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

Nov 21, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The rise of technology has had a significant effect on the role of the technical project manager. With the increased demand for digital products and services, the need for technical project managers has grown dramatically. They are responsible for overseeing the development, implementation and management of projects, ensuring that they are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

Technical project managers must possess a unique combination of technical knowledge and soft skills, such as problem-solving, communication, and leadership, in order to effectively manage a project. As a result, many companies have invested heavily in training and development programs to ensure their technical project managers have the necessary skills and expertise to manage projects successfully.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Most employers require Technical Project Managers to hold a bachelor's degree in a field related to engineering, computer science, or information technology.
Obtain Relevant Work Experience. Many employers look for Technical Project Managers with at least five years of industry experience in the field.
Get Certified. Obtaining professional certification can help demonstrate a level of expertise and commitment to the profession. Relevant certifications include PMP (Project Management Professional) or Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
Develop Soft Skills. Technical Project Managers need strong interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to lead teams and motivate people.
Consider Specializing. Consider specializing in a specific technology, such as cloud computing, mobile development, or artificial intelligence.
Pursue Continuing Education. Keeping up with the latest technologies and trends is important for Technical Project Managers. Consider pursuing continuing education or attending industry conferences to stay abreast of changes in the field.

In order to stay up-to-date and capable as a Technical Project Manager, a good approach is to continuously learn and develop new skills. This can be done by attending seminars, taking classes, reading books, or participating in online learning platforms. staying in touch with the technological advancements in the industry, such as following new software releases, can help to stay informed and capable.

Furthermore, networking with other professionals and exchanging ideas can help to understand what tools are being used in the industry. Finally, collaborating with colleagues and working on projects with them can give a better understanding of how different technologies work together. All these approaches can help Technical Project Managers to keep updated and capable.

You may want to check Technical Support Analyst, Technical Consultant, and Technical Solutions Architect for alternative.

Job Description

Lead technical projects from concept to completion, while adhering to deadlines, budgets and quality standards.
Develop detailed project plans, work breakdown structures, schedules, resource plans and status reports.
Manage project scope and make adjustments to ensure project objectives are met.
Monitor project progress and address any issues that arise.
Ensure successful delivery of projects through effective coordination with stakeholders and team members.
Create and maintain project documents such as requirements, design, test plans and user manuals.
Provide technical guidance to project team members and resolve technical issues.
Liaise with external vendors to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget.
Identify risks in the project and develop mitigation strategies.
Analyze project performance and report results to management.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Technical skills: Knowledge of engineering principles, software development lifecycle, IT architecture, and system design.
Project Management: Experience in project planning, budgeting, resource allocation, and risk management.
Leadership: Ability to lead and motivate teams, build consensus, and make decisions.
Communication: Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
Problem-Solving: Ability to identify and analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions.
Strategic Thinking: Understanding of business needs and objectives, and the capacity to develop long-term strategies to meet them.
Organizational Skills: Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and prioritize workloads to meet tight deadlines.
Interpersonal Skills: Effective relationship building and negotiation skills.
Time Management: Proficiency in setting and meeting timelines.
System Administration: Knowledge of system architectures, networking, security protocols, and systems operations.

Technical Project Managers must possess a variety of skills to successfully manage projects. One of the most important skills for a Technical Project Manager is the ability to effectively communicate. A Technical Project Manager must be able to clearly articulate project goals, expectations, and deadlines to team members, stakeholders, and clients alike.

In addition, a Technical Project Manager must be able to effectively manage conflict, understand emerging technologies, and motivate teams. Without effective communication and conflict management skills, it is difficult for a Technical Project Manager to ensure successful project completion. Furthermore, the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies is essential to ensure that projects stay on track and remain competitive in today's ever-changing business landscape.

Finally, the ability to motivate teams is a key skill that allows Technical Project Managers to drive their teams towards success. These skills are essential for any Technical Project Manager and will be necessary for the successful execution of any project.

Technical Program Manager, Technical Artist, and Technical Account Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you ensure that a project stays on track and within budget?
Describe a challenging project you have managed from start to finish.
How do you handle the coordination and communication of stakeholders on a project?
What experience do you have in developing and managing project management plans?
What strategies do you use to manage risks and issues on a project?
How do you handle scope creep and changing requirements on a project?
What techniques do you use to ensure successful delivery of projects?
How do you approach problem-solving and decision-making on a project?
How do you ensure that project deliverables meet customer needs?
Describe your experience in leading and motivating a team.

Common Tools in Industry

Project Management Software. Project management software helps manage tasks, resources, timelines, and budgets on projects. (Eg: Trello)
Gantt Charts. Gantt Charts are graphical representations of a project timeline which help track progress. (Eg: Microsoft Project)
Issue Tracking Software. Issue tracking software helps teams log and track issues that arise during the development process. (Eg: JIRA)
Communication Tools. Communication tools help teams collaborate and communicate with each other remotely. (Eg: Slack)
Documentation Software. Documentation software helps teams create and maintain project documentation, such as specifications and user guides. (Eg: Confluence)
Agile Methodology Tools. Agile methodology tools provide frameworks and processes to help teams plan, develop, and deliver projects using Agile methodology. (Eg: Scrumwise)
Version Control Software. Version control software helps teams keep track of changes to their source code over time. (Eg: Git)
Testing Tools. Testing tools help teams ensure that their product meets quality standards before it is released. (Eg: Selenium)
Requirements Management Software. Requirements management software helps teams keep track of the requirements for a project and ensure that they are met. (Eg: IBM DOORS)
Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) Tools. CI/CD tools help teams automate the process of building, testing, and deploying software. (Eg: Jenkins)

Professional Organizations to Know

Project Management Institute (PMI)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Society for Technical Communication (STC)
IEEE Computer Society
International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC)
Agile Alliance
Association for Project Management (APM)

We also have Technical Support Engineer, Technical Product Manager, and Technical Business Analyst jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Agile Project Management. A project management approach that focuses on delivering the highest value to the customer in the shortest amount of time, by breaking down projects into smaller, iterative cycles.
Scrum. A framework for managing complex projects in a structured, iterative manner. It is based on an iterative and incremental development process, where progress is measured and reported on a regular basis.
Kanban. A visual system for managing workflow. It is based on a pull system, where tasks are pulled from the workflow and completed as needed.
Waterfall Model. A linear approach to project management, where each phase of the project is completed before the next one begins.
Risk Management. The practice of identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with a project or enterprise.
Change Management. A structured approach to managing change and minimizing disruption. It involves assessing the impact of a change, developing strategies to address it, and implementing plans to ensure successful adoption and implementation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the role of a Technical Project Manager? A1: A Technical Project Manager is responsible for managing a team of engineers to deliver technical solutions on time and within budget. They coordinate the activities of the team, manage the resources, monitor progress, and ensure effective communication between stakeholders. Q2: What qualifications are needed to be a Technical Project Manager? A2: Technical Project Managers typically need a degree in engineering, computer science, or a related field, as well as experience working with engineering teams and managing projects. Knowledge of project management methodologies and processes is also important. Q3: What are the main responsibilities of a Technical Project Manager? A3: The primary responsibilities of a Technical Project Manager include leading the engineering team, project planning, budgeting and cost control, resource allocation, risk management, communication, and stakeholder management. Q4: How many people does a Technical Project Manager typically manage? A4: Depending on the size of the project, a Technical Project Manager can manage anywhere from a few engineers to a large team of 10 or more. Q5: How long does it typically take to complete a project managed by a Technical Project Manager? A5: The length of time to complete a project depends on the size and complexity of the project. Generally, projects can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete.