IT manager Skills
Hi, I'd like to become an IT Manager someday. What should I learn to achieve it?
Being a manager isn't always about your skills. This will not make you a good manager. You need to know how to work with people, how to communicate with them, how to motivate them... These skills are more important than you might think.
ASKER
Yup I have background in Networking, know AD, Exchange, Vsphere, Backup, a bit of security and pentest. But do not know software /coding...
Also depends on the company. One company might need an IT manager to be focused on fixing the financial of the IT, some just wants everything to run smoothly (and budgeting is done in the finance dept).
The more you already know, the more you can fix. The less you know, the more people you have to hire. (Just in a nutshell obviously, as work load also comes in play)
The more you already know, the more you can fix. The less you know, the more people you have to hire. (Just in a nutshell obviously, as work load also comes in play)
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In small entities, IT Manager will be the main person to set and manage the servers, network and applications.
In medium and large entities, there will not be one IT Manager. There will be CIT e.g. and will subordinates who will be managing different components and there will be planning, development, and operations sections.
So in this case the skills will be different based on role.
In medium and large entities, there will not be one IT Manager. There will be CIT e.g. and will subordinates who will be managing different components and there will be planning, development, and operations sections.
So in this case the skills will be different based on role.
ASKER
But at least, they should know which apps will be needed for IT Operations, am I right?
Do you think these are enough?
- Core network, firewall, server
- Backup
- Monitoring
- Ticket system
- Security, logs
- Internal applications for HR, Accountant, Purchasing...
Do you think these are enough?
- Core network, firewall, server
- Backup
- Monitoring
- Ticket system
- Security, logs
- Internal applications for HR, Accountant, Purchasing...
The applications used by each entity can be different as the platforms used can be different.
e.g. one entity may choose to use Intel based servers + Windows , another may choose Intel based servers + linux, etc and here the applications will be different e.g. they may choose IIS + SQL server for their applications or Apache + Oracle, etc.
Same applies to network switches and firewalls, etc.
The products experience will vary based on the platform selected.
The common thing is that you should know the functions / features you need for each type of application or network component.
e.g. one entity may choose to use Intel based servers + Windows , another may choose Intel based servers + linux, etc and here the applications will be different e.g. they may choose IIS + SQL server for their applications or Apache + Oracle, etc.
Same applies to network switches and firewalls, etc.
The products experience will vary based on the platform selected.
The common thing is that you should know the functions / features you need for each type of application or network component.
It's a difficult question to easily answer, as previously put forward in the replies it depends on the company, it's size and the role of the individual
Some see an "IT Manager" as a person with a screwdriver and nothing more; others see it as a role which covers everything technical and then there are those who see it as a mixture.
Regardless of discipline, experience is just as important as is deciding if you want to move up the ladder, run 1/2/3rd line support or take a more hands on/off approach.
Some see an "IT Manager" as a person with a screwdriver and nothing more; others see it as a role which covers everything technical and then there are those who see it as a mixture.
Regardless of discipline, experience is just as important as is deciding if you want to move up the ladder, run 1/2/3rd line support or take a more hands on/off approach.
Some start with hardware, others with networking or server admin.
For me, the best IT managers know practically every major thing, with the trade off that you're not the ABSOLUTE expert in one field. A good all-round IT manager who can do all of what I mentioned above, might not be an Oracle DBA expert. But that's not always necessary, as in those cases you just have to hire a specialist.
Some IT managers learn one or two things, and stick with those. However, an IT manager still has to have analytic skills to master the unknown. In most cases, it's not what you already know, it's how fast you can learn and adept.
If you have such a broad base, you also have the skills to steer others who are better in other fields, or you know what type of person to hire for some other specialist job.