Project managers can assign tasks to software engineering teams following task specifications and manage software projects. Software project managers lead their teams and make sure the software complies with client requirements using their technical expertise, leadership abilities, and experience. You can decide if becoming a project manager is the right career for you by becoming familiar with their responsibilities.
In this article, we define project managers in the context of software, outline typical job duties, and offer tips on how to become one.
Who Is A Project Manager?
A project manager is a professional who manages projects while adhering to constraints such as budgets and deadlines. They oversee the work of entire teams, consult with stakeholders, and see projects through to completion. Furthermore, a project manager is accountable for the success or failure of the project, regardless of whether they are managing a marketing campaign or launching a new product.
Almost every industry has a demand for project managers. Let’s examine what project managers do in more detail, the benefits of pursuing a career in project management, and how to get started.
What Do You Do As A Project Manager?
The size of the projects a project manager is working on frequently affects the duties that need to be performed. A software project manager’s responsibilities may also include the following:
#1. Communicating with clients
Communication between a project manager and a client is essential for ensuring the success of a project. This communication helps build trust between the manager and the client, allowing them to guide the team in completing the project to the client’s satisfaction.
#2. Leading the team
Software project managers possess strong leadership qualities, such as motivating and inspiring team members to a common goal. They may lead the group by setting a clear vision and goal, assigning tasks and responsibilities, providing feedback and support, and resolving any conflicts.
#3. Planning
Project managers use a variety of tools and methods to plan projects. They can develop a clear understanding of the project objectives, create schedules and budgets, and re-plan if issues arise. Additionally, software project managers typically create a detailed plan that includes timelines, milestones, and resources. Afterward, they work with the team to execute the plan and track the progress of the software. This process allows software project managers to translate client requests into project plans.
#4. Serving as a point of contact
Between the development team and the other stakeholders in a software project, software project managers act as a point of contact. They might be in charge of requesting additional resources to help with the project’s completion, managing changes, and communicating project status. Project managers may communicate with stakeholders such as the product owner, business analysts, and the quality assurance team. Therefore, clients and team members can conveniently communicate about progress and make changes to new projects thanks to this liaison.
#5. Testing and reviewing results
Software project managers develop test plans to verify the product’s performance, analyze its functionality, and identify potential issues. After executing the plans, the project manager can review the results to ensure the product meets the set requirements.
TYPES OF PROJECT MANAGERS
Project managers work in many different industries. Despite having similar general duties, some of them work in more technical fields or hold positions with higher titles due to their level of experience. The following are some of the common types of project managers:
- Marketing project manager
- Construction project manager
- IT project manager
- Engineering project manager
What Skills Are Required To Be A Project Manager?
Soft Skills Required To Be A Project Manager
- A cooperative and strategic mindset.
- Solid communication abilities.
- Competencies as a leader.
- The logic for solving problems.
- High level of attention to detail when organizing.
- Teamwork mentality.
- Proficient in task delegation and time management.
- Knowledge of project management software and tools.
Hard Skills Required To Be A Project Manager
- Knowledge of project management tools.
- Being able to plan budgets and anticipate which tasks are feasible given the available funding.
- Knowledge of certain technical industries’ intricate underlying principles.
Educational Requirements Of A Project Manager
- A bachelor’s degree in a subject important to the industry of choice, like computer science.
- Professional certification is advantageous but not always necessary.
Software And Tools Project Managers Use
- Project management software like Asana, Trello, and Scoro.
- Systems for video conferences, such as Zoom.
- Platforms for collaboration and messaging like Microsoft Teams and Slack.
- Meeting scheduling tools include Google Calendar and Calendly.
How To Become A Project Manager
Project Manager Education And Experience
A project manager must have a four-year degree, industry-approved certification, and at least three years of relevant experience. Additionally, they can also gain equivalent professional experience, and those who plan to enter advanced fields may want to pursue technical majors.
Project Manager Certificates
- Project Management Institute Certifications
- Google Project Management Certificate
- PRINCE2 Certification
Project Manager Career Path
For their career paths, they often start as project coordinators, assistants/assistants/juniors, or juniors before moving up in the ranks. As they gain experience, they may move into advanced positions such as program manager, senior project manager, or director of a project management office.
What Are The 4 Phases Of A Project?
#1. Initiating
You will establish the project during the initiation phase. You will determine the project’s objectives, scope, available resources, and team member roles. The project and team will have clear direction if stakeholders’ expectations are made clear, along with the specific goals of the project and their justifications.
Furthermore, the initiation phase is essential for a successful project, as it involves communicating with stakeholders, identifying project scope, determining SMART goals, clarifying resources, confirming team size and roles, and preparing a project proposal and project charter. Tools and documents used include a project proposal, a project charter, and a RACI chart.
#2. Planning
You’ll decide the steps to accomplish the project goals during the planning phase—the “how” of project completion.
Furthermore, the planning phase involves establishing budgets, timelines, and milestones, calculating and predicting risk, putting change processes into place, communicating with team members and stakeholders, creating and signing documents, assessing and managing risk, and holding a kick-off meeting. Note that the tools used include Gantt charts and risk registers.
