IT Project Management V.S. Technical Roles

[steppinthrax]

So I'm kind of at a crossroads in my career. I'm more than 6 years deep now doing .NET, Database and system engineering. I'm in the 6-figure range. I'm a technical lead for 2 projects. I"m kind of at the point where I have the ability or the permission to distribute work, GANNT charts, report on project status (upper management) etc...

I believe if I keep myself as a technical person (developer, programmer, sys arch, soft eng) my pay will eventually bottom out. I'm thinking if I get into IT project managment (PMP), the pay should be higher. The respect seems to be much better, since you learn how to communicate better with "human beings" and play a bigger role in the project. However, is the salary of a PMP > "techie". I guess I"m asking does a PMP cert project manager make more then most technical persons.

 

[SandEagle]

yes

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I read recently (well, it was from 2008) that the PMP certification has, on average, the highest average salary and passed the CCIE for highest average salary among certs. I've read the PMBOK and taken some PM courses in preparation for sitting for the exam, but I'm still torn on whether or not I REALLY want to do it. I could probably make more as a technical consultant but I'm not sure I want those hours or stress.

At any rate, for the PMP, you have to have 4500 hours of documented project experience (and I believe they want it in a leadership capacity now), at least 35 hours of approved coursework (IIRC), and some other qualifications as well. I probably would've finished my PMP last summer if it were not for getting bombarded with projects, but now I'm contemplating knocking out Sharepoint certs first.

My advice is to not chase something just for what you perceive as having a higher pay ceiling. Pursue it because you're generally interested in it.

 

[steppinthrax]

I read recently (well, it was from 2008) that the PMP certification has, on average, the highest average salary and passed the CCIE for highest average salary among certs. I've read the PMBOK and taken some PM courses in preparation for sitting for the exam, but I'm still torn on whether or not I REALLY want to do it. I could probably make more as a technical consultant but I'm not sure I want those hours or stress.

At any rate, for the PMP, you have to have 4500 hours of documented project experience (and I believe they want it in a leadership capacity now), at least 35 hours of approved coursework (IIRC), and some other qualifications as well. I probably would've finished my PMP last summer if it were not for getting bombarded with projects, but now I'm contemplating knocking out Sharepoint certs first.

My advice is to not chase something just for what you perceive as having a higher pay ceiling. Pursue it because you're generally interested in it.

I see senior .NET positions right now for about 120+. I"m not seeing higher. I also don't see PMs as making too much over that as well. I'm not sure if it's worth it. I guess the benefit is your removed from the workload and just delagate work!!!

 

[Kadarin]

It's very easy to be a bad project manager, and not so easy to be a really good one. It's mostly a nontechnical role, but to do the role well you need to have the respect of those you work with.

 

[BurnItDwn]

I think where I'm at the PM's top payband is the same as the top payband for lead techies which is the same payband as managers.

 

[spidey07]

Folks that can really make money are highly tech skilled people that are good PMs. There aren't many of them as the career forces you to chose one or the other.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

I see senior .NET positions right now for about 120+. I"m not seeing higher. I also don't see PMs as making too much over that as well. I'm not sure if it's worth it. I guess the benefit is your removed from the workload and just delagate work!!!

It really depends on what you want to do. As I said, never chase the dollars. Chase what you really, really enjoy and make a living doing that.

With that being said, I am the first to admit (and will get flamed, I'm sure) that a PM job boils down to a glorified secretary most of the time, with the bad part being that you often are accountable for projects but don't have any actual authority. You end up begging and pleading with the real managers to get people to work on your stuff. I can see how that's frustrating and that's probably why they're paid so much relatively speaking because truth be told, the actual job isn't technically challenging or demanding.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

It's very easy to be a bad project manager, and not so easy to be a really good one. It's mostly a nontechnical role, but to do the role well you need to have the respect of those you work with.

This, and if you're an IT project manager, it helps to have an actual IT background as well.

 

[kranky]

If you can be a great PM, the sky is the limit. In my experience the best PMs are not too technical - when they are, they start interfering with the people doing the work.

PMs can get bonuses for meeting targets and those bonuses are going to be larger than what might get spread out across the project team. You also have much greater flexibility in moving to other industries if you have a track record as a successful PM, since as long as you are a quick learner, you don't have to have industry background. You can also do contract work as a PM, and if you are doing it on your own you could pull down $150/hour or more.

In my area, there is a very active chaper of the PMI. We can handle a max of about 120 people for the monthly meeting and usually end up cutting off registrations. Crazy good networking opportunities. The chapter also does a lot of volunteer work in the community which is another way to make contacts.

