Saturday, May 2, 2009

The Project Managers Role in a New IT Network

The project manager's role in a new IT network involves defining the project to meet the objectives and then dividing it into the tasks and stages to get the finished IT network that runs smoothly and efficiently.

Not only are they responsible for controlling the different stages, but they need to be able to identify financial consequences and risks involved if changes in configuration or additional equipment is needed and figure out ways to deal with them.

The project manager's role in a new IT network is to also determine each person's role as part of the team and provide a controlled, organized and consistent approach to track the progress as the finished IT network nears completion. They are responsible for good communication between the different components of the IT network and they need to be aware of flexible decision points, to determine the best option, at the time it can still be altered. If the project manager fails to identify problems as they arrive during installation, it can cost more to correct items after the fact or it is later found out that they don't perform the tasks expected.

The primary role of the project manager is to keep the business purpose of each step in the network installation process in mind, and the involvement of management or ownership at the times where a business or financial decision is needed. The role involves coordination between departments and vendors that will be using, installing and responsible for the proper working of the IT network.

Because there may be a need for coordinating telecom services, IT asset recovery companies, new computer equipment vendors for hardware, software and firewall or antivirus protections, it is essential that data is transferred, and all components of the IT network are functioning. This will ensure a smooth transition without the problem of business interruption or data loss.

A good project manager should be aware of technical and logistic problems that may arise during the initial installation, setup and training on a new IT network. For large networks, where a large budget is set aside for the hardware, software and installation, it is the project manager's role to make sure that everything is delivered, working and at the price agreed upon when installing the new IT network.

With any project, it is possible to have unexpected expenses, but the project manager is to oversee the coordination to make sure that it is kept at a minimum and yet fulfills the expected needs of the business and management.

Because so much business is conducted electronically, it is crucial that a new IT network is functioning in a proper and secure manner and an experienced project manager should have the knowledge both technically and operationally to make the transition run smoothly and successfully.

To sum up this role the project manager in a new IT network is a coordination effort that involves all of the aspects of an important IT asset, while keeping communication, scheduling and expense in line with the budgeted plan.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who writes for a number of UK businesses. For information on Project Management when building a new IT network, he recommends Network 24, a leading UK provider of Communication Networks.

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