You’re managing a team in system development. What skills do you need to succeed?

1 Technical skills

You don't have to be an expert in every aspect of system development, but you do need to have a solid understanding of the core concepts, tools, and methodologies that your team uses. This will help you to plan, monitor, and evaluate the progress and quality of the system, as well as to troubleshoot and resolve any technical issues that may arise. You should also be familiar with the latest trends and best practices in system development, such as agile, DevOps, and cloud computing, and be able to adapt and innovate accordingly.

3 Communication skills

Communication is key to any successful system development project. You need to communicate clearly and effectively with your team members, using various channels and formats, such as meetings, emails, reports, presentations, and code . You also need to communicate with other stakeholders, such as clients, users, and senior management, and to understand their needs, expectations, and feedback. You should be able to listen actively, ask relevant questions, and convey complex information in a simple and concise way. Additionally, you should be able to negotiate, persuade, and influence others, and to build rapport and trust.

4 Analytical skills

System development involves a lot of problem-solving and decision-making. You need to have strong analytical skills to identify, define, and prioritize the problems and requirements of the system, and to devise and evaluate the possible solutions and alternatives. You should also be able to use data and evidence to support your arguments and recommendations, and to measure and report the outcomes and impacts of the system. Furthermore, you should be able to think critically and creatively, and to apply logic and reasoning to complex and ambiguous situations.

5 Project management skills

System development is a project that has a specific scope, budget, timeline, and deliverables. You need to have effective project management skills to plan, organize, and execute the system development project, and to ensure that it meets the quality standards and expectations of the stakeholders. You should also be able to monitor and control the resources, risks, and issues of the project, and to adjust and optimize the project plan as needed. Additionally, you should be able to document and archive the project information and artifacts, and to conduct a post-project review and evaluation.

6 Interpersonal skills

System development is a team effort that requires a lot of interaction and cooperation among the team members and other stakeholders. You need to have good interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with everyone involved in the system development project. You should also be able to work effectively in a diverse and multicultural environment, and to respect and appreciate the different perspectives, opinions, and styles of others. Moreover, you should be able to motivate and support your team members, and to cope with stress and change.