How to Become an IT Project Manager : A Complete Guide [2025 Update]

Information Technology (IT) project managers ensure projects are executed efficiently and align with the business strategies of an institution. Depending on experience level, they’re also tasked with leading software development projects or teams.

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics projects a 17% growth rate for computer and information managers from 2023 to 2030 which is faster than the average for most occupations. The importance of project management to IT cannot be overemphasized. Project management helps identify and mitigate risks, manage resources effectively, and ensure stakeholders are informed and involved throughout the project. 

In this article, you will learn the steps needed to begin your career as an IT project manager.

Six Steps to Becoming An IT Project Manager 

To begin your journey as an IT project manager, there are six major steps you would need to take and they are;

1. Understand the roles and responsibilities 
2. Identify required skills
3. Gain essential knowledge 
4. Build a robust project management portfolio 
5. Enhance your presentation and reporting skills 
6. Secure an Entry-Level Project Management job

Step 1: Understand the Roles and Responsibilities.

Before stepping into IT project management, it is important to understand what the role entails. An IT project manager ensures projects are completed on time and within budget while aligning with business objectives. An IT project manager’s core tasks are;

• Managing project timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring activities are within budget.
• Coordinating various teams with clear and efficient communication.
• Identifying potential risks, creating contingency plans, and coming up with solutions quickly.
• Ensuring the IT team’s alignment with company goals and objectives.

Understanding these roles will help you be better prepared to navigate the challenges that come with managing IT projects. 

Step 2: Identify the Required Skills 

To become successful as an IT Project Manager, you need a mix of technical and non-technical skills. A solid grasp of IT fundamentals combined with strong leadership and communication skills will help you guide teams and keep projects on track. You would need to focus on developing these technical and non-technical skills.

Technical Skills

• Understand Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC): Learn how software is planned, built, tested, and deployed to efficiently manage projects and how various SDLC models influence project timelines and collaboration efforts.
• Get familiar with Project Management Tools: Learn how tools like Trello, JIRA, and MS Project help manage workflows and improve team productivity. 
• Basic IT knowledge: To make informed decisions, learn the basics of programming languages like Python or Java, databases, and network systems to communicate better with technical teams.

Non-Technical Skills

• Leadership and Team Management skills: Learn to foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and ensure tasks are completed on time.
• Communication and Negotiation skills: You would be required to communicate project updates and details to developers and non-technical stakeholders. Negotiation skills are necessary to enable you to manage budgets, set realistic deadlines, and balance stakeholder expectations.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving skills: Learn to analyze situations, assess risks, and find effective solutions when challenges come up.
• Time Management and Organization skills: You would need time management and organization skills to delegate tasks and use effective scheduling techniques to ensure deadlines are met.

Getting these technical and non-technical skills will make it easier to step into an IT project management role with confidence. If you are switching into IT project management from another role, you could identify relevant skills from your past roles, hone them, and communicate them as your advantage.

Step 3: Gain Essential IT Project Management Knowledge 

After identifying essential skills, you need a strong grasp of project management concepts, frameworks, and tools. While some employers prefer candidates with formal education, there are multiple ways to build your knowledge –  through alternative learning platforms like; online courses, bootcamps, and entry-level programs like Evolve With Tech.

Traditional Education

• University Degrees: Earning a degree in courses like Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Business, or Project Management gives you a structured understanding of project management principles, IT infrastructure, and business operations. However, getting a university degree requires significant financial investment (tuition and other living expenses), focuses more on theoretical knowledge, and requires 3-4 years of dedicated Learning.
• Professional Certifications: There are a few industry-recognized certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP), PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2), and Agile Scrum Master. Note that most of these certifications require significant work experience and are focused on structured project management methodologies that might overwhelm a beginner.

Hands-on Training

• Online courses: These are online programs that offer easily accessible and flexible IT project management courses. They allow you to learn at your own pace but demand a high level of discipline to complete. Also, they lack personalized guidance because lessons are usually uploaded beforehand.
• Entry-Level Training Programs: These are intensive programs focused on teaching you essential skills within a short period. Programs like the Evolve With Tech project management training feature interactive live sessions from industry experts, career support, micro-internship opportunities, and certifications ensuring you gain practical skills necessary for your career as an IT project manager. 

When choosing a learning path, ensure you consider one that provides you with a well-rounded foundation to manage IT projects effectively and earn industry certification. The Evolve With Tech IT Project Management Program is tailored for beginners and requires the completion of a project for your portfolio and awards a certificate upon completion.

