3 Myths about Software Project Managers

No matter the scale of a project, it's never an easy task to see the whole process through from start to finish. Still, people often have the wrong impression regarding the activities and responsibilities of project managers. You'll hear them say that managing a software project is all about delegating work and keeping the crew in line.

There are a lot of misconceptions around what project managers do and how they keep the process going. Here are three common, pervasive myths about project managers.

1. Project managers only delegate work

First of all, delegating work is not an easy task. You have to know how to put the team together in order to create an effective and productive crew. Dividing a project takes a lot of planning because larger crews are more difficult to navigate, but if the team is too small, you'll bury people with work.

Experienced project managers jump in when a certain aspect of the project is not going well. They spend a lot of time working with team leaders in order to move the process forward, and when the budget runs dry, it's up to project manager to come up with an optimal solution, be it finding additional funds or a way to work around the issue. Project managers also serve as a lightning rod that protects the team when someone needs to take the blame for delays.

2. Project managers are needed only for large projects

This misconception is actually a reason behind a large number of project failures. The truth is even the smallest of projects need a capable and competent leader who will handle every aspect.

When your organization is working on several projects at the same time, it's difficult to handle each project with the same amount of care. Even if these projects are small and possible to resolve in a short time frame, project managers can make the project less complex and time-consuming.

3. Good project managers never abandon a project

The success of any project is, on a large scale, the responsibility of the project manager. However, even the most competent and experienced project managers can't guarantee a success, no matter how the risk assessment goes. Sometimes the project is more costly than was planned for or than the organization is willing to fund. There are also unpredictable market situations that can have a negative effect on the validity of a project.

It's up to the project manager to determine when the project is no longer needed or financially reasonable. Bluntly put, sometimes it takes a good project manager to know when a project doesn’t make sense.

Knowledge is the only way to dismiss our stereotypes and create an informed opinion. Before we make a judgment about a certain job, we have to ask ourselves how well are we informed about what it takes to fill that position. Perhaps debunking these three myths gave you more insight into project management and the obligations that come with it.

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