IT
management is a field that requires a mix of skills and expertise than any other business career. Being an excellent information
technology manager does not only require the technical knowledge but needs the ability to relate available technical solution to the business. To be successful, you have to understand evolving technologies. A successful IT manager will update their
understanding of basic computing while, catching up with new features and their benefits. The major challenging aspect is identifying and perfecting the strong IT area and ensure adequate knowledge of other areas. Major IT divisions are Systems analysis and design, programming, systems administration project implementation and
management. The ability to master advanced business concepts is crucial. One needs to understand the business long term plan as a roadmap of aligning IT strategy with that of the business. This will gives a better platform of selling IT investments to management and manage complex projects. An IT manager needs to motivate a staff of highly intelligent, but often challenging individuals. IT manager roles are to originate with a project team members drawn from various functional departments. The manager becomes a Project Leader, who uses persuasion or none compulsive force to influence the project team members towards attainment of desired project objectives. To achieve this one has to have a good management knowledge, so as to manage in an unstructured environment by providing clear direction, have the ability to create and define clear attainable objectives, with the ability to also motivate, inspire, mentor and encourage team members to achieve stated objectives, through personal involvement at all levels and by understanding professional needs. One key to developing into an outstanding IT Manager is positioning yourself with a group pf mentors who have already mastered the many skills you need to develop. Be good in interpersonal relationship, as it would aid in an effective project team management through negotiations, positive influence, flexibility, cooperation, conflict resolution, supervision of work and appropriate level of delegation where needed as per responsibilities. Possess a wide knowledge and ability to effective communication through listening, understanding and persuasion of others. Be good in administrative skills so as to allow for the ability to organize & plan diverse projects, do proper estimation & negotiation of resources with a clear understanding of project type, perquisite policies & procedures and getting appropriate reports on work status, progress and performance. In conclusion, a Project Leader should also have the applicable technological knowledge or experience as per project type.