3 Traits of A Good IT Program Manager

Whether a business is planning to outsource IT projects or looking to build an internal IT team, it needs a professional IT Program Manager to be successful. Simply having someone who understands IT and creates operations is not enough.  A good program manager knows to execute projects on time and on budget. And good program managers also take pains to deliver agreed upon project scope consistently. But truly great project leaders go above and beyond. Among other things, not only do they execute projects within scope; they are accountable, strategic business partners fully vested in organizational success.

Much has changed in 2020. Managing projects has become more complex as a result of COVID-19. Simply having the necessary technical skills is not enough for a program manager. Coupled with the necessary technical skills, the following traits will provide any business with a strong IT program manager.

A Strategic Business Partner

Program managers who can offer higher-level strategic leadership skills, not just technical management skills, provide significant advantages for organizations of all sizes. Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, there are far more complex factors, both internal and external, that can negatively impact projects of all types. Such factors include triple bottom line (economic, ecological, and social outcomes), legal and legislative restrictions, remote project issues, and international and cultural factors — not to mention significant resource constraints and delays.

Factors such as these create additional hurdles that a program manager must deal with. If an IT program manager doesn’t have a strong understanding of how a project fits within the overall company-wide strategic goals, it would significantly hamper the chances of delivering effective outcomes.

Organizations that are in a constant battle to improve their organizational efficiency often lose sight of their long-term strategic goals and the necessary recourses needed in order to fulfill those goals.

Effective & Efficient Communication

Considering communication plays a significant role in managing projects, teams, and other stakeholders, it is the most critical skill. Communication doesn't just mean being a stellar facilitator, speaker, or writer; it requires good listening skills. Actively listening to directions, goals, and visions taking context into account is of value. Listening to others' views and taking into account their experiences and knowledge helps to reduce potential conflict and risks due to blind spots and increases the likelihood of project success.

Working in the Median, A Gray Area

What truly sets a program manager apart is his or her ability to work in the gray. This is a must-have skill since the majority of projects, regardless of type, industry, size, or complexity, will have gray areas the business will need to navigate at some point.

Issues with external constraints and complexities, remote project limitations, conflict and ambiguity — these and other uncertainties will almost certainly be encountered. According to Joyce Wilson-Sanford, an executive coach, consultant, and writer says the ability to approach change in an organization, to see when a project is in trouble or can cause trouble, and to not get rattled by delay or crisis or budget cuts is key. Project managers with high technical and high people skills are a tough combination to find, she says. And when you combine those with the ability to work in the gray, you are a very effective project manager indeed.

As we can see a good project manager is good with not just the technical aspects, but also has the necessary skills to effectively have a long-term vision for the company, is an effective communicator, and works well around uncertainty. Sliver Business Services specialize in being an outsourced IT partner, and we help with creating the frameworks for IT needs in all departments. Sliver also provides hiring services, if you are looking for an IT project or program manager that does more than just technical work, then Sliver can help you find strong candidates and screen them, so that a IT department can develop a great team.

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For more information on how Sliver can help your company find the most qualified Program Manager for the execution of your IT strategy or implementation of business-critical technology systems, email us at info@sliverusa.com.