Breaking into IT project management

The IT industry has come a long way from the days of merely supplying new employees with a computer, internet access, and being seen as the guardians of the corporate network. In a digital age, IT service management or project manager (PM) plays a crucial role in helping organisations become more innovative and deliver critical projects from concept to completion. 

Technology has transformed our lives and businesses alike and failing to evolve with the digital landscape can be detrimental to any brand.  As a result, business competitors in every industry are consistently trying to meet the rapid expectations of their customers and the insatiable desire for near-instant gratification. 

The never-ending list of new tech products and services used across every department of a business is a timely reminder that digital transformation efforts are a continuous journey, rather than a destination. The unprecedented growth for new projects has created a massive demand for IT project managers who possess technical expertise, people management skills, and business awareness. 

If you are looking to break into project management, find out exactly what an IT project manager role involves.  

What does an IT project manager do?

The key responsibility of an IT project manager is to lead web, app, and mobile projects by creating actionable plans and ensuring they run smoothly, all while eliminating risk. Most importantly, an IT project manager is tasked with ensuring the project meets the requirements, has correctly allocated resources, generates business value, and is able to deliver the project on time. 

If you are looking to break into project management in IT, it is important that communication skills are strong as an IT project manager will need to communicate to both non-technical stakeholders and  knowledgeable IT teams. Project managers will also be very comfortable delegating and becoming the go-to person for almost any problem that arises during the lifecycle of the project. 

If you consider yourself a goal-oriented problem solver and are looking for a role where no two days are the same, you will thrive in IT project management and can earn a lucrative salary.  

 

How much does an IT project manager earn?

One of the most attractive features for candidates is the above-average salaries and career progression opportunities. Entry roles in IT project management typically begin at £30,000 and can progress to more than £100,000 as a Digital Project manager! As IT Project management is a fundamental part of every business across industries worldwide, once you break into the project management world, you can seamlessly switch industries, and even countries, throughout your career. 

Finding people who possess the ability to tailor their communication style to multiple audiences can be notoriously tricky for recruiters. But understanding this unique requirement is creating a wealth of opportunities and high-paid salaries for anyone wanting to enter a career as an IT project manager. 

However, it’s not all about the excellent salary. You will be interacting with people from diverse backgrounds every day, and there is usually the flexibility to work from home when you need a little extra focus. In addition, seeing a project executed from the beginning planning stage, and working together with colleagues to deliver the project provides great job satisfaction.  

How to break into IT project management

According to predictions from the PMI, we will see a global demand for over 15 million IT project managers in the next few years. So, whether you are looking at breaking into IT project management or progressing in your current role, there are many certifications that can help you land your dream project management role. 

Choosing the best IT project management certification will depend entirely on where you are in your career. However, obtaining ITIL® Foundation and PRINCE2® Foundation is a great starting point to empower anyone to secure an entry-level project management role without any prerequisites. 

 

The best IT project management certifications for beginners

Our IT project management courses are perfect for beginners as many of these courses do not require any prerequisites. A good starting point is the ITIL® Foundation certification which will introduce you to the concepts and terminology used in the ITIL® service lifecycle, focusing on the critical alignment of IT and business strategies. It also enables you to learn the impact of technology on a business. 

Once you are familiar with the universal language used by IT teams worldwide, the PRINCE2® Foundation will provide you with introductory knowledge of the PRINCE2® methodologies and teach you how to improve a project. With a PRINCE2® qualification, you can prepare to break into IT project management and earn an average salary of £37,950 a year. But this is only the beginning of starting a career in IT. 

 

Getting started with agile project management

Agile project management methods focus on continuous releases and incorporating customer feedback with every iteration which can help improve the project as a whole. 

The combination of agile training, experience working on agile projects, and examination of agile principles, practises, tools, and techniques really makes this specific IT Project Management Certification a must-have. It’s also essential for anyone working in an organisation that has adopted the agile methodology in their projects. 

 

Certifications for those enhancing their skills

Whether you’re looking to make a career change to  project management or are experienced in this field already but want to enhance your skill set, the Certified Associate Project Management (CAPM) certification can help you improve your current career aspirations. It also allows our students to apply their skills to practical on-the-job experiences, making it a great way to demonstrate development and growth in your understanding of project management. 

As you advance in your career and begin exploring how to develop your project management skills or learn more about the project lifecycle, you can progress onto the CompTIA Project+ certification. The course will help you enhance your skills across every stage of the project from project selection and initiation to scope, scheduling, and budgeting. This course will also help you improve risk planning, communication, and documentation. 

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognised IT project management certification that empowers experienced project managers to enhance their skills even further. It also demonstrates that you possess the expert knowledge, experience, and skills to take projects from inception to fruition. 

A PMP certification from Learning People will keep you on the path of continual learning to unlock new opportunities. As a certified PMP, you will be recognised as a speaker of the global language of project management. You will have the ability to confidently work in any industry, in any location and apply any methodology as you work towards the dream goal of achieving a six-figure salary in IT. 

Out in the field, you will quickly earn your stripes and hone your skills as you manage resources, communication, negotiations, and risk can only be learned through experience. This is where you build upon your project management knowledge and skills. But as you grow in confidence and work with our Career Services team, the path ahead will become much clearer and you can look to unlock roles such as senior project manager and director roles on your IT project manager career path. 

 

How technology has changed the role of project manager

Due to the constant development of technology, combined with automation and data-driven decision-making, means that every team leader and employee needs to think about how they can adapt to these changes. While upskilling is crucial for entry-level project managers who are serious about climbing the promotional ladder, it is also essential for project managers to keep up with the latest digital innovations. 
 
With more and more businesses worldwide turning to ITIL and cloud computing , every IT professional should be increasing their knowledge around enterprise IT management’s standard principles. In addition, ITIL-trained project managers can help boost efficiency in executing their tech projects and deliver enhanced IT-related services to their clients. 

In the same way that ITIL provides a globally accepted IT management standard, PMBOK is the accredited guide for Project Management. These detailed frameworks help project managers focus on the best tools, processes, and methodologies to deliver projects successfully and efficiently. For these reasons alone, the globally recognised ITIL, PMP, and PRINCE2® certifications are an ideal starting point for project managers. 

 

Breaking into IT Project Management with Learning People

A good IT project manager will require both an understanding of technology and IT processes and they will also bring business awareness to the table. Our IT project management certifications not only help you obtain new skills and industry knowledge, but they also look great on your CV for future career aspirations  

 

So, if you are looking to break into project management or take your career to the next level, contact our team. Our professional career advisors will be happy to advise you on the best course for you and get you started on your career in project management.