How important is it to be from IT background in order to be successfull IT project manager? Can a project manager with mechical background try the new area of work?
How important is it to be from IT background in order to be successful IT project manager? Can a project manager with mechanical background try the new area of work? Saving Changes...
Thanks, Vivek for the housekeeping of linking the related thread :)
Pallavi, there are many facets to a decision such as that, and certainly not binary. From my experience, IT Project Managers do generally have an IT background of some sort / level.
That said, an individual can be competent in technology with work outside of their primary profession which would provide enough to move toward that career path. And to note, why restrict to 'IT project management'. Not all PM's in IT are IT project managers. As Justus notes the typical focus areas, there are other areas in IT that could offer possibilities.
So, taking a step back. What is it about IT Project Management that interests you?
Thank you for your response Andrew, I understand what you are explaining & I was looking for options where a mechanical engineer can fit in as a IT project manager. Saving Changes...
Thank you all for your insights on this topic. I could wrap around with a constructive solution for this situation with all you responses. Saving Changes...
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
I would assume it will present some challenges at the beginning. I have seen similar cases in which a seasoned IT PM moves into a completely new field like pharma and struggles notably.
A suggestion to remediate this might be to learn beforehand the basics of the new practitioning field, specially the jargon. That immediately favors a positive effect towards project stakeholders. Saving Changes...
A cousin of mine ran several large IT projects while employed for a major bank. He has a engineering background (Mech) along with an MBA. He managed, but he also had experience with the bank processes, and I'm sure his engineering background was an asset. To make thing more complicated, he managed a virtual team located across the globe. Saving Changes...
Each field has some specifics requirements. The PM needs to manage not execute.
I have work in Finance, IT, Construction,... Managing project not executing them many challenges to start nothing impossible. Saving Changes...
anca stefanescuProject methodology expert| BRD GROUPE SOCIETE GENERALEBucharest, Romania
I think it s possible to be an IT PM even without IT background. I started as a supply chain/logistics PM then switched to IT PM in banking. When I first saw an architecture of the bank systems, I almost fainted :)). You have to be very strong and a very fast learner, otherwise team will feel your weakness and you'll have no authority at all.
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1 reply by Adrian Carlogea
Aug 24, 2018 10:03 AM
Adrian Carlogea
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Yes, but your level of knowledge would never get close to the level of knowledge of the experts working on the project so they would still feel your weakness. It’s like trying to impersonate an English man or woman by speaking with an English accent. People that are not English may be fooled but almost all the English people would know that you are not English and that you are faking the accent.
Learning would help you to communicate with the experts but would not give you more authority as all the technical decisions are still going to be taken by the experts and not by you.
I’ve met plenty PMs that had very limited domain knowledge and, also were not willing to learn. They remained PMs and managed projects with no problems even if they had no authority over the project team members.
I think it s possible to be an IT PM even without IT background. I started as a supply chain/logistics PM then switched to IT PM in banking. When I first saw an architecture of the bank systems, I almost fainted :)). You have to be very strong and a very fast learner, otherwise team will feel your weakness and you'll have no authority at all.
Yes, but your level of knowledge would never get close to the level of knowledge of the experts working on the project so they would still feel your weakness. It’s like trying to impersonate an English man or woman by speaking with an English accent. People that are not English may be fooled but almost all the English people would know that you are not English and that you are faking the accent.
Learning would help you to communicate with the experts but would not give you more authority as all the technical decisions are still going to be taken by the experts and not by you.
I’ve met plenty PMs that had very limited domain knowledge and, also were not willing to learn. They remained PMs and managed projects with no problems even if they had no authority over the project team members.
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1 reply by anca stefanescu
Aug 27, 2018 1:53 AM
anca stefanescu
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Absolutely right. That s why it is important not to play the smart guy in front of them and acknowledge their expertise. On the other hand, PM role is related to planning, communicating, organizing etc. not related to accomplish technical tasks. So yes, the technical decisions will be taken by the experts, however the overall project will be supervised by you.
Saving Changes...
anca stefanescuProject methodology expert| BRD GROUPE SOCIETE GENERALEBucharest, Romania
Aug 24, 2018 10:03 AM
Replying to Adrian Carlogea
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Yes, but your level of knowledge would never get close to the level of knowledge of the experts working on the project so they would still feel your weakness. It’s like trying to impersonate an English man or woman by speaking with an English accent. People that are not English may be fooled but almost all the English people would know that you are not English and that you are faking the accent.
Learning would help you to communicate with the experts but would not give you more authority as all the technical decisions are still going to be taken by the experts and not by you.
I’ve met plenty PMs that had very limited domain knowledge and, also were not willing to learn. They remained PMs and managed projects with no problems even if they had no authority over the project team members.
Absolutely right. That s why it is important not to play the smart guy in front of them and acknowledge their expertise. On the other hand, PM role is related to planning, communicating, organizing etc. not related to accomplish technical tasks. So yes, the technical decisions will be taken by the experts, however the overall project will be supervised by you. Saving Changes...
Anton OosthuizenSenior Business Analyst / Project Manager| Self EmployedPretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
It is beneficial but not a strict requirement to be successful. Obviously, the learning curve will be so much steeper if you enter a domain without any knowledge. My approach is always that it is easier to gain domain knowledge than it is to gain PM experience. You are a good Pm or you are not. But any domain can be learned. Saving Changes...
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