Technical Project Manager

General Summary of Function/Purpose of Position

This position provides oversight, leadership, accountability and project management functions for one or more large size, complex projects. These projects typically utilize vendor participation and require complex schedules and integration with other systems.Large sized projects typically have durations longer than 6 months with 20 or more team members, require communication at the Agency Leadership level and have a medium to high risk. This position will ensure consistency with the State of Michigan (SOM) project management, investment management and systems engineering methodology (SUITE), perform long-term release planning based on organizational direction, regularly interact with the project management teams for status of budget, quality and schedule, escalate issues and risks as needed to executives and exercise project quality control activities to ensure project scope expectations are met.

Duty 1

General Summary of Duty 1 % of Time 50

Establish and monitor project CONTROLLING methods to insure timely knowledge and awareness of changes to project cost, quality or schedule.

Individual tasks related to the duty.

1. Continuously communicate detail plans and expectations to project team members and stakeholders throughout the entire lifecycle of the project.

2. Meet regularly with project team members (including internal and external stakeholders) to understand and log their progress on detail tasks, problems and concerns in order to confirm the expectations set forth in the project plan.

3. Enables all necessary project deliverables and documentation required by the SOM Methodology (SUITE).

4. Maintain metrics and logs that specify the progress and performance of the project team.

5. Maintain project issue and risk logs that identify potential or realized impacts to the project and communicate to higher management.

6. Continuously follow up on project issues or risks to insure timely resolution or mitigation.

7. Facilitate change management required for the project(s)

Duty 2

General Summary of Duty 2 % of Time 30

Provide PLANNING, STAFFING needs and REPORTING to insure the successful completion of assigned projects according to the sponsor’s goals and objectives.Planning, staffing and reporting should adhere to the State of Michigan’s Methodology (SUITE) and the Agency’s project prioritization process. Planning, staffing and reporting spans the entire lifecycle of the project from initiation to closeout

Individual tasks related to the duty.

1. Directs the development and maintenance of all SOM Methodology (SUITE) documents and deliverables from project initiation and planning through project closeout activities for ready access by all stakeholders..

2. Ensure proper change management when the project’s cost, quality or schedule has been impacted and communicates the changes timely to all project team members and stakeholders as defined by SOM Methodology (SUITE) and the Agency processes.

3. Directs the investigation and use of technology, process or staffing necessary to meet the objectives of the project.

4. Plans for necessary project team members/roles and facilitates the selection, training and development of the project team members to ensure the objectives and tasks of the project are met.

5. Understands and plans for the timely resolution of project issues and risks.

6. Establishes an effective project communication plan and ensures the plan is utilized by the project team and all stakeholders.

Duty 3

General Summary of Duty 3 % of Time 15

DIRECTS and coordinates the day to day activities, tasks and deliverables required from the project team according to the project plan.

Individual tasks related to the duty.

1. Assigns detailed activities, tasks and deliverables to assigned members of the project team ensuring understanding of the expectations such as functionality, due dates and estimated effort.

2. Assigns expected dates and functionality to external providers and ensures products or deliverables provided externally are available when needed.

3. Ensures appropriate interaction and integration between team members or external providers with connecting or dependent tasks.

4. Establishes and assigns routine administrative processes to the project team to ensure appropriate communications, reporting and metrics gathering.

5. Assists and advises the project stakeholders and team members through regular status meetings and defined walkthroughs.

6. Escalates issues, risks and logistical needs of the project to higher management as appropriate.

Duty 4

General Summary of Duty 4 % of Time 5

Perform miscellaneous functions as needed to contribute to the overall operation and objectives of the Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB).

Individual tasks related to the duty.

1. Attendance at staff meetings.

2. Stays abreast of new technology and advanced concepts through training, reading magazines, internet, periodicals and books.

3. Creates standards, procedures and templates for staff to use in their daily tasks.

4. Serves on assigned task forces, special committees and/or research groups.

5. Evaluates impact of new tools, languages and upgrades on systems.

6. Provides internal staff training.

7. Other duties as assigned.

Independent Responsibilities:

1. Establishing the current status of an assigned project.
2. Decisions in support of the DTMB standards, including the SOM Methodology (SUITE).
3. Decisions in planning, staffing, controlling, directing and reporting that do not alter the scope of assigned projects.
4. Decisions leading to the proposition of alternatives and recommendations that do not alter the scope of assigned projects.
5. Decisions involving preparation and quality of project deliverables

Responsibilities that would require supervisor’s review:

1. Matters that affect the budget beyond the project’s allocated amounts.
2. Deviation from SOM Methodology (SUITE).
3. When the decision results in a business process change.
4. When the decision impacts other systems and business units
5. When the decision impacts the Agency’s IT strategic direction

Physical Environment/Responsibilities:

1. The position operates in a standard office environment, performing duties within the assigned workspace.
2. Tasks can be completed routinely seated at a desk, in the context of meetings and meeting rooms.
3. Work requires extensive use of personal computers including keyboards and monitors.
4. This position is subject to stress and pressure to resolve problems quickly and effectively.
5. There are frequent deadlines that are imposed by external forces; heavy workloads are possible and overtime during development projects may be required.
6. Duties may involve lifting of 25 pounds or less
7. Duties may involve traveling to various project sites.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Five years of professional experience as a project manager for IT software or infrastructure projects involving 20 or more team members. OR Five years of professional experience equivalent to an IT Programmer/Analyst with experience managing a project/program typically 6 months to 2 years in duration with 20 or more team members in addition to a minimum of 1500 demonstrated and documented hours of coordinating IT software development or infrastructure projects.
2. Possession of a PMP Certification is highly desired.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Thorough knowledge of Project Management principles, concepts and practices.
2. Thorough knowledge of system development methods used for the development of new systems and enhancements to existing information systems.
3. Thorough knowledge of advanced concepts and basic operating principles of data communications and information systems hardware and software.
4. Ability to work in a team environment involving matrix organizations.
5. Ability to resolve conflicting high-priority requirements.
6. Ability to communicate the needs of others effectively.
7. Ability to gather and analyze facts, draw conclusions, define problems, and suggest solutions.
8. Ability to conduct training and informational sessions.
9. Ability to communicate effectively, build consensus, facilitate working sessions, and negotiate solutions and alternatives.
10. Ability to maintain favorable public relations and perform problem/issue resolution.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

1. Certain positions may be assigned subclass codes and individuals appointed must possess the required specialized experience or certification. (See Experience above)
2. Possession of a PMP Certification is highly desired.
3. Duties may involve the use of a personal vehicle.