Software development to project management

M

maxXED

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Sep 18, 2008
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Hi,
I have been developing software for over twenty years and as much as I enjoy it still I am considering moving into IT Project management.
Can any one offer any advice in terms of a study plan? Any recommended courses/ resources. Is there a market?
To be honest I love developing software but feel its time for a change.
 
Before you consider that- how are your people skills?

Also, it is very difficult at times to go from a technical role into a project management one- because you tend to focus on the technical aspects more than the PM-related ones. This could hamper your ability to get the critical components of the project going.

It is a massive change, because you are now on the other side of the fence, responsible for all the resources work as well as your own. Time, resource and cost management are now aspects that you will need to manage with a fine-toothed comb.

Just my 2c.
 
maxXED said:
Hi,
I have been developing software for over twenty years and as much as I enjoy it still I am considering moving into IT Project management.
Can any one offer any advice in terms of a study plan? Any recommended courses/ resources. Is there a market?
To be honest I love developing software but feel its time for a change.
Click to expand...

I've gone dev->lead, dev->manager, dev->manager and dev/architect (who is currently looking for 2 direct reports - sigh) at four different companies. I can't say that the management roles were particularly awesome - the change was good sometimes, and I enjoyed it for a while, but it's not very intellectually stimulating. My "best moves" came from changing the industries (academia, (non semiconductor) engineering, semiconductors, finance, ec.) and type of environments (startup, big corporation, boutique, etc.).

What type of SW do you write? Your best move may be to just work on something radically different in a new environment.
 
maxXED said:
Hi,
I have been developing software for over twenty years and as much as I enjoy it still I am considering moving into IT Project management.
Can any one offer any advice in terms of a study plan? Any recommended courses/ resources. Is there a market?
To be honest I love developing software but feel its time for a change.
Click to expand...

Become a contractor and take on a few clients. Keeps the job interesting and challenging.
I have around 25 years now and still love it - because of this. Getting me to put in 14 to 16 hour days requires no incentive.

My wife was a project manager, then programme manager, and moving into a development manager role. She keeps trying to get me to go management and I refuse. Freaking love to code. And make more than most managers I know anyway - so cash not an incentive.
 
bleh, project management !! the art of begging people to do what they are paid to do.

rather pull teeth from a tiger
 
zippy said:
bleh, project management !! the art of begging people to do what they are paid to do.

rather pull teeth from a tiger
Click to expand...

No wonder IT projects are usually so badly managed.

A project manager should:

A. Run interference to allow developers to do their job and not be hampered by the whims of upper management.
B. Manage client expectations.
C. Coordinate and facilitate inter-team interactions.
D. Manage cost and time.
E. Ensure that team members have the tools (specifications, etc.) to do their jobs

If the company culture is right and you hire the
 
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