Step 4: Build a Robust Project Management Portfolio 

A strong portfolio helps you stand out as a beginner just starting in the IT project management field. It shows your ability to manage projects, use the right tools, and document your processes effectively. Here are a few tips on how to structure yours:

Case Studies of Projects Managed

You should create case studies based on projects where you helped coordinate tasks, track progress, or solve any IT-related project management issue.

For each case study, include:

• The project goal
• Challenges faced and how you handled them
• The tools or methods you used
• Achieved results from your process (meeting deadlines, improving workflow, etc.)

Showcase Management Tools

Recruiters want to see that you can use project management software so instead of just listing project management software you used, show how you used them like:

• Trello/Asana: “I created Trello boards to assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, to ensure the seamless coordination between designers and developers.”
• Jira: “I created user stories, logged issues, and prioritized fixes, which kept the development cycle on schedule with Jira.”
• Microsoft Project: “I mapped out key phases using Microsoft Project for data transfer, testing, and deployment, to help stakeholders visualize the project timeline.”
• Monday.com: “I set up automation for status updates, reducing manual follow-ups and improving team efficiency using Monday.com.”

Also, include relevant screenshots or short descriptions of how you structured projects within these tools 

Presentations and Documentation

A project manager’s work requires exhaustive documentation and having solid examples of project documentation in your portfolio gives you an edge. If you don’t have real-world experience yet, create sample documents based on hypothetical projects and practice key project management skills. Ensure you include:

• Project Plans: These are brief breakdowns of the project scope, timeline, and deliverables.
• Risk Registers: Usually simple tables outlining potential risks and mitigation strategies.
• Post-Mortem Reports: Feature the summary of lessons learned after a project wraps up.

By structuring your portfolio this way, you provide clear evidence of your skills and make it easier for recruiters to see your potential.

Step 5: Enhance your Presentation and Reporting Skills 

A key part of being an effective IT project manager is ensuring that project progress is communicated clearly to all stakeholders. Strong presentation and reporting skills can help you communicate your project’s status and manage expectations. Here’s how you can develop these skills:

• Master storytelling with data to communicate project status: As an IT project manager, your job would be to turn raw data into insights that help stakeholders make informed decisions. Begin by outlining the project status, identifying challenges that need attention, and using visuals like charts to present your data. By structuring your reports as a story, you keep stakeholders engaged and ensure that project updates lead to meaningful discussions and decisions.
• Develop skills in creating compelling presentations for project reviews: To deliver a compelling project review presentation, keep your slides clear, structured, and focused. Highlight key milestones, risks, and next steps using visuals like graphs and timelines to simplify complex data. Tailor your content as executives may prefer high-level insights, while teams may need technical details. Strong presentation skills help you communicate project progress effectively and you stand to gain stakeholder support.

Step 6: Secure an Entry-Level IT Project Management Job

After getting foundational knowledge, the next step will be to find a role that aligns with your goals and interests. Several positions can help you build experience and grow into a senior IT project manager. A few niches in this field include;

• Junior Project Manager: Focuses on managing small projects, handling administrative tasks, tracking timelines, and ensuring project deliverables are met.
• Project Coordinator: Handles the day-to-day project logistics and manages schedules, coordinates meetings, tracks progress, and communicates with teams.
• Business Analyst: Gathers information on project requirements, defines goals, and identifies solutions to problems.

Ensure you explore the various areas of the field before selecting a good fit. Also, you could begin as a general IT project manager before you decide to specialize.

Skills Recruiters Look For

There are specific skills recruiters look out for you should focus on gaining and communicating your proficiency in these skills to increase your chances of being selected.

• Experience with Agile or Waterfall methodologies: Familiarize yourself with these methodologies and how they apply to different types of projects through training, courses, or hands-on experience.
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure and software development processes: IT projects often involve understanding the technical aspects of systems, infrastructure, and development processes so, ensure to understand the basic principles of software development.
• Ability to manage stakeholders and client relationships:  As a project manager, you need strong communication and relationship management skills to communicate and ensure everyone is aligned on project goals. 

By focusing on these job roles and skills, you’ll be able to find the right entry-level position that sets you up for success in IT project management. Remember, it’s about gaining experience, learning on the job, and building the relationships and skills that will help you on your journey.

Additional Steps for Career Preparation 

Craft an Effective Resume

Your resume is your first impression, so it needs to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in a way that grabs the recruiter’s attention. Here’s how to make it stand out:

• Highlight your project management experience and include any relevant projects you’ve worked on.
• Mention project management tools and list industry-standard tools you’re familiar with.
• Include certifications and training you have completed as it gives you credibility.
• Keep it concise and well-structured by using clear language to make your resume easy to skim.

