Diego CanasProject Coordinator | Civil Engineer | Planning Engineer| -Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
The Project Manager necessarily have to be a technical expert on the subject of the project? (Ex: Only IT professional managing IT project). Or does not that define the PM's ability to manage in another industry/sector?
leave your opinion below. Thank you! Saving Changes...
Diego CanasProject Coordinator | Civil Engineer | Planning Engineer| -Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Sep 15, 2017 7:52 PM
Replying to Drew Craig
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No, not the technical expert. The technical lead/SME/engineer/etc. should be the expert.
The PM should be knowledgeable of the field, there to provide expertise in project management.
Thank you Andrew for your opinion!
I also think that the PM has soft skills and experience in project management, and is an integrator of all the technical skills of the team. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Theory wise - all of the above answers are good one and answer the question
However, in reality, unfortunately, there are still too many organizations and individuals who do not understand project management and think that the PM must also be the technical lead, and the technical expert, and maybe the janitor as well :)
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2 replies by Bonita Baker and Diego Canas
Sep 16, 2017 4:09 PM
Diego Canas
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It's true! In case the manager is a technical expert and have softskills to manage the project ... it would be more than perfect!
Thank you Mounir!
Sep 16, 2017 7:23 PM
Bonita Baker
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I agree Mounir, I have an IT degree and just passed my PMP this June. I have yet to land a job, most job postings are asking that the PM have multiple technical disciplines ranging from systems networking to cloud engineering. While I am constantly increasing my technical skills, I'm not quite sure which direction I should be going.
I will agree with my colleagues here. The PM should have a basic understanding of the software but anything deeper than that, should be addressed by the technical lead. The PM will get more comfortable and will understands more about the product with every project he is leading.
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2 replies by Bonita Baker and Diego Canas
Sep 16, 2017 4:10 PM
Diego Canas
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Exactly Alfonso!
Thank you so much!
Sep 18, 2017 2:06 PM
Bonita Baker
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Great information Alfonso!
All of these discussions are also of immense help to me. I was trying to figure out if I needed to dedicate more time increasing my technical skills through study or if I should instead concentrate on learning gained directly from working on projects. What I am understanding from these feeds is that it is ok for me to dedicate my attention to the projects I am working on and in improving my PM skills, and the other skills will come as I continue working projects.
Thanks to you all.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Sep 15, 2017 8:04 PM
Replying to Diego Canas
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I agree with you, Rami. Thank you so much for your point of view!
My pleasure Diego. Saving Changes...
Diego CanasProject Coordinator | Civil Engineer | Planning Engineer| -Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
It's true! In case the manager is a technical expert and have softskills to manage the project ... it would be more than perfect!
Thank you Mounir! Saving Changes...
Diego CanasProject Coordinator | Civil Engineer | Planning Engineer| -Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Sep 16, 2017 12:58 PM
Replying to Alfonso Benjamin Perez Lecuona
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I will agree with my colleagues here. The PM should have a basic understanding of the software but anything deeper than that, should be addressed by the technical lead. The PM will get more comfortable and will understands more about the product with every project he is leading.
Exactly Alfonso!
Thank you so much! Saving Changes...
Bonita BakerProject Manager| Bonita BakerSpringfield, Oh, United States
I agree Mounir, I have an IT degree and just passed my PMP this June. I have yet to land a job, most job postings are asking that the PM have multiple technical disciplines ranging from systems networking to cloud engineering. While I am constantly increasing my technical skills, I'm not quite sure which direction I should be going.
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1 reply by Diego Canas
Sep 17, 2017 6:19 PM
Diego Canas
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Hi Bonita,
The situation you put here is exactly the question. I realize it here too.
I had a professor with a background in biology, who also managed projects from other sectors. As you complete each project, you will inevitably learn more about the specific subject of the project, gaining more knowledge in the area that is not yours.
Thank you!
Saving Changes...
Carlos TessoreDr.| RManagementMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
From mi experience, the level of knowledge on the specific subject a Project manager should have depend on the size of the Project. Big projects usually have the resources to contract subject matter specialists and for that reason manager do not need to have a deep knowledge in the area, his role mainly goes beyond technical matters. In small size projects managers usually need to have a good grasp of the technical matters, since usually there are no resource available to contract specialists.
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1 reply by Diego Canas
Sep 17, 2017 5:59 PM
Diego Canas
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I had not analyzed the situation with this perspective.
Very interesting!
It's a completely real situation.
Thank you Carlos!
Saving Changes...
Dr. SAJAL KUMAR GHOSHDy. General Manager( Electrical)| Rail Vikas Nigam Limited-IndiaBhubaneswar, Odisha, India
In India it is common practice (in most fields) to hire PMs having sufficient knowledge in the domain area.In my view having an overall idea about the domain along with knowledge of Project Management makes a successful PM.
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1 reply by Diego Canas
Sep 17, 2017 6:21 PM
Diego Canas
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The same here in Brazil!
Thank you so much Sajal!
Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Sep 16, 2017 4:09 PM
Replying to Diego Canas
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It's true! In case the manager is a technical expert and have softskills to manage the project ... it would be more than perfect!
Thank you Mounir!
Be careful Diago - I did not say what you understood.
I am against the PM being a technical "expert". I know organizations are looking for this but I think it is the wrong practice and it hurts more than it helps
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1 reply by Diego Canas
Sep 17, 2017 5:54 PM
Diego Canas
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I understood what you said @Mounir and I agree with you. I just added saying that in case the project manager is both, something that is possible, the situation would be perfect.
I'm sorry if I said it wrong. English is not my native language. Your contribution is very good! By the way, everyone's contribution here.
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