A Beginner’s Guide to IT Project ManagementA crash course in how IT teams manage their work to maximum efficiency

Introduction“What is IT project management?” The simple answer is those efforts involved with managing the processes and activities associated with ensuring the success of IT projects or systems management-related responsibilities. But to more fully understand what is at the heart of IT project management, it helps to consider a few more questions…

What is an IT project?It can be any type of project that deals with IT infrastructure, information systems, or computer technology. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:- Developing a mobile app- Programming large-scale software systems- Updating a web page, creating an online shopping site- Developing an entire Web infrastructure- Designing an organization’s IT infrastructure- Employing IT security measures

These are the most common IT project categories:- Research- Service- Software development- System deployment- Change management- Infrastructure- Needs assessment

What do IT project managers do?IT project management starts with assessing, prioritizing, and planning potential IT projects. This includes:- Determining the scope of work and

available resources- Assigning resources- Setting expectations for project

milestones

From there, IT project managers take on other project management activities, including:- Coordinating the project workload and

workflows- Managing the actual work- Producing project deliverables- Facilitating communication and collaboration

between team members- Measuring the project’s results

What is an IT project management methodology?For an IT manager, project management methodologies are all about specifying the best way to initiate, plan and execute IT projects. Waterfall and Agile are two of the most prominent methodologies used in IT project management today.Each methodology has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Waterfall is considered a more traditional methodology. It employs a sequential, top-down approach to IT project management with the goal of eliminating risk and uncertainty upfront.

Agile is a relatively new methodology. It’s grown in popularity with its change-driven approach that gives IT project teams the dynamic ability to quickly adapt to needed changes and make course corrections.

Some IT project managers implement a hybrid approach with their teams, using the methodology that makes the most sense for the specific IT project being considered.

What tools do IT project managers use?It depends. Individuals or small groups that only need to manage small IT projects might be able to get away with using spreadsheets and email.Just beware: these systems can lead to significant inefficiencies, miscommunications, and other problems as projects grow in size.

And then there are software solutions that are made specifically for IT project management. These can simplify and enhance the efforts of IT project managers and teams, but you have to be careful.Many of these solutions are designed strictly for project execution, while neglecting other important IT project management activities.

The best IT project management system is one that facilitates all aspects of management, including:- Request management- Project assessment- Prioritization- Planning- Collaboration- Reporting- Accommodating multiple PM

methodologies

IT project managers will also get more value out of a PM solution that centralizes project data, makes data accessible to involved via the cloud, and gathers that data in real time as projects roll out.

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