In the current business world in which digital transformation needs are increasing, IT project outsourcing is tremendously rising as a popular way to manage software development projects. By outsourcing software projects to service providers, companies gain access to a broader range of expertise and technologies, saving time and money in the process. With an experienced, dedicated team of top developers on board, business owners can gain the competitive edge they need to succeed.
However, a successful project cannot be achieved without proper planning and direction by an experienced professional. This is when the role of a project manager (PM) comes in. Even though we all are aware of the importance of a PM, it may be unclear about what a technical project manager (TPM) is and how they differ from a sole project manager. That's why we are going to discuss the differences between these two roles and how they can be used as part of an IT project team.
Who are project managers?
A project manager is an essential role in any software development team setting, taking on the responsibility of planning and organizing a specific project. They must be able to oversee every element of the project's scope, budget, and timeline to ensure it remains on track and meets all its requirements. They are also involved in decisions relating to resources, such as selecting team members and arranging training items.
In detail, project managers are responsible for the following:
- Setting project objectives and goals
- Developing project plans and timelines
- Allocating resources to tasks
- Monitoring progress toward deadlines
- Identifying potential risks and developing mitigation strategies
- Communicating with stakeholders on project updates
- Coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to execute successful outcomes
- Evaluating completed projects against goals.
What are the skills required to become a project manager?
Project managers should possess a variety of skills and abilities necessary for successful project management. These include:
- Strong communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration between stakeholders
- Analytical problem-solving ability to assess problems and develop solutions quickly
- Organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage resources efficiently
- Leadership qualities to motivate teams and set realistic expectations
- Interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts among team members
- Decision-making capabilities to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
Who are technical project managers?
A technical project manager is essentially a specialized version of the traditional project manager. Their key responsibility is to ensure the successful outcome of technical projects through the effective management of resources, budgeting, scheduling, risk assessment, and quality assurance. They are also required to have greater technical knowledge and experience than their non-technical counterparts, to be able to confidently navigate the complex challenges posed by technical projects.
In detail, technical project managers are responsible for the following:
- Leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Developing project plans that incorporate technical requirements
- Estimating costs and timelines associated with technical tasks
- Developing risk management strategies
- Interpreting technical specifications and standards
- Coordinating with stakeholders to ensure projects meet objectives
- Performing quality assurance checks on deliverables
- Implementing software development methodologies.
What are the skills required to become a technical project manager?
Technical project managers should possess a variety of technical and non-technical skills necessary for successful project management. These include:
- Advanced technical knowledge to interpret complex requirements
- Strong communication skills to facilitate effective collaboration between stakeholders
- Analytical problem-solving ability to assess problems and develop solutions quickly
- Organizational skills to prioritize tasks and manage resources efficiently
- Leadership qualities to motivate teams and set realistic expectations
- Interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts among team members
- Decision-making capabilities to make sound decisions in a timely manner
- In-depth knowledge of software development methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum.
What are the main differences between a project manager and a technical project manager?
The primary distinction between a project manager and a technical project manager lies in their level of technical expertise. While both roles require an in-depth understanding of how to map out a plan, manage and organize stages as well as processes, and lead projects as well as development teams effectively, only the technical project managers require specialized knowledge, such as computer programming or engineering experience, to successfully complete the assigned tasks. As such, this role is more suited for those with specific backgrounds in technology-related fields, including software engineering or systems analysis.
Project managers focus on managing resources rather than technical aspects of projects; they must be well-versed in budgeting, scheduling, and communication strategies, as well as able to work with stakeholders from all areas within an organization. On the other hand, Technical Project Managers need great technical skills related to their area of expertise (e.g., software development), which allow them to understand complex requirements and develop practical solutions accordingly. They also need excellent problem-solving skills since they often face issues not encountered by other members of the team due to their higher level of knowledge about particular software or hardware systems.
Ultimately, the critical difference between a Project Manager and a Technical Project Manager lies in their level of technical expertise. While both roles require an understanding of how to plan and lead projects effectively, only the Technical Project Manager requires specialized knowledge such as computer programming or engineering experience to complete their tasks successfully. Thus, those considering a career in project management should assess their skills and interests carefully before deciding which role to pursue.
In a nutshell, Technical Project Managers are responsible for leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams, developing project plans with technical requirements, estimating costs and timelines, developing risk management strategies, interpreting technical specifications, coordinating with stakeholders to ensure projects meet objectives, performing quality assurance checks on deliverables, and implementing software development methodologies. They require a variety of both technical and non-technical skills in order to be successful. Project Managers, on the other hand, focus on managing resources rather than technical aspects of projects; they must have a good understanding of budgeting and scheduling as well as strong communication strategies. Both roles are essential for successful project management, but it is important to understand the differences between them before making a career choice.