Why is the Quality of PMs so low?

[minestrone]

The best PMs see their first priority as keeping everyone moving towards the agreed end goal, they try and find out the problems and sort them out for you before they block progress.

The majority though see themselves as line managers where they get to be in charge of a bunch of people who are collectively responsible for making sure the project is finished.

[BoredBloke]

Why is it that the quality of PMs is so terribly low compared to the techies they "manage"? I occasionally have to deal with an irritating twat here (luckily being a PM, he's much lower down the food chain than me) - and he really is a a bull-tulipting know-nothing. Loves the sound of his own voice though and can hold forth for ages after which you wonder what exactly he has just said.
Think I'll get him sacked.

So crap also then?

[Moscow Mule]

know something about the technology within the project they are managing (contrary to popular belief this is ESSENTIAL).

100% agree...

[Pogle]

Because it is a difficult thing to do? Because you need social skills? Many PMs I've worked with seem to think the job is comprised of
1. Organising pointless meetings
2. Fiddling around with MS Project
3. Standing behind you saying "have you done it yet?"

4. Telling you how simple your job is.

[Mich the Tester]

4. Telling you how simple your job is.

5 shouting at test manager for not giving 'GO LIVE' advice while half the application is untestable due to blue screens and system crashes.

[Zippy]

4b (and this is the worst offence) Estimating on behalf of the developers, then getting pissed off when deadlines are not met.

I have worked with some good PMs btw . The best was probably the least experienced, but he knew how to deal with people and when to take a step back.

[mace]

I'm starting my new job as a pure PM tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, to be honest. I've got a technical background and became a PM in my last role because the company was too cheap to pay for anybody qualified. Luckily, I was only managing external suppliers so it was a good learning curve in so much as they take more crap then colleagues. In my defence, I didn't apply for a role as a PM, I applied for a role as team lead but they decided because I spent more time as a PM in my last role than I did doing hands on, I must now be a PM. I'm guessing that if this is how other PMs get appointed that may answer your question.

[thunderlizard]

3. Standing behind you saying "have you done it yet?"

while all the time being stupendously lenient with the big preferred suppliers. "You need another 6 full-time consultants and £10m? No problem. Let's discuss it over golf same as usual".

[mace]

while all the time being stupendously lenient with the big preferred suppliers. "You need another 6 full-time consultants and £10m? No problem. Let's discuss it over golf same as usual".

No donuts for you

[sasguru]

I'm starting my new job as a pure PM tomorrow. I'm not looking forward to it, to be honest. I've got a technical background and became a PM in my last role because the company was too cheap to pay for anybody qualified. Luckily, I was only managing external suppliers so it was a good learning curve in so much as they take more crap then colleagues. In my defence, I didn't apply for a role as a PM, I applied for a role as team lead but they decided because I spent more time as a PM in my last role than I did doing hands on, I must now be a PM. I'm guessing that if this is how other PMs get appointed that may answer your question.

There's hope for you becoming a great PM yet because you don't have your head stuck firmly up your arse - yet.
Just remember to not be a bull-tulipter and you'll be fine.
BTW PM qualifications are about as useful as a chocolate teapot.