Software Project Manager

A software project manager’s responsibilities will depend on the needs of clients and the desired outcome. However, based on listings we analyzed, some common duties typically expected of software project managers include the following:

Understand Needs

• Before a software project manager can guide a team, they must fully comprehend the project’s objectives.
• Doing so involves talking with the client to grasp what the final product should look like, what time frame is satisfactory, and how much money is budgeted. Software project managers also talk with executives and software developers to get their input.

Create a Plan

• Software project managers turn the desires of the client into technical requirements that software developers understand.
• They break down the various elements involved in getting the work done, such as producing a timetable, assigning tasks to team members, and developing checkpoints for progress.

Serve as a Liaison

• As a source of consistency throughout a project, software project managers field questions and provide information for everyone involved.
• They may serve as a go-between when a client has a new demand or the tech department wants to make a change.
• Providing status reports to all interested parties is another important responsibility.
• Sometimes software project managers set up collaborative sites such as SharePoint (with varying degrees of permissions).

Ensure Results

• As part of the creation process, tests must be performed on software to see how it measures up to expectations.
• Software project managers help determine what tests should be run and inspect the results for quality.
• They present a beta version to the client and select others for feedback.

Resource Allocation

• Software project managers look for ways to improve operations.
• They aim to do things better, faster, and cheaper whenever possible but without sacrificing quality.

Follow Up

• When the software is fully developed, software project managers deliver it to the client.
• They may assist in training users or writing instruction manuals.
• Periodically, software project managers check in to see how the software is performing and answer any questions.