Anybody can project manage software development…
Just like anybody can ‘cook’…. All you need to know is the process.
To cook an Indian vegetarian curry, all you have to do is, cut your choice of vegetables, may be onions and tomatoes, place a pan on the stove, oil, heat, add all the vegetables, stir, add salt and spices and you have your dish!
Should be easy enough! Well! The last time I tried doing this, I spent about an hour following the process I was so sure of… burnt my fingers a couple of times, sweat, teared (cutting those darn onions), and got my really good looking dish all done… I must add that I thoroughly enjoyed myself through the process…. I even had my chef’s cap and the apron to look professional…
The only problem was, when I ate the first little bit, I actually ended up throwing my hard cooked dish and had my delicious fill in a restaurant instead… It was a rude realization that I am not a chef, but I absolutely enjoyed what I ate at the restaurant!
I knew the process for sure!!! But I am not a chef!
I have seen countless people assume project management roles and fare miserably and still not have the self-honesty to accept that they are not meant for the job….
There are professional courses and certifications that have been developed around it for a reason!
The last time I checked, there are no institutions that are willing to give you the Project Management certification for knowing the words, nor for knowing the process….
Anyone can project manage software development…. But good project management means that you build software that actually works!
