Job Responsibilities
Write business requirements for desktop software application.
Work with users in the field to determine requirements and drive
priorities. Lead and facilitate meetings of various stakeholders
(marketing, legal, compliance, technology and process groups) to
drive closure around these requirements. Ensure requirements are
documented adn integrate with other platform requirements. Create
communications and training materials for users for launch and
ongoing support of application. Also work with database
administrators to implement data schemas to track and measure
usage and performance of the application.
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Job Requirements
This type of role does not require any specialized degree or
training, although there are many courses and certifications for
project management (e.g. the Project Management Institute). The
best way to develop skills in project management is to hone yoru
organizational, time management, communications and critical
thinking skills and to be a quick learner that can handle complex
and changing systems and organizations.
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Uppers
The best parts of project management are successfully deploying a very tangible
product with clear benefits to enhance a user group's experience and make them
more effective in their jobs. That feeling of concrete accomplishment and closure
is very rewarding.
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Downers
The downer is often being in the position of needing to influence
various stakeholders and guide them in a given direction without
having ultimate authority - being a facilitator and a stakeholder
at the same time. Also, because you are facilitating a variety of
different types of projects means you can often feel like too
much of a generalist and not be very "niched".
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Lifestyle
Work hours are extremely reasonable at my firm: 9am - 5pm is typical, and
coworkers all seem to stress a strong work-life balance. Dress code in our area
of the company is also very casual (jeans or casual slacks are typical attire).
The workforce is quite diverse with respect to ethnic and gender. The key traits
to being hired tend to be previous project management experience and the ability
to learn new areas of expertise and adapt quickly to change, and mastering the
"soft skills" of dealing with difficult personalities or ambiguous situations.
Increasingly, the firm is hiring contractors to do this type of work to avoid the
expenses of health care and other benefits required for Full Time Employees
(FTEs).
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Compensation
Base salary for project managers can range from $75K - $100K
depending on level of experience and specific area of the firm.
Bonuses have fluctuated in the past few years from $10K per year
to zero. Stock options have been worthless for the past 4 years
(steady declnie). Benefits are typical menu-style options for
health care - a big perk is a sabbatical after 5 years at the
company.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Develop your people skills and be patient with ambiguity and
change. Take time to learn the organizational dynamics and
governance of the groups you work with while at the same time do
not allow official individual or organizational titles dissuade
you from driving things to closure (diplomatically).
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