Software Project Manager (though broadly sometimes called like an Associate Software Development Manager) is a role in the project management field of the software industry. The job duties of a Software Project Manager Organization can differ from one to another company and one sector to another sector; however, the core responsibilities remain the same, and they are:
Being a Software Project/Product Manager is not for everyone. Yes, you will need to know the tools of the trade, how to work with your team(s), manage stakeholders, communicate with sponsors, be able to observe sessions of stakeholders using your product, have excellent communication skills-providing status updates that are clear and accurate, reduce issues before they arrive on the project, etc. There are several other key attributes you need to have or learn to be considered seriously for the role of being a Software Product/Project Manager.
Roles of a Project Manager
Leader
A project manager must lead his team towards success. He should provide them direction and make them understand what is expected of them. Clearly explain the roles of each member of the team. He must build a team comprising of individuals with different skills so that each member contributes effectively to the best of their abilities.
Liaison
The project manager is a link between his clients, his team and his own supervisors. He must coordinate and transfer all the relevant information from the clients to his team and report to the upper management. He should work closely with analysts, software designers and other staff members and communicate the goals of the project. He monitors the progress of the project, taking action accordingly.
Mentor
He must be there to guide his team at every step and ensure that the team has cohesion. He provides advice to his team wherever they need it and points them in the right direction.
Responsibilities of a Project Manager
Planning
In order for a project to be successful and completed within a specified time the project manager for a software company must plan effectively. This also includes:
Scope: The project manager must clearly define the scope of the project and answer questions like, who is the customer? What need will the software satisfy? How will it be beneficial to others? What are the operational requirements for the project?
Activity Schedules: Making activity schedules and planning out the activities according o the time frame is extremely important. He must first list out the jobs to be done and then allot specific jobs to team members. For each job there are different tasks to be accomplished which must be clearly outlined. Identifying and specifying the critical activities of the project and then equally delegating the roles to each member of the team.
Gantt Chart: Once the activities and their different tasks have been outlined, he must list all the activities in a Gantt chart and allot time frames for their completion. This always helps in deciding deadlines for the various activities and also in refining the project plan as it moves along.
Potential Risks: He must plan for any hindrances that might occur during the course of the project. Risk management is an integral part of the project and ensures the presence of a backup plan. Some of the potential risks could be:
- Design variations
- Variations by the client
- Occurrence of dispute and fixing any discrepancies arising due to personal conflicts between the team members.
- Incomplete or inaccurate cost estimate
- He must be the one to take the decision of handling any free riders in the team and decide on how they are to be handled.
- If the project has been delayed then he must try to fix the gap brought about by the delay.
Setting Goals
He must set measurable goals that should define the overall project’s objective.
For example: Complete the project within six months from start date in the budget of xxx amount.
It is concise, crisp and outlines the objective clearly.
Time Management
Time estimation for the various activities is of major significance as it helps set the daily priorities of each team member. A project manager has to properly time all the activities for the completion of the project and also prepare for any delays in any of the activities.
Budget Allocation and Cost Estimates
Project manager must assign budgets to the various activities and make any cost considerations that there might be.
Implementation and Monitoring
Implementation of the project’s activities includes delegating different activities and ensuring their completion on time. Executing the plan of action and ensuring that it is monitored along the way is a key responsibility if his. A project manager must set out the project boundaries and scope for the project which them formulates itself into a plan of action and assists in successful completion of the project.
Plan and Develop the Project Idea
Every project starts as an idea. It’s a project manager’s job to work with internal stakeholders and external clients to define that concept and create a process to bring it to fruition. This includes setting and managing client expectations, developing a detailed project plan, defining the scope of the project and assigning team members to specific tasks.
Create and Lead Your Dream Team
Project managers are accountable for every aspect of the project, including leading a team capable of meeting or exceeding client expectations for their vision. Successful project managers assemble and manage these individuals to make a fine-tuned project machine. If the team needs guidance, training or coaching, it’s a project manager’s responsibility to set them up for success.
In order to build and maintain a dynamic team mentality, a project manager must be able to keep open and honest communication, form working relationships and motivate anyone who needs it.
Monitor Project Progress and Set Deadlines
Organization and follow-through are a big part of a project manager’s job. From creating an accurate timeline of project completion to ensuring tasks are finished within the confines of the assignment, the project manager must remain aware of how the project is progressing.
