Product Specialist

What you do

If you are in the position of project manager in the project management stream, you will be responsible for the overall coordination of systems development and/or implementation for major applications.

Job stream: Project Management

Sample titles:

• Project Manager
• Project Office Manager
• Project Leader
• Team Leader
• Project Support Specialist
• Project Analyst

Career Spotlight

Jill Perry, Product Specialist

Who you do it for

Project manager positions can be found throughout both the private and public sectors. Positions can also be found in consulting firms which contract out project managers.

How you do it

Depending on the project, in your job as a project manager you will be involved in planning and directing project resources. To do this, you will be involved with a project from the beginning to the end. Generally, you are responsible for ensuring:

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• the informatics project delivers what it is supposed to,
• the project is proceeding as budgeted,
• the project is on time, and
• the staffing of positions is effective.

In other words, you are responsible for the whole systems development or implementation of the project. In your job as project manager, you will be expected to know what is happening with the project at any moment in time. You are also responsible for most of the decisions associated with the project.

To begin any project, you will draft the project plan. This will involve identifying:

• expectations and objectives of the project,
• all critical points in the project,
• project schedule and critical path,
• risks and critical success factors,
• budget, and
• resources.

You will then break down the work structure and begin assigning people to the various teams. Once everyone is working in their various teams, you will, as the title suggests, manage it and ensure that everyone meets their schedule. Throughout the project, it may be necessary to alter your work structure to meet deadlines.

Challenges

The major challenges you will face as a project manager will deal with ensuring that the project is delivered as promised and does not run over-budget or late. In addition, you will have to deal with a lot of different personalities. At points, the job can prove to be extremely challenging and stressful.

Skills

Project managers:

• gather and interpret relevant data and information,
• interact with computer technology to solve a variety of complex problems,
• exercise independent judgement,
• provide clear direction of goals and responsibilities,
• communicate clear and consistent information,
• think analytically and problem solve,
• make effective decisions under pressure,
• explain complex information simply and accurately,
• pay attention to detail and work effectively under pressure, manage and supervise people, and
• apply leadership.

Working Conditions

Expectations at the management level are different and overtime in many organizations is considered part of the job. As a project manager, you will be expected to ensure your project meets deadlines, and to do this, you may work a significant amount of overtime.

Most project managers work in comfortable offices. Opportunities exist for self employment and contract work.

Like other workers who spend their time in front of a computer terminal, project managers are susceptible to eyestrain, back discomfort and hand and wrist problems.

What the Future Holds

The overall growth prospects for project management positions are expected to remain high. Opportunities will exist for individuals who have good project management skills and a strong business acumen with a background in IT.

Skill Levels

Entry Level Project Manager

Working under the supervision of a more senior informatics staff member, you could be required to do any of the following:

• Liaise with project leaders to analyze and meet their information needs,
• Assist in the analysis of information needs and change requirements when necessary,
• Provide user support associated with system change,
• Coordinate and facilitate between work groups,
• Use project management systems to facilitate the change process,
• Assist in producing specification documents and broadcasts, and
• Produce statistical reports for senior coordinators and working groups.

Full Working Project Manager

In the full working project manager position, you will be performing the job without supervision, and you may be responsible for the supervision of other staff on a project. In addition, you may be responsible for small projects or portions of medium-large projects, and you may also be required to:

• Coordinate and schedule projects by gaining commitment from groups,
• Develop and monitor project plans, ensuring milestones are being met,
• Liaise with project leaders and outside organizations to meet information systems needs,
• Provide proposals, recommendations, advice on system requirements, etc.,
• Organize and administer small to medium size projects,
• Maintain open lines of communication between groups,
• Ensure project tasks are completed; support user groups in coordination,
• Produce project plans and monthly status report,
• Interpret policies and guidelines; provide advice to systems staff, and
• Train, coordinate and direct staff on project-related activities.

Intermediate Project Manager

In the intermediate project manager position, you will be expected to supervise staff. You may also be required to:

• Coordinate and schedule changes to information systems,
• Analyze projects to determine the impact of change,
• Provide technical and project management expertise,
• Maintain open lines of communication in implementing systems change,
• Train information systems staff and user groups,
• Produce bidding specifications, project plans, status reports, and
• Train, discipline and appraise staff.

Senior Project Management

In the senior project manager position, you will most likely be involved in planning, conducting and supervising complex informatics assignments. You will also be involved in designing and applying new methods and procedures and supervising staff. You could also be required to:

• Define resourcing requirements for major change management activities,
• Ensure that projects are properly scheduled,
• Provide senior technical and project management expertise,
• Develop complex methods for deploying applications , resolving conflicts, etc.,
• Ensure that open lines of communication are present,
• Ensure others meet all organizational requirements and standards,
• Develop and maintain supportive service guidelines for project management,
• Review bidding specifications and prepare contract language,
• Provide and monitor budgets and report to senior management,
• Train, discipline and appraise staff, and
• Communicate project coordination concepts and solutions.

Salary Range

$54,000 - $96,500

Education and Training

Junior Project Manager

You need a university degree or college diploma with 3-5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in this stream.

Full Working Project Manager

This level requires 5 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university degree or college diploma.

Intermediate Project Manager

This level requires 5-7 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience in addition to a university degree or college diploma.

Senior Project Manager

This level requires 7-9 years experience in the IT industry and specific job experience as well as a university degree or college diploma.