Project Managers (PMs) exist across multiple industry sectors. Particularly in today’s age where nearly all organizations rely on information and communication technology, the importance of ‘IT Project Managers’ is increasing.
Let’s understand the role of a PM in deciding the success or failure of IT projects such as software, web, and app development, and how they aid in achieving a company’s business goals.
Meaning of PM
PM stands for Project Manager or Product Manager. In IT, they plan and help with projects related to software, mobile apps, websites, etc. They are like service planners, web planners, app planners and platform planners.
What does a PM do?
A project manager is someone who specializes in overseeing and ensuring that every aspect of a project is successfully completed to create a high-quality end product.
Project managers (PMs) have the responsibility of overseeing the entire project to ensure that tasks are completed within budget, on time, and with minimal work interruptions. To better understand the role of a PM, we can break down the process into five main stages as follows:
Initiation – Set the project’s goals and write a project proposal that fits the organization’s needs, including a business plan.
Planning – Set the project’s scope, determine the budget, and allocate resources. Also, find the optimal solution for the team to achieve the goals successfully. This can include creating a storyboard.
Execution – According to the project plan, the entire team led by the PM performs tasks in each part (design, development, etc.). The ultimate goal is to create a deliverable.
Monitoring – It is also the PM’s role to monitor the work related to the project’s scope set in the planning stage and corresponding time, cost, quality, and other factors. If necessary, the PM ensures the project progresses smoothly through work adjustments and resource redistribution.
Closure – At the end of each stage, and at the final stage of the project, check and approve whether all work has been completed. The project is now finally delivered to all stakeholders, customers, and clients. This can include subsequent steps such as forming a support team, educating end-users, and post-management.
The Importance of PM (Project Manager) in IT Projects
– Project Manager in IT projects is like a conductor of an orchestra.
They need to know the whole picture and all the small details. The team needs someone who can plan, do things, and keep the team on track to reach its goals.
In IT projects where the outcome is clear, such as website development, mobile apps, systems, or digital products and services, companies hire project managers.
These PMs leverage their expertise and skills to make the right decisions and lead their teams to optimum results.
Difference Between PM and Department Head
Many people think that the project manager and department head do the same job. But this is not true. They have different jobs and need different skills.
A department head managing routine work within a department focuses on ‘maximizing efficiency‘, i.e., achieving the maximum output with minimal resources.
On the other hand, in IT projects, PMs work with experts from diverse fields like designers, developers, and more on a new project.
Therefore, they need the agility to quickly establish teamwork among team members with different areas of expertise.
They should also be catalysts, providing creative alternatives when unexpected problems arise.
Why PM’s Competency Determines the Success or Failure of IT Projects
As discussed, the role and required competencies of project managers differ from those of department heads. The specifics of IT projects cannot be overemphasized.
Although a team consists of experts like designers and developers, they each have expertise in different fields. Each of them performs their role from their perspective.
Thus, the one who ties them into a team and constantly directs them toward achieving a common goal is the PM.
PM’s Core Competencies – Leadership and Communication Skills
Leadership is not merely the ability to encourage and control team members. It originates from the ability to clearly present the ultimate goal and the short-term objectives in the process.
For example, when making a website, it is important to plan out what the website should do and how it should look.
If you jump right into the design without making a plan, then the designer does not really know what they are making. This is like trying to take a trip without directions.
The PM, who knows the product being developed best, must present the long-term goals of IT product planning connected to business performance and the short-term tasks to achieve them.
Each team member can then better understand their assigned tasks and achieve their objectives.
In addition to leadership, communication skills are also a core competency of PMs. Each person in charge is a specialist in their field, and they may struggle to understand the language of other departments.
Therefore, project managers must ensure that all team members have a clear understanding of the project’s objectives, work processes, and their respective roles in order to enable them to perform effectively at the same level.
PM’s Project Success Case – Avery Dennison, the American Office Supply Company
Project managers must maintain a balance between the long-term goals and short-term achievements of an organization. It’s important to lead not just the project’s progress but also to achieve actual success.
This is evident in the case of Avery Dennison, an American office supply company.
Under the CEO’s guidance, the company aimed for revenue growth through innovation, driving a two-stage strategy of company-wide revenue growth in the first stage, and operational strategy per sector in the second.
The leader of the first stage prioritized the progress over results. While the project proceeded as scheduled, the revenue growth over two years fell short of expectations – a business failure.
On the other hand, the newly appointed leader of the second phase formed 15 small project teams, each with realistic goals to be achieved within 100 days.
What were the results?
By the end of the first quarter, there was an additional revenue of $8 million, and by the end of the year, there was an increase in revenue of up to $50 million, marking significant success.
Whereas the first phase lacked a connection between the project process and results, the second phase successfully linked the tasks directly to actual performance.
By associating each team’s organization and short-term tasks, the project achieved great success.
This can be applied to IT projects as well. Whether it’s planning a website, a mobile app, or a platform, there are objectives. And the capability of the Project Manager (PM) is evaluated based on the ability to achieve these actual goals.
Rather than simply managing the project schedule, the PM must link each team’s organization, offer solutions as required, and exhibit leadership in adjusting tasks to derive the best project outcomes.
If you are looking for an IT specialist with multiple project experiences and these abilities, consider hiring a freelance PM on Elancer.
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Given the nature of IT projects where results are clear, the role of a PM in leading a project’s goals to business success becomes more important.
If you are looking for a PM needed for your company’s IT project, whether it’s planning a website, mobile app, or platform, register your project on Elancer now.
Through the recommendations of Elancer’s dedicated managers, you will meet verified talent with both project experience and capabilities.
