IT Project Management

I spent my 30s managing enterprise IT projects. Here’s what I wish I knew at 29. 1/ Getting teams to simply talk is most of the battle. 2/ Getting sign-off (actual sign-off) on scope will save your bacon. 3/ The right time to think about risks is before you notice problems. 4/ No one is thinking about your project as much as you are. (/should be) 5/ When you have to ask ‘whose job is that?’, it’s probably your job. 6/ If someone asks you if you can do something ‘just this once’ it’s probably their job. 7/ If you do something once, it will be expected for every project in perpetuity. 8/ Understanding *why* someone is making an unusual request will give you insights. 9/ Seeing into the future is a superpower developed through experience. 10/ Senior PMs have good stories. Ask them to share. 11/ Every exec has (at least) two tones. The one they use among piers, and the one they’ll use 1:1. Don’t be startled. 12/ The first step in planning should be to define what you’ll do when things don’t go to plan. 13/ Planning is useful only if that plan quickly evolves into actual work. 14/ Repetition in meetings helps define expectations. Expectations help with accountability. Accountability is how you influence without authority. 15/ Holding people accountable—without being a jerk—is how you preserve relationships. 16/ Don’t ask if something is ‘in progress’. Ask ‘how much work is left’. Use percentages. 17/ Budget more time than you need. Then push hard to use less time than budgeted. 18/ Expect things to go sideways so you’re never surprised--and so you're always ready to act. 19/ Don’t burn bridges. Assume you’ll have another project with them. 20/ Trust is the single most valuable currency in project management. What are your lessons learned?  ____ 👋 Follow me Timothy Morgan for more about enterprise project management.

Think you know what it takes to land an IT Project Manager role in 2025? Think again. I analyzed 164 real job postings across the U.S. and Canada. The results paint a clear—and unexpected—picture of what hiring managers actually want in 2025. If you're aiming to land a more strategic or better-paying IT PM role, this might change your approach. Here's what the market is really asking for 👇 ▶️ The Role Looks the Same on Paper, But It's Not IT Project Manager can mean: • Leading cybersecurity transformations • Migrating cloud platforms without breaking production • Managing AI/ML systems nobody understands yet • Running ERP upgrades that touch every department ✔️ If your resume sounds generic, you're invisible. You need to show domain expertise and business impact. ▶️ Where the Real Opportunities Are Forget "tech companies." Everyone's hiring IT PMs now: • Healthcare (digital transformation) • Finance (legacy modernization) • Government (security overhauls) • Consulting (client rescues) ✔️ They don't want template followers. They want PMs who can navigate chaos without a playbook. ▶️ The Remote Dream Is Dying • 53% hybrid • 27% on-site • 20% remote ✔️Translation: If you're banking on remote-only, you're fishing in a shrinking pond. ▶️ Salary Benchmarks (U.S.-Weighted) • Typical range: $106K–$159K • Senior/specialized roles: $160K–$299K • Canadian salaries: Align proportionally with mid-to-senior U.S. roles ▶️ What Skills Are in Demand? ✔️ Hard Skills: • Agile (49%) – table stakes • Cybersecurity (42%) – the new gold • Infrastructure (30%) – servers, networks, IT systems • Cloud: Azure (13%), AWS (9%) – adoption still growing • Tools: Jira, Confluence, DevOps, SDLC, ERP (SAP) • AI/ML projects: 16% – trend to watch • DevOps & CI/CD – often mentioned alongside Agile • ERP expertise – strong in enterprise transformation roles 🧠 Tech literacy is no longer optional—it's a positioning advantage. Knowing how these systems drive value is what separates the top 10%. ✔️ Certifications: • PMP (51%) • Scrum Master (11%) • Others: ITIL, AWS, CISSP—rarely required, but can complement your story ✔️ Soft Skills • Communication (77%) • Leadership (72%) • Stakeholder management (33%) • Collaboration, adaptability, strategic thinking ▶️ Strategic Takeaways 1- Generic PMs are getting filtered out. If your resume reads like a task list, you're losing interviews to PMs who speak in outcomes and impact. 2- Certifications alone don't differentiate you. The PMP signals credibility. But what closes offers is context, how you applied what you know to drive real change. 3- IT PMs must specialize. Same title, wildly different expectations. You must position yourself by domain—cloud, infra, cybersecurity, SaaS, ERP—not just by title. 📌 Ready to position yourself for a high-impact IT PM role in 2025? → Go to the top comment and apply to work with me 1:1. → Repost ♺ to help others in your network. Follow Jesus Romero for weekly PM career strategies.

