Reply to: I want to understand technical side of IT Project Management

[Bee]

Cheers for that

You are welcome

[squirrel99]

Thank you all for your replies - definitely a lot of food for thought.

I just signed my 6 months extension, so will be doing what I am doing for the time being.

I didn't go contracting for the money or hoping to build a career. I simply had a few offers, one of them was contracting, it was attractive for several reasons, so I took a shot. My warchest build up nicely during the past 6 months, so if I end up out of work - oh well.

I realise I still have a lot of skills to learn, but my current contract already gave me more opportunities than my previous perm job.

I'm sure there are better ways to do it than I do, but I can't complain of my choices!

[squirrel99]

You feel more competent probably because you are a detail oriented person and good in detail deliverables. You don’t feel comfortable, or feel insecure if you don’t know all the details.

For a PM you need to concentrate in the functionality, the big picture of the process, the architecture it's a black box for you.
You need to educate the way of thinking and be a good leader.

Cheers for that

[Bee]

Thank you NLUK, that's really helpful.

My experience is mixed between PMO and PM (support). PMO responsibilities are more clear to me, but I am leaning towards PM as a goal. I time to time get a chance to lead on specific deliverable of a project, but I often feel not clear about technical processes. Everyone tells you don't need to know all the technical stuff to be a good PM - but I think it would help me to feel more competent.

You feel more competent probably because you are a detail oriented person and good in detail deliverables. You don’t feel comfortable, or feel insecure if you don’t know all the details.

For a PM you need to concentrate in the functionality, the big picture of the process, the architecture it's a black box for you.
You need to educate the way of thinking and be a good leader.

[SueEllen]

Sound advice ^^ also in my experience having observed many PMs there is a personality trait the good ones have, you either have it or you don't, I don't think it can be learned from a book or that you can force it; through experience of managing projects you can nurture\develop it\polish of the rough edges... but it has to be there to start with. Also, be careful looking at good PMs delivering projects 'easily', the good ones (in any walk of life) make it look easy.

Hence my comment about nurturing your people skills.

[northernladuk]

NLUK - I really respect you from reading the forums, but it looks like your really like telling people this.

I never said I am a PM - I said I want to learn the skills and I want to become a PM one day. I think everyone started somewhere?

I can support PMs as a perm or as a contractor - so far I didn't notice big difference there.

The topic was about me learning some theory - for my own benefit. I am not saying that this will make me a PM.

I have spare time - want to learn something useful - what's wrong with that.

Sorry you've taken it the wrong way. Some people don't like competency based feedback and take it personally, others see it as a solid baseline from which to improve. Probably works very badly over the interspaz and a lot can be misread in to a single post...

Gables advice covers what I was getting at without being too direct so see if you like the way that's put better.

Either way.. I'm done. Good luck in whatever you do.

[Bee]

Thank you for a reply. Yes, I am not a PM yet, but I want to be. I am trying to get more responsibility in any job I do, study on my free time etc. I know I will make it - everyone started somewhere.

Computer Science Engineer course - it this like a degree or part-time course?

I'm sorry to telling you this, but if you don't know what a Computer Science Engineer is, you are in the wrong business.

You have to concentrate your effort in your deliverables and the project goals, instead of diverge to other areas that you are not responsible or you don't have background.

If you start to put "your nose" in the technical area you can be a joke among your colleagues.

[gables]

I think that what NLUK is trying to say is that if you're happy with extended bench time or being at a certain level for most of your contracting life, stay as you are. If you want to become a good contract PM, become a good perm PM. Get the training paid for by your employer, get experience of managing projects under your belt and a proven track record (always asked for) and then become a project PM. Who knows, you might end up interviewing NLUK

Sound advice ^^ also in my experience having observed many PMs there is a personality trait the good ones have, you either have it or you don't, I don't think it can be learned from a book or that you can force it; through experience of managing projects you can nurture\develop it\polish of the rough edges... but it has to be there to start with. Also, be careful looking at good PMs delivering projects 'easily', the good ones (in any walk of life) make it look easy.

