The influence of a project manager's technical skills on project success
Frans van AardtRegional ICT Manager| DIRCOPretoria, South Africa
This has always been a debateable question. What is the influence of the technical skills and background of an ICT project manager on the success of projects?
In the 90's there was the feeling that technical skills are essential. This is slowly changing and the focus is moving towards the softer skills.
Not a lot of research has been conducted into this and the research that is out there varies in the findings.
Do you think that the technical skills or hard skills of an ICT project manager have an influence?
I am currently doing a research project at the University of Liverpool and the focus is on the influence that technical skills or hard skills have on the execution and ultimately the success of ICT projects. The findings will be used to make recommendations o profiling of ICT project Managers. If you are interested in participating in the research please go to https://vanaardtfj.questionpro.com and complete the survey
Thanks Frans
Saving Changes...
Sort By:
cristian rosuGlobal Business Manager| MAHLE GmbHRegensburg, Germany
Of course, it depends. In my business the project manager should carry sound technical expertise, else the customer won't be happy. On my side, when I meet a supplier PM being out of the skills map I reject the business. This is because that person won't be able to understand my needs. This doesn't mean the soft skills are less important. I have seen many project failing because the project managers had nothing but technical skills. I would say both type of skills are paramount. Saving Changes...
Michael BoltonPrincipal| Quay ConsultingSydney, Nsw, Australia
Our real life experience has been that more often than not a technologist pm can't stay out of the technology and as such looses sight of the project management processes often to the detriment of the project. Saving Changes...
It is a mixed bag! technical PM's for very technical projects will aid the project and keep the stakeholders happy, however, in today's world the PM should be versatile, they do not have to be technical gurus, and should be able to comprehend, understand the business requirements, the brief, to manage the project - lets not forget that the PM alone does not deliver the project it is a mixed bag of people the techies, the system architects, etc depending on the resources required, what the PM needs to be able to do is understand, participate in discussions and manage their resources to a level of understanding for delivering the project. Technical skills alone do not necessarily make good Project Managers, I have witnessed this approach where a Technical lead changes hats to PM does it work! well not always, not everyone in the organisation speaks the techie language specifically the stakeholders. In addition the trend towards employment of PM's many organisations specifically advertise for a temporary\contract technical project manager, once that project is over so are they...gone. Saving Changes...
