10 Key Skills of a Successful Project Manager in IT: Advice from Iuliia Mineeva

The article highlights the role of project managers in information technology (IT) project management and reflects the key skills for successful fulfilment of responsibilities in the field.

The role of the project manager in the operations of IT companies

In the field of IT, project managers play a significant role. Their responsibility is to effectively manage projects, and the quality of this management directly affects the success of the entire company.

For example, in the SBuild project, which develops a scalable platform for data integration and automation based on artificial intelligence, Iuliia Mineeva, as the founder and chief manager of the project, uses her skills to ensure successful implementation.

An experienced specialist must be able to competently control project timing, budget and content, react quickly to changes in the project, manage risks and, if necessary, show leadership skills to ensure that the project is completed within the planned deadlines, within the available financial constraints and to high quality standards. At SBuild, this is especially important because the project is focused on optimizing business operations for midsize businesses in the United States, which requires a high degree of adaptability and the ability to make complex decisions.

The Project Manager creates the project implementation plan, oversees each stage of the work, allocates resources and coordinates the team’s activities, turning ambitious ideas into tangible achievements that help companies remain competitive in a rapidly changing environment. In the case of SBuild, this includes automated ETL processes and AI-powered business analytics, allowing the team to turn ambitious ideas into tangible achievements.The project manager is responsible for creating the conditions under which the team can realise its full potential. Also acts as a liaison between the team, the customer and the various departments of the company, ensuring clear communication and unity of purpose.

Thanks to her skills and experience, Iuliia Mineeva anticipates potential risks, plans how to cope with them, and finds effective solutions in difficult situations. Thus, effective project management, as in the case of SBuild, allows the company to achieve its goals, avoid unnecessary costs and implement innovations, which makes the role of a project manager in IT key to success in a competitive environment.

According to a report by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the need for professionals with project management skills will increase significantly by 2027. It is predicted that the number of jobs requiring such competencies will reach around 88 million. Although project management skills are needed in all sectors, research shows that 63% of all corporate campaigns are IT-related. This emphasises how important project management is in this particular area.

The day-to-day responsibilities of a project manager vary depending on the level of experience and seniority. As a rule, a career in project management starts as an assistant project manager. During this period, young professionals do not have their own projects to manage and their primary responsibility is to assist the project manager with day-to-day tasks, while their main task is to learn and learn from their more senior colleagues. Entry-level professionals often focus on uncomplicated projects with clear scopes and small teams in management. Mid-level project managers take on more complex and strategic projects that involve managing a large number of stakeholders, risks and the need for long-term project development plans. Their skills and experience allow them to make the most informed decisions and anticipate potential problems. Senior professionals are often involved in projects that have a significant impact on the organisation, shaping its policies, promoting strategic initiatives, and acting as mentors for less experienced colleagues. Thus, each level of project management makes its own unique contribution to the success of IT projects and the company as a whole.

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In-demand skills for IT project management

The role of the project manager in the success of a company is often a key role, and its complexity depends on factors such as the scope of the project, the maturity of the organisation’s processes and the experience of the individual. As mentioned above, a project manager is required to effectively manage project resources and timelines, mitigate risks, control budgets and ensure clear communication between different teams of specialists. To do this, he or she needs to have knowledge of both the technical and organisational aspects of the business. Balancing these areas has become a basic skill for a successful project management professional.

There are two main types of competences that IT managers need: technical skills and soft skills.

The first group includes understanding the stages of the IT product development process, basic programming fundamentals, data management and other industry-specific aspects. This enables project managers to effectively deal with the technical aspects of a project. However, in today’s world of technology, this is not enough. Leadership, adaptability, communication and conflict resolution skills play an equally important role. They help to facilitate interaction between team members and stakeholders, and contribute to a productive and harmonious working environment. Both types of skills are equally important to get a foothold and excel in a position, as it is impossible to make informed decisions without technical competence, and it is impossible to establish effective co-operation between all project participants without agile skills.

Let’s take a look at some of the key skills that most employers believe IT project managers should possess.

