What makes you unique from other PM's?
I'd say mine are the three Ps of - Perseverance, Persistence and Patience. In addition, I have a broad knowledge of Internet technologies. It helps when you're an IT project manager to have a strong technical background. It makes working in the field easier and enables me to have a clear understanding of what the developers and technicians are doing.
This brings up the age-old question of whether project managers need to be technically savvy. I've heard people say that the project manager needs to be able to do the job of the technical people to be effective.
Personally, I don't think so. Where are you going to find such a person, unless you're lucky. Certainly a good knowledge of the industry you're working in is required. It is not necessary for the project manager to be able to do the job himself. A lot of teams have a technical manager, and working together with him or her will aid the project manager in doing their job.
Needing the ability to do the job yourself smacks of a lack of trust. You have to trust the people you are working with to give you accurate information and carry out their work responsibly. If people are trying to pull the wool over your eyes, then there's a far greater problem that needs to be addressed, probably at a higher level in the organisation.
Just a few thoughts. Anything to add?
Cheers,
Duncan
This brings up the age-old question of whether project managers need to be technically savvy. I've heard people say that the project manager needs to be able to do the job of the technical people to be effective.
Personally, I don't think so. Where are you going to find such a person, unless you're lucky. Certainly a good knowledge of the industry you're working in is required. It is not necessary for the project manager to be able to do the job himself. A lot of teams have a technical manager, and working together with him or her will aid the project manager in doing their job.
Needing the ability to do the job yourself smacks of a lack of trust. You have to trust the people you are working with to give you accurate information and carry out their work responsibly. If people are trying to pull the wool over your eyes, then there's a far greater problem that needs to be addressed, probably at a higher level in the organisation.
Just a few thoughts. Anything to add?
Cheers,
Duncan
My uniqueness is two fold: An understanding of IT networking & ability (passion) to identify commercial improvements.
It is not often that technically minded people are also adept at seeking out financial gains; financial and technical roles tend to attract two different types of people. And this is where I feel I combine both technical & financial competencies well, resultant in a pragmatic project service (well, I would like to think so anyway :) ).
Regarding whether you need to be technically minded for an IT PM role, I would say it depends on what technical resources you have at your disposal. I have been in positions where a lack of availability of technical resources has caused me to draw upon my own knowledge to progress projects.
Also, Duncan has raised a point below reference delegating tasks. I read a article on project leadership recently & it remarked that the ability to delegate tasks to others shows trust & trust is a key component for being classed as an effective leader by others.
Thanks,
Kit
It is not often that technically minded people are also adept at seeking out financial gains; financial and technical roles tend to attract two different types of people. And this is where I feel I combine both technical & financial competencies well, resultant in a pragmatic project service (well, I would like to think so anyway :) ).
Regarding whether you need to be technically minded for an IT PM role, I would say it depends on what technical resources you have at your disposal. I have been in positions where a lack of availability of technical resources has caused me to draw upon my own knowledge to progress projects.
Also, Duncan has raised a point below reference delegating tasks. I read a article on project leadership recently & it remarked that the ability to delegate tasks to others shows trust & trust is a key component for being classed as an effective leader by others.
Thanks,
Kit