¶ … Managing Project Teams
Effectively managing a complex information technology project requires a sharp mind adept at prudent planning, a thorough comprehension of the tools and tech needed to succeed, and the ability to adapt seamlessly in the face of adversity. While working in the field of IT project management may initially appear to be a solitary task conducted in a clinical environment, the reality is that the vast majority of IT projects are collaborative efforts involving the combined efforts of several individuals. Learning how to balance competing personalities, resolving interpersonal conflicts, pairing team members according to their competency level, and inspiring a genuine sense of motivation are all integral aspects to managing a project team. Mastering the intricacies of access control, scope verification, and the other intricacies of IT project management represents only half of the proverbial battle, and in order...
In all actuality, this dimension of IT project management can be most likened to coaching an athletic team, because while the objectives and strategies may be different, the interpersonal skills used to create a cohesive team are widely similar across the spectrum of human activity.
In my personal experience, the two most significant tools and techniques used in managing a project team are Observation and Conversation, and Conflict Management (Schwalbe, 2011), because these skills allow a project manager to maintain an active presence in all aspects of the project. One of the central lessons imparted throughout this course has been the importance of developing clear and concise project priorities to be pursued, and as a project manager the best…
