In a recent post, Computer Economics has found that the slowdown in capital spending has been good for project managers. With fewer projects and thus fewer project managers, Project managers are growing in importance. Project managers with sound project management become even more important when projects are downsized, delayed, or outsourced.
Their study, Project Manager Staffing Ratios, finds that over a five-year period project managers have risen as a percentage of the IT staff. In 2011, project managers made up an average of 4.5% of the IT staff, up from 3.4% in 2008.
The ratio rose sharply in 2009 to 4.3%, indicating the recession played a role. While IT organizations were reducing headcount, project managers fared better than most other IT job functions according to Computer Economics. The ratio has remained relatively steady over the past three years, peaking at 4.7% in 2010.
The author summarizes that IT organizations are relying more and more on professional project managers. The reasons for this growth are varied. They include new technology adoption, regulatory compliance issues, and outsourcing. There is also the ever-present mandate to do more with less. All of which contribute to the need for project management.
Perhaps the most pressing reason for the growth in project management staff is that many organizations have a poor record of bringing IT projects in on time and within budget according to the article. Much of the work in IT organizations today is project-based. IT managers are beginning to realize that project management is a critical element in delivering successful projects. And value—to the business.
Related articles
- Five Tips to be an Effective Project Manager (jasmineengineering.wordpress.com)
Ralph Bach has been in IT long enough to know better and has blogged from his Bach Seat about IT, careers, and anything else that catches his attention since 2005. You can follow him on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Email the Bach Seat here.
