If you are in charge of a development organization.You have added a
new group that does Java development for handheld devices, and need a
project manager for this group.What are the requirements you would
took for in a person to fill this position and why ?

Hello there

The answer given by denco-ga in the comments below is fine as far as
it goes, but it looks to me more like the requirements spec for a
senior developer rather than a manager. As an IT manager and Project
Manager myself, I can verify that there’s more to it, especially when,
as stated in your question, the required person will be in control of
a group of people.

Here is my take on a spec for the job. It is based on a job spec I
have used when employing Project Managers, and I have modified it to
take into account the JAVA and hand-held requirements of the post.

An applicant for the role of Project Manager (PM) in the Java
development for handheld devices group should have the following
attributes:

Technical
________


- The PM should have JAVA and J2ME development skills and experience
developing (either programming or designing) high-end, real time
applications for handheld devices or at minimum a detailed knowledge
of one of these areas.
 Necessary so that the PM can understand, review and manage the 
technical environment aspects of the work his team is performing

- The PM should have C development skills and experience ,either in
program design or programming.
 Necessary so that the manager can understand, review and manage the
design and programming of the C development areas of projects
performed by his group

- The PM must display knowledge, experience and understanding of the
Software Development Life Cycle.
     Necessary so that the PM has an overall view of where the
projects are going, and understands and can manage the flow of a
project from initial requirements through design, build and testing,
to the final delivery to clients.


Supplementary note

If the PM is expected to "get his hands dirty" and also do some
programming, this would be written in his job spec

· The PM may be expected to contribute to the programming and design
effort on projects as determined by the needs of the project.
     


Organisational
--------------

· The PM should have experience in managing a team of development
staff in a similar environment.
      Necessary so that the PM has skills in leading a team on the
kinds of work that will be expected of his group.

· The PM should be skilled in a project planning tool such as
MS-Project.
      Necessary so that the PM can produce project plans and work
schedules for himself and his team.

· The PM should be skilled in the use of a project management
methodology (e.g. PRINCE )
      Necessary so that the PM can show a systematic approach to
managing projects in complex environments and can show the ability to
manage issues and change requests that might arise during the lifetime
of a project.

· The PM must be able to write clear and concise technical and
non-technical documentation.
      Necessary for the clear communication of project deliverables
such as project plans, minutes, design documents, strategy documents
etc

Supplementary notes

Other skills may be on the job spec depending on the level of
competence required and what other roles exist in the group. Eg the PM
may be expected to do some design work

· The PM should be skilled in  system analysis and  design on a
similar environment to the above .
      May be necessary so that the PM can design systems as required
by the needs of the group

Or he may be expected to manage the client.

· The PM should be skilled in customer contact management and
financial planning
      Necessary so that the PM can hold technical and budgetary
meetings with end-user clients of the group and control the project
budget


Personal
_______

· The PM must show ability as a communicator, to all levels of staff
that might be encountered during the work of his group.
      Necessary because the PM will have to communicate with a lot of
different levels of people, possibly from Board level  through to
operational end-users, third party contractors, designers, developers,
mechanics.....The list is potentially a very large one, and the PM
must be able to clearly communicate the goals and requirements of his
group to them all.

· The PM must be skilled in man management
      Necessary because the PM will be managing a team. So, the PM
will be a team player, but he will be a leader, and must be able to
show leadership skills.
 
Supplementary Notes

Several, "softer" skills are often asked for, such as

· The PM must be flexible
      Necessary because the PM will be managing a department with ever
changing technology, rapidly changing client expectations and possibly
a high staff turnover.
 
Sometimes qualifications are required eg

· The PM must be qualified to Advanced Project Manager level in
ANOtherPMqualification
      Necessary because the PM will be following a strict methodology
as laid down by the company and defined in exams and courses the PM
will have to have taken.
 

In summary then, the PM for the post would have technical skills in
the JAVA and hand-held arenas (note that these are only a small part
of the total job), organisational skills in the systematic management
of IT projects, and people skills in team management and customer
management.

There’s a lot more to project management than this of course, and this
is just a quick overview.

You’ll find more info at the links below.

Hope that helps

Willie-ga

Google has a whole directory on Software Project Management
directory.google.com/Top/Computers/ Software/Project_Management/ 

Wideman Comparative Glossary of Project Management Terms v2.1
www.pmforum.org/library/glossary/ 

The Project Management Institute 
http://www.pmi.org/info/default.asp

Google search terms used
"project management" introduction

Adapted from a job listing found at:

http://www.activesky.com/company/au_jobs/job-SWD7.html

Requirements are pretty self explanatory; they need to
have JAVA and project management, etc. education/skills.

Experience & Skills:

- Experience programming high-end, real time applications
for handheld devices;
- Strong JAVA and J2ME development skills and experience;
- Strong C development skills and experience;
- Strong handheld devices knowledge and understanding;
- Knowledge and understanding of the Software Development
Life Cycle;
- MUST BE ABLE TO WORK INDEPENDANTLY; and
- Must be able to work in a team and be willing to adapt
to new and/or unfamiliar programming methodologies.

Desirables:

- Experience with wireless mobile communication devices;
- Experience in low level system and communication protocol
programming through to user interface development; and
- Strong desire to work in a dynamic, high-tech organisation.

Competencies:

Communication:
The ability to discuss and describe a technical direction or
solution to all levels of staff in the company in a clear and
concise manner.

The ability to be open to alternative approaches, listen and
accept other contributions.

The ability to write clear and concise technical documentation.

Diligence:
Presenting well documented and complete work.

Seek clarification on specifications presented by the company.

Team Work:
Works with the team by demonstrating commitment to team goals
above personal needs and objectives.

Promotes and supports an open environment where the sharing
of ideas and support for people's development is enhanced.

Creativity / Initiative:
The ability to "think outside of the box" and offer ideas.

The ability to follow-up on the ideas.

Problem Solving:
The ability to identify and anticipate potential problems
and investigate and offer solutions.

Seek help/advice from others to resolve problems.

Planning & Organising work:
Identifies and evaluates possible hurdles that will restrict
the task from being completed.

Quality:
Follows standard company Quality procedures.

Offers alternative methods which will contribute to enhancing
the company's competitive advantage.


Search stratagy: Java development handheld devices "project manager"