Abstract
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)
This dissertation provides an investigation on the level of technical knowledge which project managers
have to carry to deliver technical projects. It has now become a standard to many organizations to run
their deliverables in projects to reach their objectives and every project is set to be unique. Project
management can be thought as the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to meet project
requirements or coordination of human, financial and material resources to achieve beneficial change
defined by quantitative and qualitative objectives. At the heart of project management is the project
manager a project director and driver. Project manager is a professional tasked with leading a project
from inception to completion [27]. It is not clear as to which level of technicality must project managers
be to delivering projects in time, on budget and in an acceptable quality, thus the duties and qualities of a
technical inclined project manager are covered in this study. Project manager leads a project team from
the start of a project life cycle to finish, accomplishing the project objectives on time and within budget.
Facing obstacles, budget and time-constraints, project manager is a key to planning and executing
projects that produce the desired deliverable or result [4]. Developing the literature around the project
management industry outlines the duties and responsibilities of a project manager which then defines the
skills needed for project managers.
It is safe enough to have a project manager with all the required skills stretching from technical through
to managerial. Organizations delivering large scale projects have developed a role of an engineering
manager who takes control of all technical aspects of the project. A project with an engineering manager
allows the project manager to administrate the project and in that case the level of technicality for project
managers is not important. A great athlete does not always make a great coach. Some of the best
coaches in the world were not the best athletes, but have a firm understanding of the game. As
suggested in [28] by Richard Fanelli, an architect and project manager guru that “a complete project
manager must be an expert technically and knowing how things are done, as well as being detail
oriented”. The one person the place can't function without. Everyone, the boss, supervisors, assistants
comes to you for help. But where do you as a project manager go when you need help? As a project
manager one is part bookkeeper, part administrator, part leader, part human resource pro, part technical
guru, and part many other parts without parting ways with your sanity. Findings to the research topic are
drawn to support the final conclusions discussed in the later part of the report. The project manager must
also have technical competence in some aspects of the work being performed on the project. It appears
however that there is considerable disagreement between researchers on the issue of how much
technical knowledge is required. The more technically aware one is, the better they will be able to
understand risks, potential roadblocks, and impacts of delays to the schedule. Project manager requires
skills in three primary areas, namely interpersonal, technical and administration to deliver project
successfully.