[bobspud]

I am working as IT junior PM/project support, have PRINCE2 and Scrum Master certifications, but always feel that lack of technical understanding holds me back.

I would like to understand technical side of software development - environments, technical cycle etc.

Can anyone recommend good books / courses?

Like the others have said. Go back to a permanent role where the company is happy to give you tasks that are vastly out of your capability and spend a few years trying not to get it so badly wrong that they sack you. It will make you a far better PM in the end.

But most importantly its not your job to be technical. That is why you have an Architect. If you have an interest in why something is done a certain way then ask. But generally you should have enough to get on with, managing budgets.

The best PM's get this, the worst ignore it and mostly FSCK things up.

[LondonManc]

NLUK - I really respect you from reading the forums, but it looks like your really like telling people this.

I never said I am a PM - I said I want to learn the skills and I want to become a PM one day. I think everyone started somewhere?

I can support PMs as a perm or as a contractor - so far I didn't notice big difference there.

The topic was about me learning some theory - for my own benefit. I am not saying that this will make me a PM.

I have spare time - want to learn something useful - what's wrong with that.

I think that what NLUK is trying to say is that if you're happy with extended bench time or being at a certain level for most of your contracting life, stay as you are. If you want to become a good contract PM, become a good perm PM. Get the training paid for by your employer, get experience of managing projects under your belt and a proven track record (always asked for) and then become a project PM. Who knows, you might end up interviewing NLUK

[stek]

PM's are better off not knowing the tricks techies pull to string out the job/pay for the Aston Martin.

PM: How long to change the IP on this Solaris box?

Techie: About 2 days.....

PM: I read (in Unix for Dummies) it takes 2 minutes...

Techie: Here, you do it then...

PM tries and loses session because of ip change and not being on console: Oooopps.....

Techie: Damn, that's gonna take 4 days to fix now....

PMs - know your limits.......


PS Interestingly spellchecker changed PMs to POS at first.........

[squirrel99]

In your spare time you should be out networking to support your career. One thing good managers are great at, at any level, is networking plus connecting with and getting on with people from different walks of life. This does mean you have to get other hobbies as well where you meet people who do different things.

You should also go back to being permie to get more experience of managing more complex projects e.g. with a mixture of 3rd party suppliers, migration and close deadlines. If the company you are working for is not giving you enough work in that area then you need to find another job.

Thank you - this is helpful.

[squirrel99]

You need to go permie. These are not competencies of PM's and equivalent levels I am afraid.

NLUK - I really respect you from reading the forums, but it looks like your really like telling people this.

I never said I am a PM - I said I want to learn the skills and I want to become a PM one day. I think everyone started somewhere?

I can support PMs as a perm or as a contractor - so far I didn't notice big difference there.

The topic was about me learning some theory - for my own benefit. I am not saying that this will make me a PM.

I have spare time - want to learn something useful - what's wrong with that.

[SueEllen]

In my opinion I am proactive. In my perm job:
- I completed my yearly goals in 3 months. Went back to Line Manager to discuss further goals
- Always asked for more work
- Always suggested my support to all PMs/BAs/everyone else on a team
- Strived to do good job
- In a year completed all PM courses available on Lynda.com
- Completed at least 10 in house training courses
- Completed PRINCE2 - my own expense as work didn't agree to pay for anything

This year - same with contracting. Asking more work, trying to do good job, offering support to everyone. Did Scrum Master qualification to support my skills.

I really need ideas on what else I can do. Whether at work or on my spare time...

In your spare time you should be out networking to support your career. One thing good managers are great at, at any level, is networking plus connecting with and getting on with people from different walks of life. This does mean you have to get other hobbies as well where you meet people who do different things.

You should also go back to being permie to get more experience of managing more complex projects e.g. with a mixture of 3rd party suppliers, migration and close deadlines. If the company you are working for is not giving you enough work in that area then you need to find another job.

[SueEllen]

You need to go permie. These are not competencies of PM's and equivalent levels I am afraid.

Actually there are some clients out there who think PM and scrum masters are the same thing.