Short Answer is NO, you don’t need a project manager. In fact, one of the most common mistakes made by companies implementing Ivanti Neurons for ITSM/ITAM aka Ivanti Service Manager (HEAT) is to assign a Project Manager.
Don’t get me wrong, there are many great project managers out there and there is a need to project manage many hardware type of implementations and large scale software development projects. For Ivanti HEAT Neurons ITSM however, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is assigning a Project Manager.
Why are Project Managers NOT needed? Ivanti Projects require subject matter experts with years of Ivanti experience and competence. We’re talking Ivanti Service Manager, HEAT ITSM, not Project Management. We’re talking the kind of skills & competence a seasoned Ivanti HEAT Developer and Consultant has with at least 15 years Ivanti Implementation, Consulting & Development experience and at least 50 Ivanti Implementations as a lead, not a project manager, not assisting. It’s not unlike seeking medical advice from a professional. If you go to your local doctor, they’ll want to do tests or prescribe medication. If you go to a surgeon, they’ll want to cut you open. In other words, people tend to stick to what they know, what they were taught. Project Managers by nature are all about Scheduling, Status Calls, Status Updates, Targets, etc. Ivanti Architects/Consultants/Developers/Freelancers should be about results and getting things done. Without any red tape, back-seat drivers, or micro (project) managers. Lets face it, when you go to your doctor, there is no project manager needed either. Why? Because when you’re dealing with a professional, they don’t need baby-sitting. Sounds blunt? Well it is what it is. There are far too many projects that take 2 to 3 times as long due to the project management overhead that wants to talk about what’s being done without really helping the effort.
Project Managers are NOT subject matter experts
This is the biggest problem is that project managers want to act like subject matter experts when they simply are not. The old saying, a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous, is so true here. Especially when things get technical. Project managers have a tendency to want to make decisions or answer subject matter related questions. It’s not unlike going to the doctors office and the receptionist who manages bookings wants to give you medical advice… RUN!
When do you need a project manager? The only time you arguably could benefit from a project manager is when there are tasks that are outside of the technical scope of the Ivanti HEAT Neurons Implementation. Such as communications, end-user training, scheduling of resources, deciding on org structure and ticket routing/business processes, SOPs. And even that is better taken care of by the decision maker, which typically is the Service Desk Manager or IT Department Manager.
What if you have a large Ivanti Development Team? Arguably this could be an exception as well. If there are more than 5 Ivanti Developers or you are managing multiple Global Production Tenants, then there will be a need to coordinate & plan. But the better question would be..
- Why is there such a large team in the first place?
Most truly senior Ivanti Developers/Consultants/Architects can do the work of 5 junior developers.
- Why doesn’t the most senior Ivanti Architect take charge and manage the project?
- Why doesn’t the project owner, service desk manager, or IT Department manager oversee the project instead?
- If you’re working with a business partner or Ivanti, why isn’t the assigned consultant senior enough to manage the big picture?
From 26+ years Ivanti HEAT ITSM Implementation experience and 100+ Ivanti HEAT Neurons implementations globally for Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies in the UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, APAC, Asia, Canada, and the USA, I can tell you without a doubt that less is more, and 99% of the time, project managers are not needed and typically get in the way of getting things done.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions, including project managers with 10 years experience wanting to learn more about Ivanti and just not getting simple basic concepts or trying to take part in the decision making process with their limited Ivanti knowledge that they of course perceive different. Ultimately it should be the Project Decision Maker that drives the project and works closely with the Ivanti Architect.
When you want to get things done, you go to an Ivanti expert with hands-on-roll-up-your-sleeves-in-the-field experience. A professional Ivanti Architect or Consultant that can manage your project.
Are you getting the most from your Ivanti resources?
You are NOT. Not until you talk to me. Guaranteed!
ITSM/ITAM/ESM Blog 
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