While a good technical background is essential, job descriptions also seek non-technical skills such as task management, scheduling, and producing detailed plans. According to Lightcast, There were 274,000 job postings by US employers for IT project managers during the past 12 months ending September 2022. Employers have posted more than 840,000 IT jobs in the US seeking candidates with project management skills during this 12 month period.
Diplomacy skills are just one key to an IT project manager’s success
A project management degree is not always required for jobs and certification in the field. However, it is much easier for bachelor’s degree-holders to earn PMI certification. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 17 percent growth rate for computer and information managers from to 2033 2. What’s more, the Project Management Institute (PMI) also sees strong growth for project manager jobs internationally, estimating the sector to grow by 33 percent, or 22 million new jobs, by 2027 3.
Looking for an Opportunity in IT Project Management?
If you’re ready to start building the skills you need to be an IT project manager, consider pursuing Google’s IT Support Professional Certificate. In this programme, you’ll learn in-demand skills that will have you job-ready in less than six months. Though technical skills aren’t always required, they are often requested and can give you a strong edge in your application. IT project management jobs often demand a combination of hard technical and soft skills.
Team & Stakeholder Management Questions
- This plan is a critical roadmap that outlines the project’s scope, timeline, milestones, deliverables, and the resources required to complete the project successfully.
- The lean methodology provides a mechanism for organizations to reduce waste by developing continuous feedback, review, and learning procedures to increase efficiency.
- I’ve been applying the new skills and knowledge I’ve gained from all my courses to my work and it’s helped me be a better IT professional.
- Though these roles don’t always require technical skills, they often prefer them, and these skills can give you an edge against other candidates.
- Not only is the new job outlook for IT project managers good but IT project manager salaries are great.
- Working as a team member on IT projects is also one of the best ways to gain experience.
- Also check out our guides on how to get PMP certification and CAPM certification requirements.
Intense competition and high customer expectations will continue to push businesses further towards a more agile approach to project management. As a result, IT project managers will need to have a strong knowledge of hybrid frameworks Middle Project Manager job and project management methodologies, such as ITIL, Agile, Scrum, and PRINCE2. Gaining certification is another great way to show not only that you have the project management business acumen but also specialised technical skills beyond the typical scope.
A degree in management information systems, information technology or computer science would be appropriate. A master’s degree, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), could also be required, depending on the employer. Communication skills will become even more essential for IT project managers. It’s important to note that becoming an IT project manager requires a combination of technical and soft skills, so it’s essential to develop a well-rounded skill set. Working in tech offers a wealth of exciting opportunities for career advancement, with a wide range of possible paths to explore. If you’re currently in an IT role and seeking a more challenging and fast-paced position, becoming an IT project manager might be the perfect option.
Some key IT project manager skills include leadership, negotiation, collaboration, creativity, goal-setting, teamwork, adaptability and time management skills. Other professional competencies IT project managers need are reliability, budgeting and problem-solving skills. As businesses continue to focus on digital transformation, the demand for IT project management jobs is expected to rise in the current hiring climate. The future of IT project management will be shaped by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, automation, and big data. Successful IT project managers will need to have experience in change management and implementation strategies of these technologies, along with a firm understanding of risk and security factors.
- The average annual salary for an IT project manager ranges from $60,000-$125,000.
- If you want to increase your earning potential as an IT project manager, getting a master’s degree could be worth the investment.
- In this field, construction managers may need to understand complex engineering principles related to electricity generation and manufacturing processes.
- You can start by looking for entry-level jobs working on smaller IT projects, teams, or products to get yourself noticed.
Based on what we’ve heard from our experts, IT project managers must possess a unique blend of business, technology and interpersonal skills. They don’t necessarily need to know all of the deep technical details of the technology, but they’ll still need to know enough to effectively work with their teams. This IT career path requires you to blend technical know-how with traditional business acumen in order to keep crucial technology initiatives on track. In this article we’re taking a closer look at what an IT project manager is and what you’ll need to successfully become one.
With the right training Web development and experience, IT project managers can earn promotions to senior project management positions. Additionally, they can even specialise in various fields, like technical architecture, cybersecurity, operations, or department management, depending on their interests and strengths. Freelance consulting is also an option for those who prefer to work on their own schedule. Overall, IT project managers have a promising career path with a variety of opportunities for growth and specialisation.
- Some companies require project managers to hold four-year bachelor’s degrees, and some don’t require degrees.
- Rome points out that PMs frequently need to troubleshoot issues that arise seemingly at random on a project.
- This is the lengthiest phase of the project, where the final deliverable is developed.
- Because the department has such diverse responsibilities, an IT manager must have a broad set of skills along with technological and managerial experience.
- As businesses continue to focus on digital transformation, the demand for IT project management jobs is expected to rise in the current hiring climate.
- Some people start as a project coordinator, whereas others may start in an IT role, or even a non-technical role.
Project coordinators present different methodologies by coordinating project timelines and reporting back to management with different details. Project coordinators don’t necessarily need to know how to use specific platforms or methodologies, but they may gain experience with them that will help them advance to a project manager role. A coordinator role is a great way to get your start in project management and build the skills you need to eventually move up to an IT project manager role. Understanding the requirements for an IT Project Manager role is crucial in today’s technology-driven world. Companies rely on these professionals to oversee complex projects, ensuring they meet business objectives efficiently.