Being a project manager in the tech space can be a challenging task.
As you carry a huge amount of influence with you, there are so many factors to consider, and just as many ways to mess up.
But with the right tools and knowledge, it can be an incredibly rewarding title.
Project management is a critical component of any tech company. In fact, a study by PMI reveals that around £1 million is wasted every 20 seconds collectively by global organisations due to ineffective and poor project management practices.
With digitisation and transformation on the rise, it’s incredibly important for project managers in the tech space to have the right tools and knowledge to succeed.
Here are 5 tips to help project managers improve their game in the tech space.
1. Understand The Business & The Technology
The first step for any project manager is to understand the business they are in, as well as the technology and toolsets they are working with.
This means understanding the goals of the company and the specific needs of the project.
As leaders, PMs need to have the ability to see the bigger picture and understand how their specific project contributes to the overall mission of the company. They ultimately inform every decision that gets made and need to instil trust in the team that they are working with.
The same goes for understanding the different types of technology and toolsets available to them. For example, learning how to use Monday.com to implement and measure the different systems that might be carried out.
2. Be Comfortable Managing Expectations
As the head of delivery for a project, PMs need to be comfortable with not only managing the project that they are overseeing, but also managing the expectations of stakeholders.
This includes setting realistic goals and timelines, communicating effectively, and being transparent about risks and challenges.
Setting Realistic Goals and Timelines
PMs need to be realistic about what they can accomplish within any given timeframe and have the ability to set clear milestones. They usually make processes like this easier by breaking down the project into smaller tasks and creating a detailed project plan.
Being Transparent About Risks and Challenges
This means being honest about any potential risks or challenges that could impact the project. PMs also ensure that they have a plan in place to mitigate any of these risks.
They practice transparency by creating a risk management plan and sharing it with all necessary stakeholders.
3. Communicate Effectively
Project managers need to be able to communicate effectively with their team, stakeholders, and clients.
This includes being clear and concise in all communications, as well as creating a communication plan that outlines how and when to share information.
Effective communication is crucial because:
- It helps ensure that everyone is on the same page
- It builds trust and credibility
- It can help prevent misunderstandings and conflict
4. Have a Solid Understanding of Agile Methodology
Agile is a project management approach that is based on the principles of agile software development.
It emphasises collaboration, flexibility, and adaptive planning. While flexible in that it can be used for any type of project, it is most commonly used for software development projects.
And Agile has become the standard for many successful tech projects: A 2018 study concluded that Agile projects are statistically 2x more likely to succeed and 1/3 less likely to fail than Waterfall projects.
To succeed in the tech space, project managers need to have a solid understanding of agile principles and how to apply them to their specific project.
5. Be able to adapt and change as needed
Projects are always changing, and project managers need to be able to adapt and change with them.
This includes being flexible with the timeline, scope, and budget as needed.
It also means being open to new ideas and approaches. For example, if the team that a PM is running is not meeting its deadlines, they may need to change their approach and be more flexible with the timeline and budget.
PMs work on projects that are constantly changing and have to remain adaptable, as well as open to new ideas.
