Information Technology Project Manager
An Information Technology Project Manager, commonly referred to as an IT project manager, plays a crucial role in overseeing the design and implementation of information technology systems within various organizations. Their responsibilities encompass understanding the specific IT needs of a business, directing technical staff, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. With the increasing reliance on technology across industries, IT project managers are essential in facilitating effective communication between departments and managing the progress of multiple concurrent projects.
These professionals typically work in administrative settings, fostering collaboration among coworkers, vendors, and technical teams. A successful IT project manager is often characterized by strong communication and interpersonal skills, along with a solid foundation in computer science or related fields. Daily tasks may include project planning, monitoring active initiatives, and reporting to executive management about project outcomes. Educational pathways into this field can include undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in information technology or project management, often combined with practical experience through internships or related jobs. Overall, IT project management is a dynamic and demanding career that requires a blend of technical knowledge, managerial acumen, and the ability to navigate complex IT environments.
Information Technology Project Manager
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Business, Management & Administration, Information Technology, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Interests: Science, technology, mathematics, computer science, multi-tasking, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median):$164,070 per year $78.88 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 15% (Much faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Related Work Experience 5 years or more
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work.Information technology project managers, often abbreviated as IT project managers, oversee the design and implementation of information technology systems and related infrastructure. The proliferation of computer systems throughout the world has made IT project managers relevant in nearly every type of business and industry. IT project managers work closely with other managers in their organization to understand the company’s IT needs. They direct and supervise the technical staff in implementing the necessary hardware or software to address those needs, such as data storage, network security, or inventory management. IT project managers are also responsible for ensuring that all IT projects are completed within budget and on schedule.
Work Environment. IT project management professionals work primarily in administrative and office settings, although their exact locations may vary depending on their area of expertise and the type of company that employs them. The work of IT project managers requires extensive interaction with coworkers, outside vendors, and technical staff members. IT project managers must be able to draw out and interpret the specific IT needs of a department or organization and utilize that feedback to develop customized systems. Project managers are also supervisors charged with ensuring that their staff of IT professionals is continually contributing to project advancement in a timely and organized manner.
Occupation Interest. IT project managers are results-oriented multi-taskers who thrive in environments where numerous tasks and objectives are active simultaneously. IT project management covers a diverse array of scientific, technical, and managerial knowledge and skills. The majority of IT project management professionals are graduates and professionals who have a strong foundation in mathematics, computer engineering, programming, or computer science. Many IT professionals also possess an academic or professional background in software development, database management, or IT project administration.
Many universities now offer specific undergraduate and postgraduate programs in information technology and project management, but many professionals enter the field with professional and academic backgrounds that span a wide variety of computer-science disciplines. IT project managers must have strong communication and interpersonal skills as well as excellent management skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A day in the life of an IT project manager involves planning future projects, monitoring the progress of projects that are currently active, and overseeing system maintenance, upkeep, and security tasks. These numerous responsibilities require IT managers to work in close coordination with their staff, which can vary in size and scope depending on their organization of employment and particular industry segment.
In addition to monitoring the progress of active projects, IT project managers also spend a considerable amount of time developing project plans for new initiatives in collaboration with other departmental and organizational staff members. Before work begins on new IT projects, the entire scope of each initiative must be outlined, with specific focus on the systems, schedules, funding, and required staff for each project.
IT project managers hold frequent meetings with subordinates to gauge the progress of active projects. In addition to providing technological and strategic input to resolve project delays or other concerns, IT project managers must also be able to prevent future problems through forethought and a reliance on previous project experience.
IT project managers are often responsible for reporting to executive management in order to outline the successes of previously implemented projects and to address any IT-related concerns relevant to a company or organization as a whole.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. IT project managers work in a variety of settings across all types of business and industry, including corporate offices, schools, government offices, transportation centers, and industrial or medical settings.
Human Environment. IT project managers must be savvy communicators who can successfully supervise, manage, and coordinate a variety of professionals on a daily basis.
Technological Environment. IT project managers utilize a broad range of technologies, including collaborative operational software, application servers, networking servers, web-development software, and programming languages.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students can prepare for a career in IT project management by completing course work in algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, computer programming, and computer science. Advanced placement (AP) classes in computer-related subjects are especially recommended.
Participation in volunteer work, charities, or team sports can help foster the leadership and managerial skills necessary for large-scale project management. Many IT professionals gain additional experience through summer jobs or internships with computer-related organizations. Supplemental information technology courses offered by universities and community colleges are also helpful.
Postsecondary. Undergraduate programs related to IT include core course work in UNIX system administration software and programming languages such as Java and C+. In addition to a survey of wireless-network technology and database-management techniques, undergraduate IT students also study business models, network security systems, and infrastructure, as well as information-security management.
Postgraduate and doctoral-level programs in information technology are traditionally dedicated to the exploration and discovery of new strategies and technologies, grounded in a strong foundational knowledge of the history of the field. Graduate students are required to complete a thesis or capstone project related to an emerging trend in information technology; this is often highly specialized work that can be an important precursor for their professional growth and eventual career path.
Related Occupations
− Computer & Information Systems Manager
− General Manager & Top Executive
− Information Security Analyst
− Medical Records Administrator
− Network & Computer Systems Administrator
Bibliography
"Computer and Information Systems Managers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm. Accessed 20 Sept. 2023.