"Architecting Project Serenity: Unveiling the Blueprint for IT Project Excellence 🚀 Dear CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, and Program Managers, tired of the turbulent journey that is IT project management? You're not traversing this path alone. In my two-decade tenure, I've intimately witnessed the hurdles you grapple with: missed deadlines, budget overruns, communication breakdowns, and the feeling of overwhelm within your teams. However, nestled within the chaos, I've honed a transformative approach to bring order to this complexity. Introducing the "Project Serenity Framework," a holistic, data-driven methodology that centers on: ❇️ 𝗨𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 ❇️ 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗣𝗣𝗠 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 ❇️ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 In successful IT project implementations, the following principles consistently emerge: ✨ 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝘆: Clearly defined goals, roles, and responsibilities eliminate confusion and ensure a unified direction. ✨ 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Real-time insights empower informed decision-making and proactive course correction. ✨ 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘀: Open communication and knowledge sharing foster a culture of accountability and support, boosting team morale and productivity. ✨ 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆: Equipping your team with the right tools and training unlocks their full potential and streamlines workflows. Implementing these principles within the "Project Serenity Framework" yields tangible outcomes: 🌐 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀: Goodbye to missed deadlines; welcome predictable, on-time completion. 🔄 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Optimize team utilization, avoiding bottlenecks and resource scramble. 📈 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Transparent communication and progress reports keep everyone informed and engaged. 💪 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀: Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and increased productivity. Ready to exchange project chaos for control and unveil your team's true potential? Let's connect in the comments below. Share your challenges, and let's explore how I can tailor the "Project Serenity Framework" to meet your organization's unique needs. Remember, in the realm of IT project management, you don't have to navigate alone. #projectmanagement #management #leadership #business #innovation #technology #ceo #cto #cio #programmanagers

After completing over 300 IT projects, I’ve learned one thing: Frameworks like Agile, Scrum, and Six Sigma are great… in theory. In real life? Projects rarely go as planned. Why? Because things happen. - Plans change. - Approvals get stuck. - Shipments are late. - People on medical leave. And suddenly, that perfect framework feels useless. Sound familiar? Here’s what I’ve learned after 300+ IT projects: - Start with the End Date: Lock in your target deadline. That’s your anchor. - Work Backwards: Build the timeline in reverse. It’s the only way to stay realistic. - Set Milestones: Break the project into chunks you can actually hit. - Focus, Focus, Focus: Forget perfection. Just hit those milestones, one by one. That’s it. No over-complicating. Just clear steps to move forward. My Biggest Takeaway Frameworks are helpful, but flexibility wins.  Plans change, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to follow a framework — it’s to deliver results. What about you? How do you handle it when plans fall apart?

Assessing Project Alignment in IT Portfolio Management: Assessing project alignment is not just a task but a crucial responsibility in IT portfolio management. It ensures that each project contributes meaningfully to the organization's strategic goals. This process involves a thorough evaluation of how proposed or ongoing projects align with the organization's long-term vision and objectives. By doing so, organizations can prioritize initiatives that drive growth, innovation, and competitive advantage. 1) Understanding Strategic Goals:  Before delving into project alignment, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the organization's strategic goals. These goals could range from market expansion and product development to cost reduction and customer satisfaction enhancement. For instance, a company aiming to expand its market share might prioritize projects that enhance its digital presence or develop new product lines. 2) Evaluating Project Scope and Deliverables: The second step in assessing project alignment is evaluating each project's scope and deliverables. This involves understanding the project's objectives, the required resources, and the expected outcomes. For example, a project to develop a new software application should be assessed based on its potential to improve operational efficiency or enhance customer experience. 3) Impact on Business Objectives: Next, it is crucial to assess each project's potential impact on the organization's business objectives. This involves analyzing how the project will contribute to achieving strategic goals. For instance, a project focused on implementing a new customer relationship management (CRM) system should be evaluated based on its ability to improve customer satisfaction and retention rates. 4) Prioritizing Projects Based on Alignment: Once projects are assessed for alignment, they can be prioritized based on their strategic importance. This involves ranking projects according to their potential impact on strategic goals, resource requirements, and risk factors. Projects that demonstrate strong alignment and high potential impact are given priority, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and the organization's strategic success is propelled. IT project managers role in assessing project alignment is vital to IT portfolio management. It enables organizations to focus on initiatives that drive strategic success. By systematically evaluating project scope, deliverables, impact on business objectives, and feasibility, you ensure that your project portfolio is aligned with your organization's long-term vision and goals. This strategic focus not only enhances project outcomes but also contributes to the organization's overall growth and competitiveness.

Software implementation can make or break business transformation. The right approach ensures success, while the wrong one leads to delays, cost overruns, and frustration. Here’s what works: ✅ Clear Goals & Scope - Define objectives, deliverables, and success metrics early. Control scope creep. ✅ Agile Over Rigid Plans - Plan well, but stay flexible. Adapt to challenges without derailing progress. ✅ Stakeholder Alignment - IT, business teams, and users must collaborate for smooth adoption. ✅ Strong Change Management - Technology alone isn’t enough. Train users early and manage resistance. ✅ Risk Mitigation - Identify technical, operational, or cultural risks and have solutions ready. ✅ Measurable Milestones - Break work into phases, track progress, and adjust as needed. Good project management isn’t just about meeting deadlines. It’s about delivering real business value.

