How to become an IT Project Manager

The field of project management is increasing at a rapid pace, and along with this growth comes positive results for organizations around the world.

Information Technology Project management is growing because computers are at the heart of everything a business does. Having competent IT Project Managers that understand correct procedures for doing IT projects give businesses a higher rate of success.

So, you want to know how to become an IT Project Manager? We’ll tell you, plus give you details into their work life.

What does being an IT project manager actually mean?

Information Technology Project Managers are just like any other project manager, with the difference being that their role is more technical. They plan, organize, and ensure that the information technology functions and other business functions work together for the scope of the project. They will ensure that the information technology project goes well from inception to its completion.

IT Project Manager Skills & Responsibilities

IT Project Managers are responsible for overseeing IT-related projects of an organization. The hard skills are well known (if not, they’ll be discussed in a second), but IT Project Managers excel with people too. They will have the ability to convey their vision to their team and understand and work with different personalities to get things done.

The hard skills include software engineering and development, computer programming and systems design, business management, people management, and others. On IT Project Manager job postings, the requirements you will often see are Scrum, Agile, JAVA, SAP, Oracle, Systems development life cycle (SDLC), SQL, contract management, mentoring, etc. It’s not possible to be skilled in all, but IT Project Managers are multi-skilled.

What does an IT project manager actually do?

Generally, the typical day for an IT Project Manager usually looks like this: manage a team and other personnel, checking to see if the project is on track to meet budget constraints and the deadline, and communicating with the client and other stakeholders. Specifically, the day is usually shared between project management, technology operations, and general management.

How to become an IT Project Manager

Like any other managerial job, you will have to apply for it or get promoted to it. You do so by having the necessary experience and education.

You will not find an IT Project Manager without experience and extensive educational background. Having certifications is definitely the way to go for those without the usual degree. We’ll explain why later and tell you what the best certifications are for an IT Project Manager.

Education requirements

Most IT Project Management positions will require you to have a first degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. Many employers prefer their candidates to have a Master’s degree, but they usually ask for those with a Bachelor’s degree.

However, the education you receive with certification programs such as PMP, PMI-ACP, Certified ScrumMaster, etc., gives you the necessary skills and knowledge of project management processes and the IT domain. Certification programs do this in a shorter period of time.

Even if you don’t have a degree, certification programs put you on equal footing with those with a degree.

IT Project Management Training

To become an IT Project Manager, prospective candidates validate their work history and education. They will then look to either go back to school or get certified in an IT or project management field. Getting a degree is great, but we advocate for certifications because they give you the required knowledge and skills in a shorter period of time. Plus, they look good on your resume.

Not all certifications are made equal. You have to choose wisely for what you want based on the goals and plans for your career. There are some specific certifications such as in Java, Microsoft products, and security that will take too much time to discuss, so let’s talk about certifications that will get you any job in IT Project Management.

Project Management Certifications

Some popular PM certifications that you can get from PMI include the CAPM, PMP and PMI-ACP certifications. These programs help candidates show off their skills and knowledge at different levels of their careers. The CAPM certification is the most basic one you can get, while the PMP certification is the most advanced.

There are others that are more specific to the tech industry that you should definitely look at. These include the CompTIA Project+, MPM (Master Project Manager), and CSM (Certified ScrumMaster). They all pay top dollar, along with the PMP and PMI-ACP certifications.

Which are the most important PM certificates out there?

The PMP certification is the most popular one in regards to the project management profession. It is the gold standard, even in the IT world. However, it can take a while to qualify.

We say this because prospective PMP candidates need up to 7500 hours of project management experience over 3-5 years to apply. Even if you choose to do a less stringent certification, getting into IT Project Management without experience is difficult.

In the tech world, Agile is king. Certifications such as the PMI-ACP are much more accessible, and they look just as good to many employers when it’s on your resume. The PMI-ACP certification remains the most popular Agile-related certification to do, but there are other options, such as the CSM (Certified ScrumMaster).

We do advise that you get your PMP certification first. Doing this will make it easier to get the PMI-ACP and other certifications.

IT Project Manager Salary

If you live in the United States, you can expect a salary of around $92,000, depending on the state or city that you live in. With the right certifications, such as the PMP Certification, you can earn even more.

IT Career Paths

Becoming a great IT Project Manager sets you up for even greater things in your professional life. Many people in this position go on to become portfolio managers, or department directors, or C-level executives. Some go on to run their own companies. The skills and qualities you gain in this process will set you up for a very rewarding professional life.

Project manager career problems

One big thing that each project manager has to deal with is failure. Failed IT projects have the potential of bringing down companies. As much as 17% of large-scale IT projects threaten the company’s very existence. Also, IT projects fail between 5% and 15% of the time, which accounts for $50 to $150 billion in losses each year.

However, following correct project management procedures are a great safeguard against this. The PMI states that for every billion dollars invested, 99 million dollars is wasted due to poor project management processes!

Advice for beginners from experienced project managers

If you are already in a technical role, you could start by simply asking for more responsibility from your supervisors. Being proactive and assertive are qualities every leader should have, so get close to your team leaders and your project manager.

Also, as we’ve said before, focus on certifications to get ahead. Start with the general ones like CAPM, PMP, Certified ScrumMaster, and PMI-ACP, and move on to specialized ones afterward.

Summary

In a world where computer systems run entire large-scale operations, the role of the IT Project Manager is as important as ever. Whether you want to rise up the ranks of your current company or get a job at another company, follow our advice and you’ll achieve your IT Project Management goals.