IT Project Manager
Why Is IT Project Management a Job of Tomorrow?
Technology has pervaded every aspect of modern life. It
has largely replaced cash with credit cards that can draw funds electronically from bank accounts, replaced beepers with handheld mobile phones that can not only instantly connect callers, but also act as a tiny web browser and gaming system, and pushed globalization into overdrive through the World Wide Web. With personal computers as common in businesses as pots of break room coffee, the race is always on to push computer technology further. Businesses now rely on technology more than ever to reach new customers, increase the brand’s presence, and store important information on projects and finances. IT project managers will be in high demand to handle the new frontier of networks, databases, and the Internet as more and more businesses become digital. Employment opportunities for IT project managers are expected to grow 16 percent by 2016, according to CNN Money. IT product managers make an average salary of $98,700 annually.
What Does an IT Project Manager Do?
IT project managers work with companies in handling big technological overhauls or developments. Many companies rely on technology to handle their day-to-day business transactions, making the maintenance of the technology a top priority. IT project managers plan, organize, and coordinate all the different components of a project to ensure that the entire development will come together in a cohesive manner. Like project managers of any sector, the biggest goal of an IT project manager is to see a venture to successful completion while also staying within time and budget constraints without sacrificing any of the other goals of the assignment. IT project managers in particular work with coordinating database administration, network administration, and the customers themselves. IT projects can include upgrades to software systems, a launch of a new technical campaign, or the creation of a new product.
What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become an IT Project Manager?
There are no set education requirements for IT product managers, but most employers prefer those who have a substantial background in marketing, business, and computer science. With a more formal education, such as a master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on technology or e-commerce, IT product managers are more likely to advance to better paying and higher ranking positions within a company. A master’s degree takes two to three years to earn after first earning a four-year bachelor’s degree, and covers topics such as management skills, finance, computer languages, and other related topics. Professional certification is also available to further increase a manager’s marketability.
