Project management is a dynamic field that requires a diverse set of skills and expertise. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work in various project management roles, each with its own unique challenges and responsibilities. In this blog post, I will share my experiences and insights into some of the different types of project management roles I have encountered.
1. Project Manager
The project manager is the captain of the ship, responsible for overseeing the entire project from start to finish. They are the ones who define the project scope, create the project plan, allocate resources, and ensure that everything is on track. A project manager needs to be a great communicator, a skilled problem solver, and an effective leader. This role usually gets face
Pro Insights 💡
You’ll find this at more traditional companies with a lot of red tape. However, now that more companies are incorporating complex IT systems into their workflow the need for agility is becoming paramount in creating value. If you’re applying for this role, you’ll get more visibility if you have an agile certification (CSM, SAFe 😖, CSPO).
Common Frameworks
- Waterfall – Predetermined phases with a lot of planning completed up front
- SDLC – IT/Technology version of the Waterfall framework
- SDLC/Agile Hybrid – Predetermined phases for the MVP of a new application or system (Agile purists hate this one because the development phase is the only place where Senior Leadership likes to add agility 😂)
2. Scrum Master
In an agile environment, the Scrum Master plays a crucial role in facilitating the smooth execution of an IT project. They are responsible for ensuring that the Scrum framework is followed, organizing and leading daily stand-up meetings, removing any obstacles that may hinder the team’s progress, and promoting collaboration and self-organization within the team.
Pro Insights 💡
The Scrum Master role is usually supplementary to another role within the dev team (developer, product owner) as most teams can’t justify paying a facilitator long-term.
Traditionally, Scrum Masters don’t assist with any project related duties. If you get an offer for a full-time role as a Scrum Master, you’re likely going to help with support or requirement gathering.
If you’re a Freelancer, expect the contract to be short.
3. Product Owner
The Product Owner is the voice of the customer. They are responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, ensuring that the team is working on the most valuable features, and providing clear and concise requirements to the development team. A good Product Owner needs to have a deep understanding of the customer’s needs and be able to effectively communicate and advocate for them.
Pro Insights 💡
This is the most rewarding and fun role within Project Management as your focus is solely the application or experience you are creating for the end user. You’ll have less traditional project management duties as someone else would be doing this on the team but you’ll have to be quite tech savvy, exceptionally creative and great with documentation.
You will have to translate very complex IT jargon into a language your stakeholders can digest. You will also have to translate the needs of the customer very clearly to the development team so that they deliver as close to the needs as possible.
4. Project Coordinator
A Project Coordinator is like the glue that holds everything together. They assist the project manager in various administrative tasks, such as scheduling meetings, tracking project deliverables, and maintaining project documentation. They are also responsible for ensuring that all team members are aware of their tasks and deadlines, and that everyone is working towards the common goal.
Pro Insights 💡
This role is probably the fastest way to learn how to successfully manage projects. You gain a mentor with the Project Manager running the show, you facilitate meetings, you work closely with the development team. You will wear many hats in this role.
In my opinion, this is the best place to start. Do this role for a year or two to find out what role you’d like to play in Project Management.
Conclusion
These are just a few examples of the different project management roles I have experienced throughout my career in Tech. Each role comes with its own set of challenges and responsibilities, but all are essential for successful project execution. Whether you find yourself in one of these roles or a combination of them, remember that project management is a constantly evolving field, and there is always something new to learn and explore.
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