PhD or PMP? Why technical project managers are best

TL;DR

Technical project managers, trained as scientists or engineers, excel in understanding outcomes, adaptability to changes, and gaining respect from engineering teams.

Transcript

After more than 20 years in the tech industry, I've worked with project managers... who were dedicated project managers trained only as project managers, and I've worked with project managers who were trained as scientists and engineers. I always, always, always have preferred the technical project managers. That is those that were trained as sci... Read More

Key Insights

• 📽️ Technical project managers, trained as scientists or engineers, understand desired outcomes better and avoid being overwhelmed by project management details.
• 😤 A broader perspective helps technical project managers prevent minor changes from turning into unnecessary fire drills that drain team energy.
• 📽️ Adaptability to changes is a key strength of technical project managers, who excel in navigating unforeseen challenges by bending rules and still achieving the desired project outcomes.
• 📽️ Gaining respect from engineering teams is crucial for project managers, which technical project managers achieve by focusing on important tasks and understanding technical details.
• 📽️ Empowering technical leads with project management responsibilities can enhance project productivity and efficiency.
• 📽️ Technical project management may not be suitable for very large projects that require dedicated project managers, especially in industries like aerospace.
• 🧑‍🔬 Scientists and engineers considering project management roles should leverage their technical backgrounds for a competitive advantage.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why are technical project managers trained as scientists or engineers preferred over project managers with a pure project management background?

Technical project managers excel in understanding the desired project outcomes better due to their technical training, which helps them avoid getting too caught up in minor project management details, leading to better project efficiency and outcomes.

Q: In what ways do non-technical project managers focus on minor changes, which may prove inefficient for the project team?

Non-technical project managers tend to focus on every little change, turning them into fire drills for the team, wasting energy and causing inefficiencies. This approach may lead to excessive responses to schedule changes that could resolve themselves naturally.

Q: How do technical project managers handle changes when things go sideways differently from non-technical project managers?

Technical project managers are better at bending the rules and dealing with unforeseen challenges efficiently, as they understand the technical details of the project. This adaptability sets them apart in navigating unexpected hurdles and leading the team to desired project outcomes.

Q: How can technical project managers gain more respect from engineering teams and enhance project productivity?

By focusing on important tasks, understanding technical details, and handling changes effectively, technical project managers earn respect from engineering teams. Empowering technical leads with project management responsibilities can also boost productivity and streamline project execution.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Technical project managers trained as scientists or engineers are preferred for their deep understanding of desired project outcomes and ability to avoid being overly bogged down in project management details.

• Their broader perspective helps prevent getting caught up in minor changes that may lead to inefficiencies and unnecessary fire drills for the team.

• Technical project managers also excel in handling unforeseen challenges by bending rules, gaining respect from engineering teams, and ultimately achieving the desired project outcomes effectively.