What are the key skills and competencies for IT managers and consultants?

More than that, being up to date with best practices, having competence, skills, knowing the strategies with whom you work or provide services and micro services. Knowing processes, understanding people and having dynamics in solving problems, not necessarily in that order.

Core skill of IT manager or consultant is problem solving to enable the business. In this era where digital transformation and customer experience is core area for organisations, IT consultants or manager should be able to deep dive in the problem and extract the best solution. People management is also an important skill.

Technical & business skills & experience although being the foundation for IT management and consultants; people management, leadership and industry-specific skills and experience cannot be ignored. Since IT management and consultants are driving changes, it takes leadership to bring innovative and transformation changes to the organization, to inspire the teams and stakeholders, and to add competitive values based on industry-specific knowledge.

Too many times, IT is not well-connected with the business and business functions - as a department as well as on an individual level. An effective way toward changing this (and towards developing business acumen) can be to network with colleagues from different departments outside of the IT organization. Genuine curiosity about what they do and work on, what excites them, what challenges they run into, and where they see the company and market moving can be effective ways to accomplishing that. How can you put that into practice? Coffee/ lunch breaks or (depending upon your company culture) reaching out to colleagues via your company's address book.

Business acumen is very necessary for IT Managers and Consultants. To start understanding it, First need to understand and apply in our own organization. It will help to make more easier to understand about business logics and agenda of customer's requirements. It would be high appreciated if someone have experience in similar industry segment what custmer belongs to. That would make IT professionals more confident to answer and face any situation which comes in front of his/ her customer. IT professionals should be updated about trending technologies as well as they are the "Front Face of any awesome product " which is developed collaboratively.

Absolutely, technical expertise is crucial for IT managers and consultants. Staying up-to-date with the ever-evolving IT landscape is vital to provide efficient, secure, and effective solutions. Pursuing certifications and staying informed about industry trends are great ways to enhance this expertise.

People skills always very important in any leadership position. And don't beat yourself up if you are not up on every bit of the latest technology. It will change in 6 months anyway. Common sense and outside the box problem solving also don't hurt.

Technical expertise is a cornerstone for IT managers and consultants. It's like having a toolbox filled with the right instruments for the job. With deep knowledge of IT systems, tools, and methodologies, we can design and implement solutions that are not just efficient and effective but also secure. Being able to troubleshoot and resolve IT issues and risks is paramount in today's digital landscape. Staying updated with the latest trends and certifications ensures we're well-equipped to tackle the ever-evolving tech challenges.

1. Latest IT trends are not easy to implement in large organisations. 2. Industry best practices are what they are so yes, makes sense to learn. 3. Innovation is easily implemented in some organisations and almost impossible in others. 4. Certifications and credentials are useful, but not essential.

The importance of a diverse team with a wide range of knowledge and skills cannot be overstated in the context of organizational growth and sustainability. No single individual can possess expertise in all areas, making it essential to have specialists in different domains within your team. By incorporating these specialists, you can tap into their deep knowledge and skills to drive your organization towards its goals. It's crucial to actively involve these experts, leveraging their expertise to propel your organization forward. Encouraging diversity, job rotation, and fostering a culture of engagement within your team can further enhance sustainability and fuel the growth of your company.

The fact of any modern organization is that you cannot go at it alone. And you won't solve every problem just by yourself. This means it is becoming even more important to communicate and to collaborate well. Being clear about three things can already show improvement in your communication: Who is your audience? What do you want to convey? What outcome do you want to achieve?

Leadership & Teamwork, A very important and necessary weapon to hit the quality work within estimated timeline. Which gains customers confident towards you.

I think I need to look up emotional intelligence because it’s not on my CV, it’s not a core skill and I’ve never seen it on any Clients job spec !

Leadership and teamwork are paramount for IT managers. It's not just about technical prowess; it's about guiding and inspiring others on this digital journey. Collaboration with diverse teams is the cornerstone of innovation and productivity. By fostering a positive IT culture, nurturing talent, and building trust with business stakeholders, we create a thriving ecosystem. Enhancing emotional intelligence, communication, and conflict resolution skills are vital steps in becoming effective leaders. Additionally, tapping into networks and mentors can provide invaluable guidance on this path of leadership and teamwork.

Interesting why these 2 roles have been grouped as if they are the same. The IT Manager and Consultants sit on opposite sides of the fence with the permanent employ making the final decision. The Consultant can collate analyse and recommend but have no power to spend internal budget.

Problem-solving skills are indispensable. They are like the compass and map in our digital journey. By adeptly collecting, processing, and interpreting data, we gain insights that drive informed decisions. These skills enable us to tackle IT challenges head-on, defining problems and devising creative solutions. It's all about optimizing performance, ensuring quality, and fostering innovation. To nurture these skills, enhancing critical thinking, logical reasoning, and creativity is key. Additionally, leveraging appropriate tools and frameworks provides a structured approach to problem-solving.

-Alignment with Business Objectives: Ensure projects support strategic goals. -Risk Mitigation: Minimize disruptions and cost overruns through effective management. -Resource Optimization: Efficiently allocate time, budget, and human resources. -Quality Assurance: Maintain standards and meet user expectations. -Stakeholder Engagement: Foster collaboration and reduce resistance to change. -Adaptation to Change: Implement structured approaches for handling transitions. -Clear Governance: Define roles, responsibilities and authorities. -Measurable Outcomes: Set project objectives and success criteria. -Compliance and Security: Integrate regulatory and security. -Customer Satisfaction: Enhance user experiences and deliver value to customers.

They serve as our compass in navigating the complex terrain of IT projects and transformations. By proficiently planning, executing, and monitoring projects, we ensure they stay on track, on budget, and within scope. Aligning these endeavors with business strategy and expectations is crucial to delivering the desired outcomes and benefits. To hone these skills, embracing recognized standards and methodologies like Agile provides a structured approach. Using appropriate tools and software further streamlines the management process.

Soft skills are crucial for IT management as they enable effective communication and collaboration with team members and stakeholders. The ability to empathize, listen actively, and convey ideas clearly can enhance teamwork and foster a positive work environment. Soft skills complement technical expertise in IT management, allowing professionals to excel in their roles and drive organizational success.

Communications and Strong leadership are all that matters. Everything else follows. Someone who can work across the business, find out what the challenges are and actively engage with stakeholders will succeed. They then need to be able show leadership in driving change forward.

Responsibility isn't easy. If you can't run it, leave it. 8 years running IT Departments for 2 hotels, with more responsibilities than I've imagined. Yes, it's hard. But... Your staff is the key.