The IT industry, or more broadly, the software industry, has grown significantly in recent years. This growth is attributed to several factors, ranging from easy access to technology and an increasing need for digitalization to modern hardware that is faster, more diverse, and more accessible. Additionally, the number of experts and brilliant minds in the field who have innovated and discovered new methods or improved ways of working has generated an immense volume of activity within this industry.
In the past, the term ‘software development’ encompassed nearly everything, but now the field is much more fragmented, with specializations such as Data Engineering, Machine Learning, or Cloud Infrastructure.
In theory, a project manager should be agnostic to the type of project they manage. But is this really the case? What do you do if you’ve spent many years in software development, working on the creation and management of web applications, and now need to adapt to a different field, such as cloud infrastructure projects or data analytics, where you don’t have the same experience? How do you ensure that the transition is successful and that you can meet the expected performance? For example, if you previously coordinated teams building mobile applications, but now you’re managing a project to migrate a company’s infrastructure to the cloud, how do you prepare for the new technical requirements and understand the specific terminology? Or if you have worked exclusively in front-end development and are moving to a machine learning project, what steps do you take to quickly acquire the necessary knowledge and understand your team’s expectations?
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to transition into new areas within the IT industry, adapting to various contexts and learning to manage the specific challenges of each. In this process, I have developed a set of principles and rules that have guided me each time I needed to familiarize myself with a new domain. I believe that applying these rules can facilitate a successful transition and help you maintain high performance.
1. Transferable Skills and Stakeholder Management
Focus on core project management skills that work in any field—planning, risk management, communication, stakeholder engagement, and resource allocation. Learn the new field’s language, translating familiar concepts like scope or timelines to fit the context. Use frameworks you know, such as Agile or Waterfall, as a starting point and adjust as needed. Map out key stakeholders, understand their priorities, and set clear expectations from the beginning to avoid misalignment.
2. Domain Knowledge Acquisition
Immerse yourself quickly by reading the basics, watching industry talks, and following experts to grasp what’s important. Assess your knowledge to pinpoint gaps and decide what to focus on next. Don’t hesitate to use LLMs for a quick overview; a well-crafted prompt can help you grasp the essentials fast. Also, connect with SMEs in the company who can clarify key concepts, challenges, and success metrics in this new field. As you learn, keep an open mind and be willing to adapt your understanding based on new information and insights.
3. Understand Context and Culture
Take time to observe if the new field leans towards innovation and risk or is more conservative. Adjust your style accordingly. Pay attention to the organization’s culture—every industry has its own pace and tolerance for risk. Watch how teams make decisions, collaborate, and handle conflicts, then tweak your approach to fit. Make sure you understand what success looks like in this environment—whether it’s speed, quality, compliance, or something else.
4. Create Quick Wins and Build Credibility
Look for easy wins where you can quickly make a difference, like tightening up meetings, improving documentation, or clarifying timelines. Deliver a small, impactful project early on to show your skills and earn trust. Lean on your strengths and past experience to bring quick efficiency improvements to the team.
5. Stay Honest and Vulnerable
Be open with your team about what you don’t know and your learning journey. Sharing your challenges can foster a supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable. Don’t hesitate to partner with team members to gain a deeper understanding of their work and the concepts at play. This not only helps you learn but also builds stronger relationships within the team. Embrace curiosity, ask questions, and show genuine interest in others’ expertise—it’s a great way to bridge gaps in your knowledge and create a collaborative atmosphere.
Bonus point: Embrace Agility and an Agile Mindset
Keep an agile mindset by staying flexible in your approach. Every field has its own development cycles, so be prepared to adapt your processes to fit the team’s needs, whether they lean towards iterative, agile, or more linear styles. Encourage an environment where experimentation is welcome, and learn from both successes and failures. Regularly revisit your strategies and be willing to pivot when necessary. This adaptability will help you respond to changes and challenges more effectively, ensuring that you and your team can thrive in a dynamic landscape.