Build a Professional Online Presence

Today, your online presence matters just as much as your resume because employers often check your digital footprint before considering you for a role. A few ways to establish yourself online include;

• Optimize your LinkedIn profile: Make sure your profile reflects your IT project management skills and use industry keywords to improve your visibility in recruiter searches.
• Engage in professional forums and groups: Join communities where discussions on industry trends and job opportunities happen as engaging in these spaces can help you learn and network.
• Share insights and updates: Posting articles or commenting on discussions show you are actively engaged in the field and this could attract recruiters and potential mentors.

Network and Learn Continuously

Networking isn’t just about job hunting, it is about building valuable connections that can guide and support your career growth. A few tips to go about this would be;

• Attend industry conferences, webinars, and local meetups: Events hosted by organizations like PMI (Project Management Institute), Agile Alliance, and tech companies often offer insights into industry trends while allowing you to meet professionals who can share job leads and advice.
• Join professional bodies like PMI (Project Management Institute): Becoming a member of PMI or similar organizations gives you access to exclusive job boards, training materials, and networking opportunities that can help advance your career.

Prepare for Interviews

Once you start applying for jobs, interview preparation is key as employers want to see that you understand IT project management principles and can handle real-world challenges. Prepare to discuss common challenges you face with responses that highlight your problem-solving skills. Practice stating your results like:

• I control budget overruns by reviewing expenses, cutting unnecessary costs, negotiating with vendors, and reallocating resources to stay within budget.
• I handle difficult stakeholders by maintaining structured communication, setting clear expectations, documenting all decisions, and requiring formal approvals to minimize disruptions.

Next would be to familiarize yourself with commonly asked interview questions to test your knowledge. Stage mock interviews with sample questions to make sure your answers demonstrate your expertise. Practice questions like:

• “How would you handle a project that is falling behind schedule?”
• “Describe a time you had to manage conflicting stakeholder expectations.”

Make sure your answers address all questions and answer with confidence. If you have insightful questions, you could ask the recruiters during the interview.

Strategies for Job Search

A smart job search strategy increases your chances of finding the right opportunity faster. Knowing where to look and how to position yourself is required to break into the IT project management field. Here are a few strategies to help you:

• Use job boards effectively: Websites like Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, and specialized IT project management forums regularly post job openings so set alerts and tailor your applications to each role.
• Network with HR professionals and recruiters: Many tech companies hire through referrals so connecting with recruiters and reaching out to HR professionals in the tech sector can open doors to hidden job opportunities.
• Consider contract roles or freelancing: If full-time roles are competitive, freelancing or short-term contract work can help you build experience while expanding your network.

Taking these additional steps will make your transition into IT project management smoother and set you up for long-term success. Keep learning, network, and stay proactive in your career journey.

Becoming an IT Project Manager with Specialized Programs 

EvolveWithTech offers flexible, beginner-friendly programs that provide you with career roadmaps, expert instruction, and real-world internships to help you thrive in the tech space. 

Our IT project management program typically lasts between six to eight weeks with a focus on transforming you into a powerhouse. We deliver practical tools and support so you can confidently begin your journey as a data analyst. 

Our Career Tapestry Snapshot software analyzes your strengths and interests using SWOT insights to create a personalized career roadmap for your tech journey. Here, you get to learn from industry experts with interactive one-on-one lessons, hands-on projects, and quizzes designed to solidify your skills. 

At EvolveWithTech, you will gain real-world experiences to enhance your portfolio by interning with industry partners and joining a supportive community of tech learners to accelerate your growth.

Getting started with our IT project management program at EvolveWithTech is straightforward. Below are the steps to enroll:

• Register your interest by completing the form to confirm your commitment. 
• Join our live introduction webinar, where we’ll explain the program, address your questions, and guide you through the process.
• Get paired with a personal advisor who will help craft your tailored career roadmap based on a personalized assessment called the Career Tapestry Snapshot, available for just $25. 
• Secure your spot in the next cohort by registering for the Evolve Pod for $475, which confirms your enrollment. 

With payment finalized, your advisor will provide class schedules, login details, and everything you need to officially start your exciting tech journey. Note that our program is designed to accommodate working professionals and we offer multiple schedule options.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion and Next Steps 

In this article, we have covered the steps required to become an IT project manager with no prior experience: Understand the role and responsibilities, Identify required skills, Gain essential IT project management knowledge, Build a robust portfolio, Enhance your presentation and reporting skills, and secure an entry-level job.

Are you ready to begin your journey as an IT project manager? Evolve With Tech’s IT Project Management evolution track is the best place to start. Visit https://evolvewith.tech/it-project-management/ to get started.