#3. Execute Projects
Executing a project involves tracking progress, managing quality, mitigating risk, managing the budget, and using data to inform decisions. Tools include GANTT and burndown charts to track progress, respond to risks, record costs, motivate team members, and incorporate changes.
#4. Close Projects
You’ll wrap up project activities during the closing phase of the project management lifecycle, hand the finished goods or service over to the new owners, and evaluate what went well and what didn’t. It will also be an occasion to recognize your efforts.
Best Softwares For Project Manager
#1. Meistertask Project Management Software
MeisterTask is a smart, intuitive task management tool with a Kanban structure, collaborative capabilities, and a personal board to pin and organize tasks. It is fast and logical thanks to automation and integrations.
Additionally, MeisterTask maintains its speed and logic despite offering such a wide range of functionality thanks to a variety of clever automation and strong native integrations with programs like G Suite and GitHub.
Pricing: MeisterTask offers free Basic, Pro, Business, and Enterprise packages starting at ($8.25/per user/per month).
#2. Basecamp Project Management Software
Basecamp is a popular project management software used by many project management teams. It offers collaboration features such as a designated discussion area, daily recaps of projects, and a powerful search tool. However, it lacks milestones and customization options, as well as the ability to add an estimated duration for a task or assign it to more than one user.
Pricing: Available to businesses for $99/month and free for teachers and students.
#3. Nifty Project Management Software
Nifty is a new-wave project management tool that reduces project development cycles and improves team productivity by combining all of the important features of project management into one piece of software. Additionally, it allows tasks to be managed through Kanban or list view, has a built-in calendar, file, and document sharing, and has an integration with Github. This makes Nifty unique by encouraging cross-departmental collaboration.
Pricing: Its pricing ranges from $39 for 10 team members to $124 a month for 50 team members.
#4. Teamwork Projects Project Management Software
Teamwork Projects is a great project management software for power users. It includes features such as task management, milestones, messaging, file storage, time tracking, and more. It also helps project teams visualize the project using a calendar and reporting. File management support is accessible with DropBox, Google Drive, and Box.com.
Pricing: Pricing ranges from $69/month to $269/month.
#5. Proofhub Project Management Software
ProofHub is an online project management app designed for small and growing businesses. It offers custom roles to create Gantt charts, task management, workflows, boards, reports, time tracking, discussions, chat, calendar, file management, notes, and in-app notifications.
Pricing: Pricing ranges from $45/month to $99/month.
What Are The 5 Stages Of Project Management?
The project management life cycle has five stages, which are:
- Initiating.
- Planning.
- Executing.
- Monitoring/controlling.
- Closing.
Is A Project Manager A Good Job?
Yes, being a project manager is a good job to have. However, while project management is undoubtedly a rewarding career with high pay and a wide variety of tasks, it can also be demanding and extremely stressful at times.
Is Project Manager A Stressful Job?
Yes, project management is a challenging career, but team members and software are used to streamline the process. The software includes tracking time and budgets, creating plans and reports, managing invoices, and sharing calendars across multiple teams.
Does Project Management Require Math?
Like many other jobs, project management demands that a person be proficient in a range of abilities. Project managers should be adept problem solvers, have above-average math skills, and be clear communicators, in addition to having strong organizational skills.
Is Project Manager High Paying?
In any business, project managers play a crucial role in the planning and execution of projects. There is room for advancement into even better-paying positions in this well-paying profession. Project management professionals in the US made an average salary of $95,000 in 2021, with the bottom 10% making $50,000 and the top 10% making $159,000.
What Kind Of Project Managers Make The Most?
#1. Marketing Project Manager
National average salary: $58,107 per year
A marketing project manager is responsible for overseeing projects related to marketing and advertising, including planning campaigns, collaborating with the marketing director, and overseeing a team of professionals.
#2. Project management consultant
Average salary: $82.000 per year
A project management consultant is responsible for helping clients improve their process efficiency by providing advice, creating solutions, and overseeing the implementation of project management procedures.
#3. Construction Project Manager
Average salary: $83,000 per year
A construction project manager is responsible for managing physical and administrative tasks associated with a construction project, such as planning logistics, meeting deadlines, and managing budgets.
#4. PMO manager
Average salary: $94,000 per year
A PMO manager, also known as a project management office manager, is in charge of making sure all project managers who work with clients on behalf of the business adhere to a set of standards. PMO managers typically carry out tasks like meeting with project managers to discuss best practices, providing company leadership with project management metrics, and implementing changes to policy or procedure as necessary.
#5. Engineering Project Manager
National average salary: $100,000 per year
An engineering project manager’s main responsibilities include supervising engineering projects and making sure they are completed correctly. An engineering project manager’s regular responsibilities include managing the project’s budget, purchasing and approving all materials, and overseeing the project’s scheduling.
#6. It Project Manager
Average salary: $100,000 per year
IT project managers are responsible for managing projects related to IT development and implementation, such as establishing IT goals, overseeing processes, and providing resources.
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