Excellent information technology and communication skills are necessary for ICT project managers. To enter this career, one must earn a bachelor's degree and have experience in the field.
Essential Information
ICT project managers direct teams that solve problems and develop new ideas in the information and communication technology industry. The industry includes telecommunications, media, and information technology (IT), such as software and hardware development. IT project managers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and several years of relevant work experience.
| Required Education | A bachelor's degree in computer science or information science |
| Projected Job Growth | 10% for all computer and information systems managers from 2019-2029* |
| Average Salary (March 2021) | $88,983 for IT project managers** |
Sources: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com
Job Description
An ICT project manager is involved with an information technology or communications project from the planning stages through to the implementation of a solution. The manager assigns tasks, develops a time line, and sets the budget for the project. Other responsibilities involve coordinating meetings between team members and monitoring their ongoing progress. This professional must ensure the team has resources available to complete tasks - which may include materials, outside services, or additional workers.
Additional Duties
During the planning stage of a project, the manager develops the scope and goals for the team during each step in the process. Planning also includes the development of criteria or measurable data to determine the success of a project. Prior to encountering any obstacles, it's important to establish contingency plans with backup resources and accommodations for prospective delays. As a project proceeds, whether or not changes occur, it may affect other departments and coordinators, who must become apprised of new developments; communication is vital as steps are checked off.
A project manager must resolve conflicts and obstacles to keep the project on track. During the implementation phase of a project, he or she must analyze the results against a defined set of criteria. It's then important to identify and correct weaknesses.
Throughout the project, a manager must provide sponsors or upper management personnel with detailed reports of the project's progression that include budgets, milestones and analyses of implementation. Supervisors may require the project manager to make changes to the project based on reports, feedback, and updates.
Salary Estimate
The salary of a project manager in the IT industry depends on the level of experience the individual has with managing teams and projects. According to PayScale.com, IT project managers earned between $57,000 and $128,000 per year as of March 2021. The median annual salary earned by such project managers was reported as $88,983 by the same source.
ICT project managers oversee all phases of IT and communications projects. Their work includes managing budgets and timelines, and resolving problems as they arise. Jobs in this field are expected to grow much more quickly than the national average for all careers through 2029.
