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...
Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
Apr 12, 2021 10:31 AM
Replying to Bill Dow
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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.
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."
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1 reply by Eduard Hernandez
Apr 14, 2021 5:31 AM
Eduard Hernandez
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Good closing remark, Peter. The value of a project manager is often misunderstood, especially in non mature organizations. Some tend to think that putting together a waterfall planning on an Excel file makes them a project manager.
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Apr 12, 2021 11:31 AM
Replying to 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."
Good closing remark, Peter. The value of a project manager is often misunderstood, especially in non mature organizations. Some tend to think that putting together a waterfall planning on an Excel file makes them a project manager. Saving Changes...
Chris HornerProgram Manager| First National Bank of OmahaPapillon, NE, United States
Mar 28, 2021 1:35 PM
Replying to Rami Kaibni
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Xue
You will always hear different opinions about this topic as it differs from one industry to another.
From my side, generally speaking, I believe the PM should not be a technical expert but should have the minimum technical knowledge to be able to make sense of the estimates, solve problems, take sound decisions and communicate with all parties as needed.
RK
This is an excellent reply and I’d like to add one more thing. The PM should have the courage to take that general technical knowledge, apply it to the project at hand and be able to ask probing questions. I’ve found that helps and even challenges your Architects and SMEs to better explain and defend approaches taken. Saving Changes...
PM has to have technical knowledge. It may more acquainted on some themes, less on others. Becoming a SME, depends on his/her motivation.
I've an engineering background (electronics and computer systems). When i started my career knew little about telecommunications (a broad term), IT systems, marketing, finance, product development, etc.
Along my professional journey, I've developed my knowledge about telecommunications, IP (OSI layer protocols), wireline (xDSL,xPON, Wifi) and wireless technologies (radio access, UMTS, LTE, 5G, core network, SIP, back bone, back/fronthaul, etc. IT systems, Business support systems, operational support systems, front and back end technologies, databases, datacenters, virtualization, etc. Web frameworks, mobile platforms, Android, iOS, ... Marketing campaigns, above and below the line, digital... Processes and procedures. Regulamentation. I'm not an SME on any of those disciplines BUT i'm well aware of their assumptions and constraints. I can facilitate, moderate a decision to be made with the full picture on mind. Technical knowledge is a MUST, being a SME, not necessarily. Although it helps. Anyone should work for becoming better, more cult. Domain every aspect the project may imply, touch. More trained and equipped increases the probably of scoring more goals Saving Changes...
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