I am a member of the IT&T SIG, the ISSIG, and several other SIGs. I am not in software development any longer, but I used to be. Here are my thoughts on which is best for a software-industry PM:
ISSIG is probably the best match for anyone in software development. Their membership is focused around Information Systems projects, and they often have great speakers talking about Agile, software development methods, and so on.
IT&T SIG is a must-have SIG if your projects involve telecommunications and networking issues. I did real-time market data, and I found that these folks really know routers and communications issues. It is also the best group if you are involved in hardware development and deployment.
I have never been a member of the eBusiness SIG, but it is not as large or active as the IS and IT&T SIG.
I hope this helps. If you want more personalized advice, let us know what you are looking for from the SIG, and we may be able to help our with more advice. Saving Changes...
I needed this specific information only.
It will help me now to decide which SIG to join.. Saving Changes...
Dave PriorTrainer/Consultant| LeadingAgileNew York, Ny, United States
Hi Amogh,
The way that I always explain it is that if you are a PM who identifies yourself as one who focuses primarily in software, than IS is probably your best bet. If you are a PM who does a combination of software, infrastructure and telecom work, then IT&T might be a better fit. Both groups have great things to offer, but if you have to select just one, it really depends on what type of PM work you identify with most.
I'm a little biased, because I'm the Chair of the IT&T SIG, but I can tell you that we've got a lot of software PMs as well as telecom and infrastructure. I think in either group you'd be able to find great things to enable you in building your career.
Some other things to consider... which group has a larger contingent in your local area? What types of services to they offer their members. You might want to check out things like podcasts, webinars, newsletters, etc. For the IT&T SIG, our monthly webinars are our most popular offering. We also just posted our first audio podcast last week here on the GIG site and we will have video podcasts posted within the next few days.
If you have any additional specific questions about the IT&T SIG, please feel free to email me directly at [email protected].
Thanks,
Dave Saving Changes...
Joelle GodfreySr Project Manager| DuracellNaperville, Il, United States
Has anyone heard any news about the Metrics and Women in Project Management SIG? I have looked at both groups websites and they seem to be great groups to join. Saving Changes...
I am a member of both Metrics and Women in PM SIGs, and I have found both to be wonderful. Metrics SIG has a huge number of web seminars, and Women in PM (WiPM) has a mentoring program, PMP prep classes, and a great discussion group. Both have a good newsletter and active boards.
You will find that WiPM and several other SIGs have a relationship with MetSIG, so that the MetSIG web seminars are available to their members. If you are joining the MetSIG mostly for the web seminars, you could just join WiPM and get that benefit. You would not get some of the other benefits of MetSIG membership, though.
