There is great demand for technical management consultants with a wide range of computing and business expertise. They are expected to help in problem solving and lead teams toward achieve operational goals.
This field requires a combination of computer skills and business knowledge. The majority of companies have a common operational model that links manufacturing, finance, information technology, and sales. The role of technical managers is to help companies keep inter-departmental projects running smoothly on-time and on-budget.
Tech managers need to posses expertise in IT, operational, and financial systems. They are usually consultants in manufacturing firms. Management analysts have the skills to evaluate the structure of a company, its technology, profits, operations, and future competitive potential. They then recommend appropriate changes.
To pursue a career in technical management, one needs a bachelor's degree or a master’s in business administration with emphasis on technology management. Data with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that there will be significant competition for positions in this field. Only those with good education and experience will be able to obtain good employment. Apart from this degree, you also need technical know-how and managerial skills to find good work.
A course in tech project management will train you to manage services and products in technical industries. You will be able to take be responsible for new product line recommendations and the tracking of their relative profitability. Other responsibilities could include sourcing raw material as well as controlling costs of production. With this degree you could qualify for general management positions in areas such as marketing, sales, and finance.
The tech project management course includes papers in statistics, mathematics, and economics. This is apart from the engineering and general management papers such as marketing, accounting, and organizational behavior.
The discipline of tech project management is both complex and rigorous. It needs a background in pure sciences and technology apart from soft business skills learned through experience. By deciding to pursue tech project management you will be committing to lifelong learning to stay abreast of business, technology, and policy issues that could impact your sector.
A few institutions offer degrees in Tech Project Management. These courses are often developed after consulting local employers and aim to provide business and engineering skills to graduates.
However, one can become a tech project manager even if one has an undergraduate degree in science and engineering. One can opt for a second graduate degree in business administration or project management to qualify.
Those with sufficient industry experience can move in to Tech Project Management positions after obtaining relevant certificates or attending training programs for executives.
Tech Project Management also offers a chance to specialize based on your technical field of interest. One can opt for a basic degree in a variety of engineering and technology streams. Many students opt for information technology, communications, web technology, biotechnology, software, or pharmaceuticals. To enter this field one should ideally have a master’s degree to prove a deeper understanding of the technology.
Not many specialize in a core business area when studying for a degree in Tech Project Management. However, some people specialize in logistics management, operations management, entrepreneurship, and design.
Those who have completed a course in Tech Project Management understand technology and possess management skills. Therefore, there is a high demand for them in all industrial sectors especially those that produce technical products such as pharmaceuticals or software. Some Tech Project Management graduates are employed by hedge funds and investment banks as sector specialists. Their expertise guides investment decisions. Other employment avenues include positions as planners of complex management and engineering projects.