You probably meet the hours requirement for PM experience from your team lead role. Sign up for a PMP exam prep class since most of them just happen to be 35 hours (meeting the 35 hours of education requirement). Work hard and pass the test to get your PMP.

I don't think you can make a blanket statement that PMs make more than technical people. Great PMs would make more than the typical technical people. Great technical people would make more than the typical PM.

You recognize a key point about being a PM - it's about communication, probably 80% of a PM's time is spent communicating in one form or another. You need to be a coach, a shoulder to cry on, a wheedler, a consensus builder, a tough guy, a cheerleader and a negotiator. Know which role to adopt at different times and you'll be very successful.

I cannot emphasize enough the need to take a exam prep class. The test is not about real-world situations. It's about what the PMI feels is the way it should be done. If you go in without that knowledge, you cannot pass.

 

[Ns1]

do you enjoy dealing with political bullshit? Cuz my PM deals with that shit all day long. That and meetings.

You recognize a key point about being a PM - it's about communication, probably 80% of a PM's time is spent communicating in one form or another. You need to be a coach, a shoulder to cry on, a wheedler, a consensus builder, a tough guy, a cheerleader and a negotiator. Know which role to adopt at different times and you'll be very successful.

this 100%

 

[Capt Caveman]

As a PM, don't be a PM. It sucks. Looking to get out.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

As a PM, don't be a PM. It sucks. Looking to get out.

I've only considered PM because I do have experience managing projects and I think it might be one of the few ways I can get out of IT without having to take a salary cut.

 

[Capt Caveman]

I've only considered PM because I do have experience managing projects and I think it might be one of the few ways I can get out of IT without having to take a salary cut.

Yeah, things can get old and it will be a change while still utilizing your current knowledge. But it's like herding cats, lots of frustration and stress.

 

[kranky]

I think the "PM experience" is heavily influenced by the type of company. In some places the PM is a figurehead role with next to no influence, routinely ignored by functional managers. In that world, being a PM is a bad situation. But not all companies are that way.

 

[Blieb]

"Project Managers" can expendable - depends on what kranky said.

I know people who backed into PM roles that fear for their jobs constantly because they don't have hands-on-technical skills anymore. They know what happens if the fat gets trimmed.

I obtained the PMP certification about 3 years ago (just renewed!). It is a requirement for some projects. It has value and earns some level of respect - but not as much as kicking ass and taking names. I am still hands-on-technical.

I don't regret getting the PMP. Right now Agile is all the rage. I did not get a huge salary increase and unlimited H&B after obtaining the cert.

 

[TecHNooB]

inb4

 

[purbeast0]

after my experience as a senior software developer here, i would NEVER EVER EVER want to be a PM. all they do is sit in meetings the entire day (I hate meetings) and they work like 50-60 hours a week and always look burnt out. oh, and you have to deal with the stupid customers too.

i'll stick to doing development work, or possibly a manager that can also do dev work.

 

[ConwayJim]

PM work can be very frustrating, because you are essentially the glue/ go-to guy; with that being said I find it very rewarding and a great way to network with other people.

 

[OutHouse]

how many companies have permanent PM's on staff?

 

[Ns1]

how many companies have permanent PM's on staff?

My F50 company does - they're all VP level.

 

[TecHNooB]

My F50 company does - they're all VP level.

f50?

 

[Ns1]

f50?

sorry, add a zero onto that.

 

[kranky]

how many companies have permanent PM's on staff?

Companies which do projects (construction, for example). Projects can be external (your company is hired to put up a building) or internal (your company is developing a new product).

 

[Elbryn]

I read recently (well, it was from 2008) that the PMP certification has, on average, the highest average salary and passed the CCIE for highest average salary among certs. I've read the PMBOK and taken some PM courses in preparation for sitting for the exam, but I'm still torn on whether or not I REALLY want to do it. I could probably make more as a technical consultant but I'm not sure I want those hours or stress.

At any rate, for the PMP, you have to have 4500 hours of documented project experience (and I believe they want it in a leadership capacity now), at least 35 hours of approved coursework (IIRC), and some other qualifications as well. I probably would've finished my PMP last summer if it were not for getting bombarded with projects, but now I'm contemplating knocking out Sharepoint certs first.

My advice is to not chase something just for what you perceive as having a higher pay ceiling. Pursue it because you're generally interested in it.

i'd say just go take the test. it's not that difficult and i think you'd really not rather read the pmbok again my question is now that i got out of the pmo and into storage, whether i should bother taking some classes to fill out enough pdu's to renew in a few years or to let it lapse.