IT project managers oversee the development and implementation of technology to meet clients' specific business needs. They may work for a company specialising in IT or for any organisation that relies heavily on IT systems. 

Common employers include:

• IT and telecommunications companies
• banks and financial institutions
• local authorities and public sector organisations.

The work will vary widely depending on the company. Projects can range from managing the installation of a new electronic patient record system in the health service to upgrading telephony networks in a call centre. Projects can be in-house or for external clients.

IT project managers use project management tools, software and methodologies to implement plans. During the roll-out of a new system they will normally be responsible for ensuring a smooth transition from one IT system to the next.

Typical tasks include:

• defining objectives
• putting together the project team
• planning project stages 
• risk assessment 
• coordinating the work of the project team
• scheduling workloads and timescales
• monitoring progress and ensuring costs, timescales and quality are within agreed limits
• correcting deviations from plans
• keeping managers and clients up to date with progress
• signing off and evaluating completed tasks.

Senior project managers work with management teams, shaping project management strategy, managing large-scale and high-risk projects, controlling overall expenditure and managing relationships with project partners.

Hours and Environment

Project managers work normal office hours, but overtime may be necessary depending on deadlines.

Work is office-based but some time is spent visiting clients.

Skills and Interests

As a project manager in IT, you should:

• have excellent organisational and leadership skills
• have excellent analytical skills
• be able to understand complex information and requirements
• be able to prioritise key elements of an assignment
• be able to evaluate on-going projects and modify plans where necessary
• have a methodical and structured approach to projects
• have excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• have excellent IT skills
• be very flexible
• have a good understanding of business demands
• be able to work effectively with other professionals
• be able to work within time, budgetary and quality constraints
• be able to meet deadlines.

Entry

You need several years' relevant experience preferably backed up with formal qualifications such as a foundation degree, degree or postgraduate qualification in computing or project management. Qualifications in information systems or related disciplines would be acceptable, as would a business-related degree with a technical component.

Entry requirements for a degree course are normally five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), and two A levels/three H grades, or equivalent qualifications. An Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

You can move into this role if you are already working as an IT professional and have taken on responsibility for development and implementation of projects.

You may be able enter this field if you have existing project management skills from other occupational sectors but have moved into IT, or have been given responsibility for developing a project that involves an information technology component.

Knowledge of common methodologies, such as PRINCE2 is useful, although not always essential. Similarly, an understanding of project management software related to your sector may be helpful. However, experience of managing projects is usually considered more important by companies, as they can provide specific training once employed.

For information on PRINCE2 and software training provision, see the Association for Project Management (APM) and PRINCE2 websites in Further Information.

For details about this career, qualification pathways and training providers, see the websites for the APM, British Computer Society and e-skills UK in Further Information.

Training

The type of training depends on whether you are already an IT professional or you come from a business background with project management experience.

In the former case, there are specific IT project management qualifications available through the Association of Project Management (APM) and the Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB). In the latter, there are generic qualifications such as degrees and postgraduate level courses, NVQs at levels 4 and 5 and qualifications offered by the Institute of Project Management (IPM). An outline of requirements is listed below.

Information Systems Examinations Board
Foundation Certificate: this is an entry-level qualification for those coming into IT project management and require a solid grounding in the basics. There are no formal entry requirements other than a working knowledge of IT.

Certificate in Project Management for Information Systems: this requires a minimum of four years' experience in information systems and completion of an accredited short pre-certificate training course, or three years' experience as a project manager using established methodologies accompanied by a report detailing your work experience.

The route to qualification involves passing three stages:

• tutor assessment on the preparatory course or submission of reports from your line manager
• a written exam
• an oral test.

The Association of Project Management (APM)
Introductory Certificate: no formal knowledge or experience is required to take this. The Certificate covers the basics for anyone wishing to move in to this field as a career.

APMP: this is open to anyone working in the project management field. The exam has two papers that assess the candidate's knowledge and understanding across a wide range of practices and issues in project management.

Certificated Project Manager (CPM): to achieve this you must be a full member of the Association of Project Management, and you should be currently managing a project or have managed a project within the last five years.

These qualifications acknowledge your competence as a project manager and are recognised by the International Project Management Association (IPMA). They can also lead to exemption from the written examination stage of the ISEB Certificate in Project Management.

NVQ/SVQ
If you are already working in project management, NVQ/SVQs in Project Management at levels four and five are available. Level four is aimed at operational project managers responsible for implementation and delivery of a project; level five is geared towards project managers working at a strategic level.

Foundation degree/degree/postgraduate qualifications
Several universities offer foundation degrees, degrees and postgraduate qualifications in computing and project management that can be used for entry onto graduate training schemes.

The Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Professional (PMP) exam assesses your professional knowledge in five key areas:

• initiating
• planning
• executing
• controlling
• closing.

You need a minimum of a degree qualification and have at least 4,500 hours' experience, gained over three to six years, or be educated to A level standard or equivalent and have a minimum of 7,500 hours' experience gained over five to eight years.

The exam consists of a four-hour multiple choice test covering the five process areas listed above.

The PMI is a US based organisation that works with slightly different methodologies than UK professional bodies. If you are working for a US company in the UK or EU you may be expected to attain these qualifications; this also applies if you are looking to work in the US.

For details about options for professional development, see the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) website. Some of the professional bodies listed in Further Information have developed the framework in conjunction with industry. It allows IT professionals, training providers and employers to reference their skills or requirements and help identify career development pathways.

Opportunities

Opportunities for IT project managers are growing as more companies use computerised information systems to manage and develop their operations.

There are opportunities to work overseas, especially if you are working for a multi-national company.

The organisations listed in Further Information offer continuing professional development schemes for their members, which allow progression into more strategic roles at company, inter-company, national and international levels.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Salaries for new entrants range between £24,000 and £29,000.
For experienced managers this rises to between £31,500 and £40,000.
Senior project managers can earn upwards of £45,000 a year.

Salaries are dependent on the type of role and the scale of the project. Additional benefits such as bonuses may be available based on meeting successful completion dates.

Further information

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