IT project managers and IT managers are both important roles in the technology field, but they serve different purposes. While there is some overlap in their duties, they each have unique responsibilities and require different skills.
What is an IT Project Manager?
An IT project manager is responsible for overseeing technology projects from start to finish. Their primary duty is to plan, execute, monitor, control and close projects within the IT department. They create project plans, assemble project teams, manage resources, coordinate communication and track progress to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
IT project managers possess a diverse range of technical and business skills. Key abilities include:
- Project planning and scheduling
- Budgeting and cost management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Resource allocation
- Team leadership and conflict resolution
- Vendor management
- Technical knowledge
- Business analysis
An IT project manager acts as the liaison between the IT team and stakeholders. They work closely with management, end users, vendors and team members at all levels to keep everyone aligned. Their main priority is meeting project requirements and objectives.
What is an IT Manager?
An IT manager is responsible for managing the IT department and staff on an ongoing basis. Their key duties include:
- Overseeing daily IT operations
- Establishing IT policies, standards and procedures
- Planning and coordinating IT resources and activities
- Managing IT budgets and assets
- Leading and developing an IT team
- Assessing current IT systems and recommending upgrades
- Representing the IT department to executives and stakeholders
- Ensuring IT services align with business objectives
The IT manager role is a leadership position that requires both technical expertise and business acumen. Essential skills include:
- IT operations and infrastructure management
- Vendor, contract and license management
- Budgeting and financial planning
- Staff recruitment, training and performance management
- Understanding of business goals and processes
- Strategic planning and decision-making
- Communication, collaboration and relationship-building
While an IT project manager focuses on executing individual projects, an IT manager is responsible for the big picture strategy and alignment of the IT department within the overall organization.
Key Differences
Here are some of the main differences between IT project managers and IT managers:
IT Project Manager | IT Manager |
---|---|
Manages the execution of individual IT projects | Oversees the entire IT department and function |
Focuses on meeting project requirements | Sets IT policies, standards and procedures |
Assembles temporary project teams | Leads and manages permanent IT staff |
Delivers projects on time and budget | Creates long-term IT strategy and roadmaps |
Reports to a project executive or manager | Typically reports to the CIO or CTO |
Tactical focus on project execution | Strategic focus on IT alignment and governance |
While both roles center around IT, the IT manager has a broader scope and sphere of influence. They take a big picture view to manage the department, while the project manager drills down into the details of specific projects.
Overlap Between the Roles
In some organizations, there is overlap between IT project managers and IT managers. Some key areas where their duties intersect include:
- Resource management – They both oversee the allocation of IT resources like staff, equipment and budgets. The project manager does this for individual projects, while the IT manager does it department-wide.
- Vendor management – They may jointly manage relationships with IT vendors, consultants and service providers.
- Team leadership – The IT manager leads the permanent IT staff, while the project manager assembles and leads temporary project teams.
- Financial management – The project manager handles budgets for specific projects. The IT manager creates and oversees the overall IT budget.
- Technology roadmaps – Both roles may provide input into the strategic vision for the organization’s technology investments and infrastructure.
There can be some grey area between where the project manager’s role ends and the IT manager’s begins. That’s why it’s crucial that organizations define each role’s responsibilities and authority early on to prevent overlap or confusion.
Can a Project Manager Become an IT Manager?
In some organizations, an IT project manager may progress into an IT manager role as they advance their career. This allows them to leverage their experience managing individual projects and apply it to a department-wide scope. However, it’s not an automatic transition. Moving from project manager to IT manager requires developing some new competencies, including:
- Technical knowledge across multiple IT domains
- In-depth understanding of business processes and objectives
- Staff recruitment, development and performance management
- Budget creation and long-term financial planning
- Strategic planning and thinking
- Higher level partnership with executives and stakeholders
An IT project manager may need to pursue additional education in business or technology management to help fill in any skill gaps. Getting an advanced degree like an MBA can also help demonstrate their ability to take on the increased responsibility of an IT management role. With the right experience and education, transitioning from project manager to IT manager is certainly achievable for many professionals as they advance their careers.
Conclusion
In summary, IT project managers and IT managers are distinct but complementary roles. Project managers oversee the successful execution of individual projects while IT managers are responsible for the overall IT department strategy and operations. Both are critical to the effective delivery of technology solutions in an organization.
While there is some overlap, IT project managers focus on the tactical details of project execution. IT managers have a more strategic role in aligning IT with broader business goals. With additional leadership training and education, however, talented IT project managers can often move into IT management positions later in their careers.