Is technical knowledge an essential requirement for project manager?
Xue ZhangProject Manager| thyssenkrupp System Engineering Inc.Mi, United States
As a PM I have heard different opinions about this, some people said that the technical knowledge is not important as a PM you will have a team with different background and they are responsible for technical details. Just to clarify here technical knowledge I refer to deep understanding in certain technical areas, e.g. mechanical design, robot expert etc. Saving Changes...
Hi! I find it more difficult to get comfortable into a PM’s role when I have no background in the area of expertise the project is in. However, the generic principles of project management still apply, plus the opportunity to learn new things is probably the most interesting part of the job. Depending on the size of the organization, a PM might have a more generic role that has more to do with the organization’s processes ( the project environment) then the actual content of the project. Protecting the project and the team for success is a major role in such case. Saving Changes...
Kalyan VSNVice President| JPMCHyderabad, Telangana, India
In order to guide/coach or mentor your team, technical knowledge is an essential or mandatory requirement for every project manager Saving Changes...
It helps ; But not must ; since you have technical team that you delegate to them technical scope. Saving Changes...
Karen HaefnerSenior Manager, Marketing Communications Program Management| K&L GatesBethel Park, Pa, United States
My thoughts on the subject align closely with Anton's above. While it's always more comfortable to be working on a project when you have background experience and first-hand knowledge, I think that your ability to learn is far more important.
And I've often found that a engaging a PM with a fresh perspective and an inquisitive approach can lead to far better outcomes than engaging a PM with expertise with a particular technology, product, etc. Saving Changes...
For me, a PM should absolutely have a technical understanding of his project. Not in the design level, but he should understand the technical concept in detail. So that, he can realize the causes of any technical problem and take precautions. A PM should be only an administrative person.
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1 reply by Peter Rapin
Apr 09, 2021 6:03 PM
Peter Rapin
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Management: "the process of dealing with or controlling things or people."
Manager: one who manages
Project Manager: a person assigned to manage things or people related to project delivery.
A PM who only administers is PM in name only. In reality, a PA (Project Administrator).
Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
Apr 09, 2021 4:52 PM
Replying to Mehmet Ozgur Kasap
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For me, a PM should absolutely have a technical understanding of his project. Not in the design level, but he should understand the technical concept in detail. So that, he can realize the causes of any technical problem and take precautions. A PM should be only an administrative person.
Management: "the process of dealing with or controlling things or people."
Manager: one who manages
Project Manager: a person assigned to manage things or people related to project delivery.
A PM who only administers is PM in name only. In reality, a PA (Project Administrator).
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1 reply by Keith Novak
Apr 09, 2021 6:24 PM
Keith Novak
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Bear in mind that the verb "administer" also includes "to manage". While we might generally consider an administrator more of an aide that carries out tasks, word usage can vary by culture/region. After all, a "minister" is a department head, and "administer" is really to perform the actions of a minister.
Management: "the process of dealing with or controlling things or people."
Manager: one who manages
Project Manager: a person assigned to manage things or people related to project delivery.
A PM who only administers is PM in name only. In reality, a PA (Project Administrator).
Bear in mind that the verb "administer" also includes "to manage". While we might generally consider an administrator more of an aide that carries out tasks, word usage can vary by culture/region. After all, a "minister" is a department head, and "administer" is really to perform the actions of a minister.
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1 reply by Peter Rapin
Apr 09, 2021 8:03 PM
Peter Rapin
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You are right - we need to define (be careful with) our terminology especially with multiple cultures and experiences on this forum. My distinction between 'management' and 'administration', as defined by my experience, may not be shared by all. Point taken - Peter
Saving Changes...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
Apr 09, 2021 6:24 PM
Replying to Keith Novak
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Bear in mind that the verb "administer" also includes "to manage". While we might generally consider an administrator more of an aide that carries out tasks, word usage can vary by culture/region. After all, a "minister" is a department head, and "administer" is really to perform the actions of a minister.
You are right - we need to define (be careful with) our terminology especially with multiple cultures and experiences on this forum. My distinction between 'management' and 'administration', as defined by my experience, may not be shared by all. Point taken - Peter Saving Changes...
In my opinion, technical knowledge is MUST, depth of knowledge can vary. Else, there is a risk of PM becoming “Schedule Manager”, unable to assess project status on his / her own, independently. S/he has to own risk management, has to respond to queries from customer, stakeholders etc, act as sounding board and possibly cannot delegate everything to “Technical Leads” of the project. Otherwise s/he will become a messenger.
PM should learn new things from any project and increase his / her horizon.
Would like to end my comment with an example - for a law student “ICC” is “International Criminal Court” but for a cricket enthusiast “ICC” is “International Cricket Council”. And PM should at least know this and such similar things. Saving Changes...
Bill DowPMO Director| University of WARenton, Wa, United States
I agree with what is said here, I think having some technical knowledge is good, but not mandatory to manage all projects. I spent years and years in IT and having a technical programming background helped me, but I didn't need to be as smart as the developers.
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1 reply by Peter Rapin
Apr 12, 2021 11:31 AM
Peter Rapin
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Not smarter, just a different perspective. You get into trouble when you think you can do it all or try and do it all yourself. The SME are specialists in their chosen field, the PM is a specialist in a different field but still a specialist. When defining roles I like to attach the appropriate specialty to the SME title - SME Structural, or SME Mechanical. Using that concept you can apply SME Project Delivery.
Nobody is smarter or more important, just assigned a different role.
One of the problems I have run into is that SMEs Technical do not accept Project Managers as SMEs. Their attitude - "anyone can be a project manager, I could if I had the time."