1. Self-organisation:

A project manager is faced with a multitude of tasks, from planning to controlling the execution of work, and needs to manage their time effectively in order to get everything done on time. Good self-organisation allows the project manager to prioritise tasks, avoid procrastination and focus on the most important aspects of the project. This not only increases productivity but also avoids stress and overwhelm. A self-organised project manager is able to better analyse information and make more informed decisions. Without high organisational skills, decision making can be based on emotion or lack of information, which can negatively impact a project. In today’s business environment, where the pace of change is accelerating, self-organisation is becoming not just a useful quality, but an essential requirement for success in project management.

2. Time Management:

Time management skills are an integral part of successful project management. Recruitment experts emphasise that without the ability to manage time effectively, it is impossible to achieve goals and ensure timely completion of tasks. When time management skills are at a high level, teams work cohesively and projects move forward as planned.

3. Managing multiple tasks:

A project manager often works on multiple projects simultaneously and has multiple communications with different stakeholders. The ability to switch between tasks during the working day without losing focus on important details or losing sight of priorities are imperative skills that allow a manager to remain effective.

4. Goal setting:

Formulating objectives is one of the core competences of an IT project manager. He should be able to break down the overall goal into smaller and more manageable steps to avoid overloading both himself and the team. This approach makes the work process simpler, more organised and focused. Effective goal setting results in achieving important milestones in the project lifecycle, achieving key deliverables, and gaining stakeholder approval.

5. Leadership:

Project managers must have strong leadership skills, as they oversee all initiatives and manage teams of IT professionals. Important aspects of leadership include active listening, empathy, organisation and a strong ethical stance. These qualities are not usually developed through traditional training, but through the hands-on experience that comes with working on real-world projects.

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6. Ability to make complex decisions:

Critical thinking and informed decision making are an important part of the work of IT professionals. Successful leaders have the skills to make difficult decisions in a timely and confident manner, whether in a team or alone. Their creativity enhances their ability to find optimal solutions in challenging situations.

7. Responsibility:

A project manager’s responsibilities encompass many aspects, including planning, project implementation, team coordination, communication with all participants, and project completion. In addition, project managers should be ready to be responsible not only for their own decisions, but also for the decisions made by the team, as well as for the team’s performance and the overall team result.

8. Adaptability:

A specific feature of the IT industry is its constant change and continuous innovation in the field, and a specific feature of IT projects is the change of requirements, often entailing the need to adjust deadlines and budgets. The project manager, more than anyone else, must be able to adapt to new situations, technologies, requirements, expectations and new team members. With all the changes associated with digital project management, technical managers cannot do their jobs effectively without adaptation skills.

9. Understanding the principles of budgeting:

According to a Mckinsey study, only 59% of organisations recognise that campaigns are executed within budget. Experienced project managers have the skills to effectively develop and maintain a viable budget throughout the task cycle. They know how to allocate resources wisely, which helps achieve goals without exceeding financial limits.

10. Reliability and competence:

Employers set high expectations for the reliability and competence of their employees. With increasing demands for risk management and cybersecurity, a reliable IT project manager becomes indispensable. Moreover, with the rise of stringent regulatory requirements, skilled project managers help organisations maintain compliance and deal effectively with the challenges that arise.

In conclusion

we would like to summarise that effective IT project management requires a combination of good skills that encompass both technical and personal characteristics. An effective project manager should have IT knowledge, be capable of creative problem solving and confident in making complex decisions. At the same time, soft skills play a key role in managing a team and ensuring that project deliverables are met. Combining these skills enables a successful project manager to effectively meet challenges, achieve objectives, implement the project and improve performance.

Sources:

Project Management Statistics, Updated – Sep 04, 2023, www.enterpriseappstoday.com, (https://www.enterpriseappstoday.com/stats/project-management-statistics.html )

TRENDS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROJECT MANAGEMENT, 2016, University of Puerto Rico, (https://iacis.org/iis/2016/3_iis_2016_187-198.pdf )

Software Project Manager Salary Statistics: Latest Data & Summary, Last Edited: June 17, 2024, wifitalents.com, (https://wifitalents.com/statistic/software-project-manager-salary/