When an IT project starts to fall apart, and the interests of the business and technical team are hard to reconcile, someone is needed to take the reins. An IT Project Manager not only plans and supervises. He brings people together, organizes chaos, and ensures that everything “works out” in the end. He is not a superhero, but someone who faces challenges greater than a deadline every day.
Who is an IT Project Manager?
A Project Manager in the IT world is a person who is responsible for ensuring that a project is completed in accordance with the established scope, budget and schedule. They are the intermediary between the client, the technical team and the business. They connect many worlds, often speaking different languages.
This position requires combining analytical, communication and organisational skills. A PM must be a leader, negotiator, organiser and mediator at the same time.
Goals, priorities and chaos management
A well-managed IT project starts with a clear definition of:
- business goal,
- MVP (Minimum Viable Product) scope,
- deadlines and milestones,
- expectations regarding the value delivered to the customer.
The lack of these elements leads to misunderstandings, blurred scope and the risk of unnecessary work. The PM must be able to take care of documentation, backlog, communication consistency and setting the rhythm for the team.
Scope of IT Project Manager Responsibilities
The Project Manager’s responsibilities do not end with backlog management. In practice, the PM:
- defines problems and project goals,
- organizes the team’s work,
- ensures communication with the client and stakeholders,
- plans schedules and budgets,
- analyzes risks and responds to changes,
- reports progress and accounts for results.
Scope creep – the silent enemy of every project
One of the biggest challenges is scope creep – the uncontrolled expansion of the project scope. The client, learning about the next elements of the MVP, often begins to notice new needs.
The PM must recognize whether they are:
- a natural extension of previous functionalities,
- completely new requirements that should be included in a separate stage or offer.
The PM’s task is not to say “yes” or “no”, but to balance the client’s needs with the team’s capabilities and the impact of changes on the budget, schedule and quality.
Risk management – not just in theory
Risk in IT projects is something absolutely natural. Things break down, people get sick, decisions get delayed. PM must be ready for:
- lack of availability of key team members,
- changes in customer requirements,
- delays in testing or integration,
- external dependencies (e.g. partner APIs).
Instead of avoiding risks, an effective PM identifies them, describes them, monitors them and has a plan B prepared. Thanks to this, instead of “putting out fires”, they can manage change in a conscious and controlled manner.
Do you want to know what a DevOps Engineer does? Read our article –> DevOps Engineer. One-man band in the IT world. What does he do?
Project Manager is a leader, not just a controller
Contrary to stereotypes, an IT Project Manager is not an Excel controller. This is a person who:
- can motivate the team and remove obstacles in work,
- is close to the team, but also to the client – understands the needs of both parties,
- can speak the language of business and technology,
- builds a culture of cooperation and responsibility.
The role of a PM does not end with implementation. The key is drawing conclusions and retrospection, thanks to which subsequent projects will be planned even better.
Summary
An IT Project Manager is someone who:
- plans, coordinates, talks and decides,
- is able to operate in conditions of variability and time pressure,
- keeps the project in check regardless of adversities.
If the project is to succeed, it needs someone who will take care of its stability, direction and team energy. This person is the PM.
Piotr Gumkowski, Project Manager at Edge One Solutions
Don’t wait! Check out our job offers.
