Telecom Project Manager
Telecom Project manager in the telecom space are the people in charge of a specific project or projects within a telecom business. As a project manager, their responsibilities are to plan, budget, manage and document all stages of a certain project. Telecom Project Managers are accountable for coordinating telecommunication systems installation projects for multiple businesses across the various platforms.
The Telecommunications Project Manager works closely with higher management to ensure that the scope and path of each project are as per schedule, along with other departments for support. Project managers might work by themselves, or be in charge of a team to get the job done.
Any business needs a proper system in a place which would help to achieve the business goals. Similarly, in the telecommunication projects, the manager plays a vital role in the successful completion of the work within the specified timelines with their output. There are different phases put in place by the experts.
Like any other field, Telecommunications project manager also follows the guidelines of project management and they are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring/controlling, and close out.
Nowadays the Telecom Project Manager follows the agile mode instead of the traditional approach. Agile project management came to light from the agile revolution brought by Highsmith. Agile project management methodology has a distinct project life cycle phases and is easily recognizable.
As companies try to scale up their processes and growth, time and resource management becomes essential. Most businesses want to assign as many resources as possible to consumer service and project set-ups for better output. The Telecom project manager delivers the solution which restructures and automates the process, releasing the organization to focus on tactically progressing the business forward.
A study has shown that nearly 57 percent of projects are unsuccessful because of a gap in communication between team fellows.
The Telecom projects in specific involve tight deadlines, a variety of unique jobs and specific protocols that require to be followed strictly. Through effective project manager, telecom business can avoid the communication issue, and team members can connect and share data with simplicity–from anywhere they happen to be engaged.
Job Description
The Telecommunications Project Managers are accountable for organizing telecom systems installation projects. The classic duties involve recruiting team members, allocating tasks, setting goals and deadlines, handling documentation, and consulting with customers.
A Telecommunications Project Manager is typically accountable for handling the management of business telecommunications services. This comprises voice and data facilities using terrestrial and wireless mode, in addition to CPE devices using TDM and VOIP technologies. A Telecommunications project manager also manages the routine maintenance of telecom networks and corporate telecommunications projects.
They provide the know-how regarding present telecom technologies, evolutionary cycles, and corporate plans are also one of the significant liabilities of the Telecommunications Project Manager.
Following are the Essential Responsibilities of a Telecom Project Manager
- To review the project plans, project scope and adjust required changes in it when needed
- A Telecom Project Manager studies various documents related to the project to help suggest techniques to improve the working and functionality of IT
- The Telecom Project Manager is majorly accountable for the creation, execution, and improvement of any telecommunications project. They manage its duties and guides other project staffs about the project
- A PM defines the assets which will be supportive in the application of the project work
- Project manager makes sure that the project work is accomplished before or on the timeframe date so that other units such as sales and marketing divisions can continue with the other procedures
- The Telecom Project Manager is also accountable for the victory and failure of the project. It is their responsibility to learn the lessons and share it with the other team members so that it should not be repeated in similar projects
Functions of Telecommunications Project Manager
Some of the most common functions performed by the Telecom Project Manager involves site survey, hardware installation, wireless access point management, WAN circuit activation, and NRFU Testing.
Site Survey: to start with, your telecom project manager evaluates the location and its IT infrastructure for better suitability. The field engineer handovers the blueprint of a given area to the telecom manager for a further decision.
Hardware Installation: the project manager takes care of the further installation process in association with the team towards its successful applicable hardware set-up. Field engineer looks after the necessary hardware to be installed once he gets the approval of project manager
Wireless Access Point Management: a study of the wireless access point for better connectivity of the site as per the client’s requirements
WAN Circuit Activation: after the installation of network the telecom project manager request for the internet service provider to activate the communication service with the help of field engineers’ team.
NRFU Testing: Here the primary function of Telecom project manager is to test the entire set up as outlined in the project agreement to ensure that all device is functional. Moreover, this is achieved with the help of quality controllers as well
Education & Certification
To be successful in this field, you will need to have an essential degree in computer science, IT, network technologies or a related field. A certification will add value to you as a professional.
There are several certifications which are beneficial for present Telecom Project Managers engaged with ongoing training as well as for other specialists looking to become either full time or a freelancer.
When it comes to taking people and systems together, networking is often required to make all the correct connections and technologies work on time. However, there's a lot more than just connection involved in telecom certifications and the technologies they deal with.
In general, the following are the necessary certification for a telecom project management:
- PMP (gold standard)
- Certified Project Manager
- Certified Project Management Practitioner
- CompTIA Project+ certification
- Certified Associate in Project Management
Apart from above following are the specialized certification for Telecommunications project manager:
- Certified Telecommunications Network Specialist (CTNS)
- Certified Telecommunications Project Management (CTPM)
- Registered Telecommunications Project Manager (RTPM)
Skills
To become a Telecommunications Project Manager, you should have the experience in handling the telecom projects along with knowledge in communication, networking, and engineering. Another essential characteristic which you must possess about people management along with customer service, and it is a not a joke irrespective of your degree or any other education.
The Program management of people is not a stress-free task; it takes an exceptional person to be a good manager that can supervise people on projects with a common objective to get the work completed within the timeframe.
Salary
As per Glassdoor, the average salary of Telecommunications Project Manager is around $90,337 per annum and ranges up to lakh or more depending on experiences in the United States. However, freelance work can also be rewarding and beneficial towards progressing your career. Those interested in working on a freelance basis should visit FieldEngineer.com for the best opportunities.
How Field Engineer Can Help you
To be hired as a freelance telecom project manager in the Telecom Freelance Marketplace, visit Fieldengineer.com, a freelance telecom field service marketplace, which connects employers seeking qualified candidates. Registered on it are about 40,000 engineers from various telecom fields from 180 countries, allowing companies to hire engineers on a contingent or a project basis.
