What type of Project Managers do we want?

Not all good programmers or good analysts become good Project Managers. It is in fact a very different skill from either of these.

How do we know who will become good Project Managers? One of the crucial skills needed is leadership. Leaders, in real life, tend to evolve rather than being appointed. How often do we see leaders of countries whom their predecessor has appointed, being swept aside after the demise of the ‘great leader’.

Also, there are some people who are used to succeeding in life. Again, there are those who are used to failing. If one tennis player is used to losing to another player, he, when losing again, will take no great steps to reverse this.

When it comes to the time when the one who is used to winning is behind, he or she puts great mental and physical effort into reversing this situation. They just ‘can’t let it happen’. Therefore, it usually doesn’t.

Natural Leaders

Picking natural leaders who don’t let bad things happen, and who can right bad situations when they do happen, is crucial. This type of person usually has a positive attitude. He is keen to insert the kind of processes into the software development life-cycle which will help him succeed.

Also, on a project, when reverses happen, as they invariably will, they have the self-belief to set it right.

Those who are not used to winning, as in life they are used to this situation, will spend their effort not in clearing up the mess but in justifying themselves. They will make sure the blame does not attach itself to them. You need people who will grow in a crisis not shrink.

Picking the right PM is crucial to a project.