in IT - what does he do and how to become one?

In the world of new technologies, where every day brings new challenges and innovations, the role of Project Manager (project manager) in IT is becoming one of the most important and sought-after specializations. This is because a person in such a position is the key link between technical aspects and business requirements, being responsible for the successful execution of IT projects from the concept phase to implementation.

Who is a Project Manager in IT and what does he or she do?

A Project Manager in IT is a person responsible for the end-to-end management of IT projects - from their initiation to their final implementation Unlike traditional managers, PMs in IT must not only have the skills to manage a team, but also understand the specifics of the technological environment in which programmers, analysts and other IT specialists operate.

What exactly does a Project Manager do on a daily basis? The main areas of his work include:

• Strategic planning - defining the goals of the project, creating schedules of activities and dividing tasks into stages,
• Team management - coordinating business analysts and other specialists,
• Communication with stakeholders - regular contacts with clients, company management and project team members,
• Budget and resource control - monitoring project costs and effective use of available resources,
• Risk management - identifying potential problems and preparing contingency plans.

Now let's try to detail these responsibilities of a Project Manager.

Responsibilities of the Project Manager

Strategic planning

The Project Manager's main tasks include defining the problems and goals of the project. At the outset, he or she creates a project charter that includes the project objective, key deadlines, budget, roles and responsibilities, and key risks.

Once the project charter has been approved by superiors, the Project Manager holds a project kick-off meeting with the selected project team, clients and stakeholders.

Team management

One of the key aspects of working already on a given project, ispersonnel management, that is, distributing tasks, setting priorities and supervising the duties performed.

Here, the Project Manager is responsible for matching the right people to the team at the right time, motivating team members, building a work atmosphere that supports the achievement of goals or resolving any conflicts within the team.

Communication with stakeholders

The Project Manager also conducts ongoing communication with stakeholders, prepares reports, discusses progress and receives feedback from clients or individual team leaders.

Budget control and risk management

During the course of the project, the PM monitors progress against the schedule and other arrangements (especially budget and project costs), observes key indicators (KPIs), and responds as needed to any problems with implementation and prepares contingencies.

What skills does a Project Manager need?

Soft skills

The soft skills of a Project Manager in IT are primarily interpersonal and communication skills, i.e. clear communication of information to the team and clients, which are essential for effective collaboration with teams of developers, analysts and clients.

Not insignificant are also elements of leadership, that is, proper motivation of the team and building a positive work atmosphere, conflict resolution skills or effective time management.

Hard skills

The hard skills of an IT Project Manager, on the other hand, focus on specific knowledge of tools and methodologies for managing technology projects - Agile, Scrum, Waterfall or Kanban.

This requires knowledge of software development processes and at least a basic understanding of the technical language used by developers. An IT PM must also be proficient in specialized project tools such as Jira, Trello, MS Project or Asana.

Analytical skills to manage IT project budgets, prepare reports and analysis, and manage technology risks specific to software projects are also key.

How do you become a Project Manager in IT?

You can become a Project Manager by systematically gaining experience in the industry. Starting your career in IT as a programmer, tester or analyst, you can later move up to project coordinator, advance to Junior Project Manager and grow to Mid and Senior PM level.

While a master's degree in project management is not always required in the IT industry, a college degree in related areas is important and significantly facilitates the career path outlined above.

An example of a comprehensive educational program in this area is the field of study Information Management at PJAIT. This program combines knowledge of management, economics and information technology, placing particular emphasis on skills relating to business organization and competent project management. Graduates are prepared to work as IT project managers and specialists involved in the design and implementation of information systems.