IT Project Manager Careers
IT Project Managers use technical and management skills to plan and co-ordinate IT projects. They try to make sure that all the planned activities are finished on time, that they are of a high quality, to specification and within the budget.
Work Activities
IT project managers plan, manage and co-ordinate IT projects and teams. They might be involved in a large installation of new hardware or software, or they might work with a team of consultants and developers writing new computer applications for a customer, for example:
At the start of a project, a business case is produced. This outlines the purpose of the project and compares the costs with the expected savings or benefits. The customer or user of the system has to approve this before work can begin.
Project managers then speak to the people who will eventually use, or be responsible for, the system, to find out exactly what they need. They might take responsibility for costing and pricing the project, and agreeing the budget. The detailed work in preparing this information might be carried out by others, such as systems analysts.
They also agree the specific items to be delivered by the project with the customer or user, and set start and end dates; then they use their technical skills to plan out the activities that are required and the order they need to be done in.
Project managers prepare the project definition document (sometimes called the roject brief) that will define the project. They can then decide on what skills are required and who the project team members should be.
They analyse projects to see if there are risks attached to them, for example, if there is a chance that hardware will not be delivered on time. They try to minimise these risks right from the start, as well as throughout the project, and build in some extra time if they judge that it might be needed.
They often use specialist computer software packages to plan all the project activities, and to decide when each one needs to be completed by.
Some activities can be carried out at the same time, if there are enough people to do the tasks, but other tasks have to be completed in sequence. (A general example of his idea is when building a house, the foundations must be laid before the walls are started.)
Project managers make sure that the members of the project team have the tools and resources they need to do the job. They monitor the progress of the project and report regularly to the customer or users.
They might, for example, arrange regular meetings where progress is discussed and any problems are raised. The project manager tries to anticipate problems and find solutions to resolve conflicts.
Project managers keep track of how much money and time have been spent on the project; they try to find ways to complete all the planned activities successfully, on ime, within the amount of money allowed and to the quality specified.
The project manager is responsible for making sure that the customer accepts the project when it is handed over by the project team.
At the end of each project, the project manager reviews what went well and not so well, so that the performance of the team and the quality of the products or service can be improved.
Some project managers might have to travel around to visit different customers or sites. Those working in IT consultancies might have clients in different countries and if so, foreign travel is a normal part of their work.
Personal Qualities and Skills
As an IT project manager, you will need:
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To be a good planner who can prioritise tasks.
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Time management skills.
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A logical approach to analysis and problem solving.
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To be able to think ahead and keep calm under pressure.
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Communication skills; you should be a good listener and you will also need to be able to speak well in front of groups of people.
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Management skills; you should be able to lead and motivate others.
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To enjoy working in a team.
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Good negotiating and persuading skills.
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To be confident, adaptable, tactful and decisive.
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Number skills in order to keep close financial control of projects.
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Good written communication skills to produce reports.
You will often need technical IT skills. You might need to enjoy travelling and may need a full driving licence if you work for an IT consultancy company.
Pay and Opportunities
The pay rates given below are approximate.
IT project managers earn in the range of £26,000 - £33,000 a year, rising to £43,500 - £58,500. Higher earners can make around £77,000 a year.
Project managers' working weeks are based around office hours, Monday to Friday. However, they sometimes work in the evening and at weekends according to the demands of the project, and especially when nearing deadlines.
Employers throughout the UK include computer manufacturers, software houses and ICT consultancies. Jobs are also with employers in industry and commerce, including banking, finance and insurance, and in the public sector, with local and central government departments, the NHS and public utilities, such as gas, electric and water companies.
Some IT project managers work on a freelance or consultancy basis, usually on short-term contracts, for the life of the project.
There may be opportunities to work in other countries.
Entry Routes and Training
Many IT project managers have previous experience as computer systems analysts, consultants or developers/programmers.
Entrants to computing jobs are usually graduates. Degrees/HNDs/HNCs and foundation degrees in relevant computing subjects are widely available. Graduates in other degree subjects can take a postgraduate conversion course in IT.
The e-skills IT Professional Development Programme is a flexible modular programme designed with employers to fast-track the careers of new IT professionals by building graduates' skills levels. It is a pilot programme being delivered by a number of universities and employers using a mix of learning techniques including classroom teaching, work-based learning and technology-based learning. Participants in the programme gain credits towards a PG Cert, PG Dip or a full MSc. See the e-skills website for further details.
A number of universities offer the Information Technology Management for Business degree that has been jointly developed with major employers. Contact e-skills UK for more information.
Other IT project managers enter after gaining skills in general business management.
The Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB), a division of the British Computer Society (BCS), offers the Certificate in IS Project Management for people with management or information systems experience, or proven project management experience. Candidates attend an accredited training course and then sit written and oral exams.
The ISEB also offers the Foundation Certificate in IS Project Management for people new to project management as well as other people involved in IT projects.
The Association for Project Management (APM) offers a foundation professional examination for recently appointed project managers. This is known as the APMP and is based on the Association's standard Body of Knowledge. The APM also offers an introductory certificate, which provides a basic overview of project management principles.
The APM has an intermediate qualification, the Practitioner Qualification. It also offers a higher qualification, the Certificated Project Manager, for people with more experience. This is achieved through self-assessment, a report of a project managed by the candidate and a professional interview.
The Project Management Institute offers the Project Management Professional certification for practitioners with experience.
Short courses are available in the use of project management software packages and many specific project management topics.
Some project managers take a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in order to get a greater understanding of the business process. MBAs are widely available part-time and by distance learning.
Qualifications
For entry to a degree/HND course in a computing or business subject, the usual requirements are:
GCSEs in vocational subjects, such as Applied ICT or Applied Business, may be acceptable as an alternative to academic GCSEs.
Relevant vocational (work-related) qualifications such as a Progression or Advanced Diploma in IT or Edexcel (BTEC) National qualifications may also be considered as alternatives to one or more A levels for entry to some degrees. Check prospectuses carefully.
Adult Opportunities
It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
New entrants normally have an IT-related degree, for example, computing science. However, entry is possible for graduates with non-IT related subjects, if they can provide evidence of IT technical ability. Taking a postgraduate IT conversion course will improve your chances of employment.
If you don't have the usual qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course, eg, Access to IT/Computing, could be the way in. These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.
Relevant distance learning and flexible learning courses are available at a number of centres; these include:
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The Association for Project Management (APM) offers an introductory certificate (APM-IC), and further qualifications at three levels: foundation, practitioner and certificated project manager.
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PRINCE 2 project management courses. Further information and a full list of providers is available on the APM Group website.
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The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offers relevant project managementqualifications. Further information and a full list of providers is available from the CMI.
A large number of institutions offer relevant postgraduate courses, leading to MSc or MBA qualifications. Normally, candidates hold a first degree and have experience of project management.
Applicants should check with centres for current entry requirements.
Further Information
Resources
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Careers & Jobs in IT D Yardley Kogan Page
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Professional Issues in Information Technology Frank Bott British Computer Society
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Project Management in the Real World Elizabeth Harrin British Computer Society
Contacts
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Association for Project Management, Careers Information, 150 West Wycombe Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP12 3AE
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British Computer Society, 1st Floor, Block D, North Star House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, Wiltshire SN2 1FA
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Queen's University of Belfast, University Road, Belfast BT7 1NN Irish Enquiries
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e-skills UK, 1 Castle Lane, London SW1E 6DR
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