How to be the Best Fit for a Technical Project Manager Job Description

With the fast pace of technological advancement, the demand for skilled technical project managers who can guide teams toward their objectives is skyrocketing. According to a report by the Project Management Institute, businesses will require 87.7 million people to fill project management positions by the year 2027. This means greater prospects for talented project managers. And for those looking to make the most of the opportunity, it is important to know the requirements that fall under the technical project manager job description.

Let’s explore this particular role within the tech industry in more detail.

Technical Project Manager Job Description

From analyzing the project to planning and scheduling every aspect, the technical project manager performs a host of duties. They should fulfill knowledge requirements, educational requirements, and training requirements to become skilled technical project managers. Furthermore, they need to predict project expenditures, plan project timetables, display assured and confident decision-making, and secure resources such as computer hardware and software. Technical project managers work with teams to organize and address technical issues.

General Responsibilities of a Technical Project Manager

Projects with a high level of technicalities are assigned to technical project managers. Their general responsibilities include:

1. Planning
   A technical project manager needs to face deadlines from time to time. So planning everything in advance is a priority. Based on the necessary resources, they need to assemble a project team, identify possible risks, and establish project milestones.
2. Organizing
   Technical project managers typically have sizable teams working on various project components. They need to divide the work and resources among the team leaders and potential team members.
3. Execution
   The technical project manager needs to oversee and execute the major phases of the project.
4. Budget Management
   Project management includes a significant amount of financial management. Therefore, a technical project manager needs to handle budgets that are often limited and necessitate regular modification when project requirements change or unforeseen expenditures arise.
5. Brainstorming
   A technical project manager is likely to be involved right from the outset of a project when the specifics of the deliverables are still being worked out among the team members.

Technical Project Manager Skill Set

To become a technical project manager, you need to enhance your technical and general skills. Technical skills include gaining expertise in the following:

• Agile: You can use agile methodologies to divide projects into stages
• Lean: Using Lean, you can reduce resource wastage and enhance the value of each project
• PRINCE2: Gaining expertise in this skill helps you to take a process-oriented approach and manage and control projects
• Waterfall: It helps you assign each element of a project to a phase and complete that phase sequentially

However, soft skills are equally important for this role. Some of the key soft skills you need include the following:

• Research Skills: There may be moments when a technical project manager needs to determine why the outcome of a product is better or worse than anticipated. For this, there is a need for proper R&D
  
• Leadership: As a technical project manager, you need to lead a group of professionals while working on multiple projects. For this, it’s important to have strong leadership skills, which will ensure that you can lead by example and motivate others to work efficiently
  
• Communication: A project manager should communicate clearly with the team, organizational leaders, and stakeholders for a smooth workflow
• Organized: To be organized, your reports must be carefully written, arranged, and uploaded as necessary. Additionally, managing your employees’ tasks and deadlines is essential
• Decision-Making: At every stage of the project, a technical project manager needs to make decisions and that should only be based on the facts and the best interests of the project.
• Problem-Solving Attitude: You need to evaluate a problem from several angles and arrive at the best solution.

ALSO READ: Who is a Technical Project Manager and How to Become One in 2022

Technical Project Manager Educational Qualifications

According to Glassdoor, 85% of people employed as technical project managers have a bachelor’s degree. Hence, to start your career as a technical project manager, a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or any related field is essential. Furthermore, a technical project manager internship that allows you to acquire hands-on experience can be beneficial when applying for entry-level positions. A master’s degree is very helpful as are relevant certifications. You can explore project management courses from Emeritus that are affiliated with world-renowned universities for additional qualifications. 

Technical Project Manager Experience Requirements

Besides acquiring educational qualifications in computer science, management, and communication, it’s pivotal for technical project managers to earn a minimum of three years of management experience in the IT field. Moreover, exposure to project-based computer development tasks and working experience with the IT team are add-ons that a technical project manager can showcase in his/her resume. 

Can a Technical Project Manager Work Remotely?

Technical project manager’s job roles include everything from development to implementation. Project managers can work remotely by successfully coordinating and consolidating the work being put in by different teams. While handling client projects, they can stay connected with the client’s representative to streamline communication and workflow. 

Technical Project Manager Salary Range

For entry-level positions, there is an expectation of $65,000 as remuneration annually. Professionals with one to four years of experience can expect an annual salary of $78,000. Technical project managers in the five-to-nine-year experience bracket can typically expect to make $92,000 annually. You may make up to $105,000 as an experienced technical project manager having 10 to 19 years of experience. That rises to $122,000 for individuals with more than 20 years of work experience.

All in all, the salary range for technical project managers is between $79,342 and $151,772. You can expect an average income of $101,228 in the U.S. Salary ranges will vary significantly based on a variety of crucial aspects, including qualification, skill set, experience in the same field, etc.

Technical Project Manager Certifications

Project management certification can be pursued after you complete a boot camp or online course to get the necessary hard skills and practical experience. These certifications demonstrate your advanced technical expertise in addition to your commercial savvy in project management.

Any technical project manager that adds one of these certificates to their resume will enhance their chances.

• Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP)
• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) 

A corporation needs the direction and management of an expert to properly execute a project from beginning to end. The role of a technical project manager, therefore, is necessary, challenging, and in high demand. If you are interested in this profile, then browse through Emeritus’ online courses in project management.

By Mikhil Pathak

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