Technical vs. IT Project Management (Know the difference, master the roles) In the fast-paced world of technology, not all project management is created equal. The line between 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗧𝗣𝗠) and 𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗜𝗧𝗣𝗠) is often blurred, but understanding the distinction is critical for project success. 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 dives deep into the technical details, making it perfect for software development, engineering, or advanced AI projects. 𝗜𝗧 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 delivers technology-enabled solutions, like implementing enterprise software, cloud migrations, or IT infrastructure upgrades. Misaligning the two roles can lead to the following: → Mismatched skillsets → Stakeholder misalignment → Delayed timelines and reduced efficiency So, how do you ensure success? ✅ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: Assign the right person to the right project based on their expertise. ✅ 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Understand the depth of technical knowledge or strategic alignment required. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: To bridge knowledge gaps, equip professionals with tools like ITIL, PMP, or AWS Solutions Architect certifications. Whether you manage technical teams or IT solutions, understanding the unique demands of these roles will save you time, resources, and headaches.

What they don't tell you about project management can hurt you. Here’s the truth no one talks about…  ➡️ Accountability without Authority You're expected to deliver results but often lack direct control over resources. The weight of responsibility falls on you, even when you can't dictate every step. So, how do you make it work? Influence, negotiation, and building strong relationships become your real tools.  ➡️ Managing Conflicting Priorities You’ll face competing deadlines and demands from multiple stakeholders. It’s not about making everyone happy—it’s about finding the balance that moves the project forward. Learn to say “no” strategically. It’s a skill that will set you apart.  ➡️ Success Isn't Always Clear-Cut Even when you hit every target, the definition of “done” can still be fuzzy.  Measuring success isn’t just about ticking off boxes. It’s about delivering value that aligns with your organization’s goals.  ➡️ The Bottom Line: Project management is more than processes and tools. It’s about navigating the grey areas. If you can master that, you’re already ahead of the game.  Have you faced these challenges in project management? Share your experiences or tips in the comments! Let's connect and navigate these gray areas together. 🔗 Follow for more insights.

Before starting any new initiative, everyone will ask "how long will it take" and/or "how much will it cost us?" When I was a developer, I used to get frustrated every time I was asked this question. And even more so when I was asked for an "accurate estimate" (wait... WHAT?!) 😶 But as I evolved into leadership roles, I understood why this data was important:    - It offered clarity on the size and complexity of the work. - It informed resource plans to complete the work or impacts to other projects. So, if you're ever asked the same question... Here are 5 techniques I've learned to estimate IT projects: 1. Bottom-up Estimation: Bottom-up estimating uses a work breakdown structure (WBS) which you can take from your project plan and break down a project into its individual tasks, which are estimated separately and then added together to calculate the total project cost. 2. Top-down Estimation: This is a method of evaluating a project or budget as a whole and then separating it into smaller components. It involves creating an overall plan or budget without defining the particulars, and relying on experience and past data to produce a ballpark figure for the total cost. 3. Three Point Estimation: Three-point estimation is a way to calculate a realistic cost estimation using the average of three data points: Best-Case, Worst-Case, and Most-Likely scenario. 4. Critical Path Method: The critical path is the shortest duration between the project’s start and end. This takes into account what tasks can be done in parallel, or which ones have dependencies on work to be completed first. 5. Analogous Estimation: This estimation process uses data from similar projects to determine the overall project cost. This works if you got relevant historical data. Of course, before you do any of the above, make sure you have a clear understanding of what the problem is and what a successful outcome should look like. If this isn't available, be sure to document all your assumptions! If you want to learn more project management fundamentals such as budgeting, planning, and risk management, sign up for The Digital Butterfly membership waitlist today! 😎

Think your project has cost overruns or is late because your team is inefficient? It’s late because someone tried to stretch the triangle. One of my favorite concepts in B-school was this simple, but spot on rule, because it really distills projects down to their fundamentals. Every project (IT or otherwise) lives inside the 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁: 🔺 Time 🔺 Scope 🔺 Cost The rule? You can only control two. If you want more 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 (scope), you need more time or budget. If you want it 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 (time), you either shrink scope or pay more. If you want it 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 (cost), reduce that scope or tighten deadlines. Sounds obvious? Yes, until enhancement creep kicks in. A new dashboard. An extra report. Add more, change this, remove that.... Suddenly, your “on track” project is off the rails. I've used this model more than once to explain the tight guardrails we work with. Stakeholders or external voices always want to change the scope after the fact. So, I try to: 🛑 Freeze enhancements early. 🤝 Renegotiate the constraints transparently. 📊 Track your triangle in real-time. Managing the Triple Constraint isn’t just for project management, it's for any project that you'll undertake. Draw it out to get a reality check.