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Jai
Jagannath,
Qualities of a good Project Manager /
Secrets to be the best Project Manager.
This mail provides you a scale of 11 marks to let you rate and
measure your manager against it and find out whether you are working
under a right person or not ? To succeed as an IT manager, and to
advance one's career into the executive sphere, one need some very
specific traits--11 to be exact. From needs assessment to team
building, these are the skills a manager need to be at the top of
your game. Basic qualities to be a suitable manager are
· The ability to assess, acquire, liberalize
and reciprocate needs
· The ability to build, maintain and retain the team
· The ability to implement change management processes
· The ability to implement a client service mindset
We might have realized that in recent times, many good IT managers
and a few excellent ones. I've also seen a fair share of poor
managers. I believe there are 11 traits that must become the core
competencies of any IT manager who wants to have a successful IT
management career. While some may argue that there are more, or
other, skills that are just as important, I believe from my years of
experience that these are the most crucial traits managers need
today.
Ability to assess needs : All IT
managers need to know how to assess the needs of their company as it
relates to their technology responsibilities. It doesn't matter what
level you are; you have to be able to discover what the real needs
and issues are so you work on the "right things." Too many managers
develop an "IT agenda" because they don't make the effort to
discover the objectives and tangible issues of the company.
Developing the ability to quickly assess the technology for your
area of expertise positions you for more responsibility. Managers
who develop initiatives that "miss the target" because they lack
strong assessment skills cost companies hundreds of thousands of
dollars. Assessing technology needs plays a major part in helping
your career advance.
Ability to create a vision : To lead,
you have to identify your target and create a vision for your staff
of where you want to be. To lead, you have to take charge and point
the team to the desired destination. Managers who can develop and
articulate a vision to their staff can accomplish great things
because people will follow them. Communicating a vision tells those
around you that there is focus and that you are committed to take
the organization to a specific destination.
Ability to create the plan : Once they
know where they want to be, successful managers know how to develop
a plan that will get them there. That means choosing the right
priorities for the situation and developing plans that are
aggressive but achievable. Planning is an essential ingredient for a
"high achiever" manager, but too many managers fail to plan.
Instead, they react, accomplishing much less than what the
organization is capable of. Having the ability to develop a plan
that addresses company goals and objectives positions you for more
responsibility. Planning denotes a sense of being proactive vs.
reactive.
Ability to build the team : Successful
managers know the importance of building a team that has depth as
well as skill in critical areas. A successful manager must know how
to improve an existing team, as well as how to build a new one from
scratch. Every good manager I've seen has the ability to build the
right team for the issues at hand and can anticipate what will be
needed in the future so that the team is prepared for new
challenges. Strong career managers are effective career builders of
people. They understand the importance of career and use career
building as a tool to develop a stronger team capable of operating
more independently.
Ability to focus the resources :
Focusing IT staff, money, and technology resources on key priorities
of the company is essential to achieving success. The technology
resources must be focused on initiatives that are in sync with
company needs and objectives, and they must deliver in a productive,
cost-effective manner. Career-minded people at any level understand
the need for strong focus.
Ability to implement a "client service"
mindset : A high level of client service is essential for any
IT organization. Successful managers create a culture that places
customer issues first—whether the customers are internal users or
external clients. Great IT managers know the reason they have
careers is because people need the technology and support services
that they provide, which is why successful IT managers build
excellent client relationships.
Ability to manage projects : The
cornerstone of any IT manager's j o b is that the organization can
deliver project initiatives in a predictable and cost-effective
manner. Effective project management discipline must be a key part
of any manager who expects to succeed. Regardless of your career
direction, strong project management skills will enhance your
opportunities.
Ability to implement change management
processes : Technology, by its nature, demands rapid change.
Every IT manager needs to be able to understand how to effectively
implement change, whether it's swapping out a PC, upgrading an
entire network, or developing and installing new software. Failure
to manage change effectively will cripple any manager.
Ability to lead and motivate : IT
organizations don't get a lot done unless they are motivated. IT
managers who can create significant momentum by virtue of strong
leadership and motivation techniques always achieve more than those
who can't. Getting things done through others is a key skill
required for management success.
Ability to communicate effectively :
Successful managers can communicate on many different levels with
all types of people. More than ever, career success is highly
dependent upon effective communication skills. Getting your message
across to technical staff as well as non technical clients, being
able to manage expectations effectively, and "netting out" issues
and project status with senior managers are necessary skills that
prevent many managers from achieving high levels of success. IT
managers who achieve the greatest career success are those who can
communicate effectively with all levels of people: employees, peers,
internal and external clients, vendors, and senior management.
Ability to track and measure performance
: It's important to set objectives and be able to measure
your progress. Successful managers establish specific measurements
that tell them and others how well the organization is doing and
provide feedback that helps managers "zero in" on issues that will
improve the organization's performance.
In conclusion
The best managers, and the ones with successful careers, have each
of the above-mentioned skills, and their competence transcends the
technical organizations and companies that they work for. Granted,
there are other skill and career traits that promote advancement and
success, such as working proactively, having strong follow-up
skills, and being able to negotiate with vendors successfully. But
when you dig down into the core competencies of a successful IT
management career, these 11 tend to stand out. Forging a successful
IT management career is one of the most challenging feats in any
company, because the role is constantly changing and being heavily
scrutinized by all. Developing each of these 11 traits as a core
competency within your personal makeup will help you achieve much
higher success levels and will position you for greater career
responsibility.
Regards
Nilachakra
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