How To Become A Web Project Manager

Web project managers organize the planning, creation and implementation of Web sites and becoming a web project manager is a position in increasingly high demand.  The field is expanding rapidly and opportunities for people interested in web project management are expected to grow at an above average rate, due to continuing advances in technology and the increased role of the Internet in conducting business affairs. Project managers are responsible for coordinating all aspects of a Web site’s content and functionality in order to make sure the finished product meets company goals and objectives. Some of the Web sites they may help develop include: e-commerce Web sites, marketing Web sites, informational Web sites, employee communication Web sites, and inventory databases.

 

The daily duties of a web project manager can include the following tasks:

 

• Estimate the time needed to complete the project

• Estimate the resources needed to complete the project and develop a budget for the work

• Handle interruptions or problems that occur during the creation of the Web site

• Plan and organize meetings for team members developing the Web site

• Double check the work of people who are developing the Web site

• Provide project status updates to supervisors or project stakeholders

• Track expenses and make sure vendors receive payment for their work

 

In some cases, a web project manager may also be responsible for coordinating maintenance of a Web site. However, project management most often refers to work that is limited in scope instead of an ongoing task.

 

There are a multiple approaches to project management, although the most common include critical chain project management, agile project management, and process-based management.

 

 

To be a successful web project manager, you must be able to communicate clearly. You will need to work with a variety of people to accomplish your goals. Your project may involve writers who prepare the content, programmers who write the code and web designers who create the look of the finished site. The final Web site may need to be approved by a committee of stakeholders who might not agree on the project’s priorities. Managing the conflicting needs and opinions of different groups of people is an important part of being a project manager.

 

Project managers must also be very organized. Web sites often have hundreds or even thousands of separate pages that are connected. Creating a Web site that provides useful information in the most efficient way possible is a complicated task with many different steps that you must oversee. Forgetting one important detail can easily throw the entire project off track.

 

A web project manager usually has programmers and web designers working as part of his team, but strong technical skills are still considered very important for this position. In most cases, a web project manager will be expected to be familiar with:

 

• HTML

• CSS

• Photoshop

• ASP

• JavaScript

• SQL

• Database design and implementation

• Systems security

• Networking

 

Typically, a web project manager will have a bachelor’s degree. A background in business is most common, but the exact educational background that is preferred will vary depending upon the industry. In highly technical fields, a degree in computer science, information science, or management information systems may be the most beneficial.

 

Upper level management positions may require an MBA in addition to several years of work experience. However, many companies that will hire project managers with a bachelor’s degree provide tuition reimbursement as part of their employee benefits package.

 

 

Web project managers can be employed by a variety of businesses. Some of the companies that hire project management professionals include software publishers, web hosting companies, computer systems designers, insurance carriers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and government agencies.

If you are a college student interested in a career in web project management, it is a good idea to take as many project management, business, and computer science courses as possible while looking for an internship in the field. Project managers must also be strong leaders, so any type of leadership experience that you can gain from your extracurricular activities will also be helpful.

 

If you are currently employed and considering project management as a second career, you will want to structure your résumé to highlight your management experience and technical skills. Obtaining certifications in specific software programs or in areas such as search engine optimization, pay per click marketing, or e-commerce may also be helpful.

 

Experienced project managers often obtain project management certification in order to demonstrate their skills to a potential employer. There are many different types of certifications available, each with different requirements regarding your previous work experience and education. Some of the project management certifications to consider include:

 

• Program Management Professional (PgMP)

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

• PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)

• PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)

• Project Management Professional (PMP)

• PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

 

When looking for a job as a project manager, keep in mind that web project managers may also be known as web production directors, web production managers, web producers, or online project managers.