> 90% – maybe 93% – of project managers, could probably disappear tomorrow to either no effect or a net gain in efficiency.
I agree with the majority of the article, but I feel this is a shallow thought. It really depends on the context as much as the PM. In an agency environment, I love PMs. Lots of the things they do on the developers behalf just aren't in my job description. If I had to do them, I'd get half as much code written.
I think PMs also get a bad wrap, because they are essentially the interface between a developer and the client. When the client is bad the PM can help shield the team from much of it, but ultimately the developers are going to feel the worst of a client through the PM no matter what.
I agree with you 100%. Where I work now, all of our PMs are subject matter experts. Some of our software relates to chemicals and our PM for that project is a former research chemist, for example. Their input is invaluable, since they know both the problem domain and the software development domain.
In a former job, at an agency, we didn't have that but still the PMs were the ones who dealt with cranky customers and sat through long meetings with sales etc. Also, good PMs will tell you when something doesn't matter so you don't waste time on it.
In either case, they handle all the difficult stuff and get us the info we need to do our jobs well. If I was to go back to freelancing or consulting, I'd hire a manager right away to handle all that stuff so I don't have to.
I agree with the majority of the article, but I feel this is a shallow thought. It really depends on the context as much as the PM. In an agency environment, I love PMs. Lots of the things they do on the developers behalf just aren't in my job description. If I had to do them, I'd get half as much code written.
I think PMs also get a bad wrap, because they are essentially the interface between a developer and the client. When the client is bad the PM can help shield the team from much of it, but ultimately the developers are going to feel the worst of a client through the PM no matter what.