How to Be IT Technical Project Manager - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 7, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The increased demand for IT Technical Project Managers over recent years has resulted in a shortage of qualified professionals to fill the roles. This has led to companies having to invest more money and resources into recruiting and training the right people for these roles, which in turn has caused salary expectations for IT Technical Project Managers to rise significantly. In addition, as the roles are becoming more in-demand, competition for IT Technical Project Manager positions is becoming increasingly fierce, requiring companies to look for more experienced candidates with a proven track record of success. As a result, IT Technical Project Managers are now expected to have the relevant qualifications, certification, and industry experience to be successful in their roles.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelors Degree. Earning a bachelors degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is a must for aspiring IT project managers.
Pursue Professional Certifications. Professional certifications prove to employers that you have the necessary skills and competencies to manage a team and complete projects successfully.
Gain Relevant Experience. Obtaining experience as an IT professional is essential for becoming an IT project manager.
Develop Soft Skills. Soft skills are non-technical skills that are important for successful project management, such as communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Consider a Masters Degree. If youre interested in advancing in your career, obtaining a masters degree in project management or a related field can help you stand out from other candidates.
Join Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) can provide you with valuable resources and networking opportunities.

The success of an IT Technical Project Manager is largely dependent on their ability to plan and manage projects in an ideal and efficient manner. To do this, they must be able to effectively identify the goals of the project, as well as the tasks that need to be completed to reach those goals. They must also be able to allocate resources appropriately and set realistic timelines for completion of tasks.

the IT Technical Project Manager must possess strong organizational and communication skills in order to effectively coordinate with the team members and stakeholders involved in the project. their ability to successfully manage projects in an ideal and efficient manner is key to the success of any IT project.

You may want to check Project Designer, Project Manager/Analyst, and Program/Project Manager for alternative.

Job Description

Managing the overall technical project lifecycle, from initiation through closure.
Developing and managing project plans, timelines, budgets, and resources.
Identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate those risks.
Leading technical architecture and design decisions.
Leading project team meetings and providing regular project updates to stakeholders.
Establishing communication protocols and ensuring successful collaboration between technical teams.
Developing and tracking key project metrics to ensure successful project completion.
Interfacing with external vendors and partners to coordinate activities related to the project.
Managing changes to the project scope and ensuring alignment with overall project objectives.
Providing technical guidance to the project team and supporting their development efforts.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Technical Knowledge: Understanding of the technology and technical concepts related to the project, including hardware, software, operating systems, and networking.
Project Management: Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage resources to ensure successful completion of the project.
Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders, customers, and team members.
Leadership: Ability to motivate and lead team members to ensure project objectives are met.
Problem-Solving: Ability to anticipate and address potential problems, develop solutions, and make decisions in a timely manner.
Time Management: Ability to manage and prioritize tasks and activities to ensure timely completion of the project.
Conflict Resolution: Ability to identify and resolve conflicts between stakeholders, customers, and team members.
Risk Management: Ability to identify, analyze, and manage risks associated with the project.

The most important skill for a IT Technical Project Manager is the ability to manage complex projects efficiently. This requires excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. strong leadership qualities, technical knowledge, and the ability to anticipate and solve problems before they arise are essential.

the successful management of IT projects requires a clear understanding of the scope of the project and the resources needed to complete it. This can be achieved by setting achievable goals, planning ahead, and monitoring progress regularly. Finally, having a good understanding of the latest trends in technology and the ability to work with different stakeholders is necessary in order to ensure the successful completion of any IT project.

Senior Project Analyst, Junior Project Analyst, and Manufacturing/Project Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How have you demonstrated your ability to manage a complex IT project?
What experience do you have in leading a technical team?
How do you ensure successful communication between all stakeholders in the project?
What techniques do you use to ensure deadlines are met?
What strategies have you used to ensure the team meets their goals?
How do you handle conflicts that arise between team members?
What is your experience with budgeting and cost management?
Describe a time when you had to adjust your project plan to meet changing requirements.
How do you identify potential risks and develop strategies to mitigate them?
What methods do you use to measure and track project performance?

Common Tools in Industry

JIRA. JIRA is a project management and issue tracking tool used by many IT project managers. It provides an easy-to-use interface to help manage complex tasks and resources. (eg: Tracking project tasks, bug reports, and customer requests)
MS Project. Microsoft Project is a project management tool used to plan, monitor, and track projects. It features Gantt charts, timelines, and resource management tools to help teams stay on track. (eg: Creating project plans, tracking progress, and managing resources)
Trello. Trello is a flexible project management tool that allows teams to organize and collaborate on projects. It features boards, lists, and cards to help teams stay organized. (eg: Collaborating on tasks, managing deadlines, and delegating tasks)
Asana. Asana is a task management and collaboration tool used for teams to manage projects and tasks. It features detailed task lists, dashboards, and reporting tools to help teams work better together. (eg: Assigning tasks, tracking progress, and reporting on milestones)
Slack. Slack is a collaboration tool used by teams to communicate and coordinate tasks. It provides an easy way to chat and share files in real-time. (eg: Sharing files, setting reminders, and discussing topics)

Professional Organizations to Know

Association for Project Management (APM)
International Project Management Association (IPMA)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Scrum Alliance
Agile Alliance
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
International Association of Project and Program Management (IAP2M)
Project Management South Africa (PMSA)
Project Management Network (PMNet)

We also have Project Supervisor, Project Controls Analyst, and Financial Services/Project Manager jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Agile Methodology. A set of principles and practices which guide the development of software projects, emphasizing collaboration between developers, customers, and stakeholders.
Scrum. A specific type of Agile methodology that utilizes sprints to quickly and efficiently deliver products.
Sprint. A set period of time during which a specific project goal is broken down into smaller tasks that can be completed within the sprint timeline.
User Stories. Short descriptions of desired functionality from the perspective of the user, which are used to define user requirements and guide the development process.
Project Estimation. The process of estimating the duration and cost of a software project.
Risk Management. The process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with a project.
Stakeholder Management. The process of managing expectations and relationships between stakeholders and the project team.
Requirements Gathering. The process of gathering the necessary information to allow for the development of a software project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of an IT Technical Project Manager?

An IT Technical Project Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, and completion of IT projects within an organization. They are responsible for managing resources, budgets, timelines, and stakeholder communication to ensure successful project delivery.

What qualifications are required to become an IT Technical Project Manager?

To become an IT Technical Project Manager, candidates should have a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, as well as relevant experience in the field. Additionally, certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) are highly recommended.

What skills are necessary for success as an IT Technical Project Manager?

Successful IT Technical Project Managers must possess strong communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills. They must also be able to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, work collaboratively with team members, and effectively communicate with stakeholders and clients.

What tools are commonly used by IT Technical Project Managers?

IT Technical Project Managers commonly use project management software such as Microsoft Project and Atlassian JIRA to track and manage tasks, timelines, budgets, and resources. Additionally, they may use software such as Slack and Microsoft Teams for communication and collaboration with team members.

What is the average salary for an IT Technical Project Manager?

According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an IT Technical Project Manager is $81,872 per year in the United States, with salaries ranging from $50,000 to $105,000 per year.