Technical Skills and the Project Manager

At ProjExc we often help our clients to source project managers. One of the key obstacles to be overcome in the early stages of ideal candidate profiling is discussing the need for “technical” knowledge. This can be technical knowledge of the product or experiential knowledge of the market place. We haven’t yet found a definitive answer, so do contact us if you know of one!

One camp believes that unless you have a thorough understanding of the product/market there is no way that you can successfully manage a project in that space.

The other camp says all that is needed to successfully manage a project is solid project management skills, tools and processes, and that technical knowledge will create a natural draw to work in the project rather than on ensuring the delivery.

As with most things in life, ProjExc are proponents of balance. Generally, in our experience, solid project management competence is the key. Planning and issue resolution can be helped by a little “technical” knowledge. In this context we see a “little” as being sufficient to know when one is having the wool pulled over ones eyes.

Do share with us your views on what can be quite an emotive topic.