The project manager also anticipates delays that may occur on the client side and apprises the team of any changes in the client’s needs.
Solve Issues That Arise
During every project, issues arise that need to be solved. The project manager is the first person who clients and team members turn to when something goes wrong, so it is in these professionals’ best interest to anticipate any potential hiccups before they happen. Adaptability and problem solving are key to keeping control of a project.
One issue that project managers need to have a plan for is change or expansion in a project’s deliverables throughout a project, also known as scope creep. This usually occurs when the scope of a project wasn’t properly defined from the start, and it can seriously affect the timeline and budget.
Manage the Money
Budget management is another primary project manager duty. These professionals make sure that the project gets done without excessive spending. A good project manager has mastered the art of cost efficiency.
Project managers also must be transparent and realistic about the cost so clients are aware from the beginning how much they are likely to spend.
Ensure Stakeholder Satisfaction
Project managers have the closest relationship with clients of anyone who works on a project. Because of this, it is important that they keep open lines of communication for updates and feedback. If any issues or changes arise in the timeline of a project, for example, the project manager is in charge of keeping the client up to date.
Evaluate Project Performance
After a project is finished, the project manager is responsible for evaluating its efficiency and effectiveness. With the data they’ve tracked throughout the process, they can begin to identify shortcomings and plan for ways to fix similar issues in the future. This is also an opportunity to highlight what went right, including building camaraderie and rewarding team members who excelled during the project.
Plan and Develop the Project Idea
Every project starts as an idea. It’s a project manager’s job to work with internal stakeholders and external clients to define that concept and create a process to bring it to fruition. This includes setting and managing client expectations, developing a detailed project plan, defining the scope of the project and assigning team members to specific tasks.
Create and Lead Your Dream Team
Project managers are accountable for every aspect of the project, including leading a team capable of meeting or exceeding client expectations for their vision. Successful project managers assemble and manage these individuals to make a fine-tuned project machine. If the team needs guidance, training or coaching, it’s a project manager’s responsibility to set them up for success.
In order to build and maintain a dynamic team mentality, a project manager must be able to keep open and honest communication, form working relationships and motivate anyone who needs it.
Monitor Project Progress and Set Deadlines
Organization and follow-through are a big part of a project manager’s job. From creating an accurate timeline of project completion to ensuring tasks are finished within the confines of the assignment, the project manager must remain aware of how the project is progressing.
The project manager also anticipates delays that may occur on the client side and apprises the team of any changes in the client’s needs.
Solve Issues That Arise
During every project, issues arise that need to be solved. The project manager is the first person who clients and team members turn to when something goes wrong, so it is in these professionals’ best interest to anticipate any potential hiccups before they happen. Adaptability and problem solving are key to keeping control of a project.
One issue that project managers need to have a plan for is change or expansion in a project’s deliverables throughout a project, also known as scope creep. This usually occurs when the scope of a project wasn’t properly defined from the start, and it can seriously affect the timeline and budget.
Manage the Money
Budget management is another primary project manager duty. These professionals make sure that the project gets done without excessive spending. A good project manager has mastered the art of cost efficiency.
Project managers also must be transparent and realistic about the cost so clients are aware from the beginning how much they are likely to spend.
Ensure Stakeholder Satisfaction
Project managers have the closest relationship with clients of anyone who works on a project. Because of this, it is important that they keep open lines of communication for updates and feedback. If any issues or changes arise in the timeline of a project, for example, the project manager is in charge of keeping the client up to date.
Evaluate Project Performance
After a project is finished, the project manager is responsible for evaluating its efficiency and effectiveness. With the data they’ve tracked throughout the process, they can begin to identify shortcomings and plan for ways to fix similar issues in the future. This is also an opportunity to highlight what went right, including building camaraderie and rewarding team members who excelled during the project.
Managing reports and necessary documentation
Finally, when the project is completed on time and on a budget, the project manager has to then provide an appropriate documentation to present the final reports to clients and identify the areas where there is a need for future development. This is also a major responsibility of a project manager for project development. It has two main functions:
To maintain a record of what has been done in the project and who have been involved in it.
Conclusion
Software Project Manager is a leadership role in product development process. It’s owner is an individual accountable for the overall product quality and project success. It handles the whole lifecycle of the product from gathering requirements to overseeing production and release.