What does a software development project manager do?
Software development project managers are responsible for scheduling, planning, and delivering software and web projects. The managers must have knowledge of project estimation techniques and the ability to motivate team members. These managers plan out the blueprints for software projects like allocating resources, laying out communication strategies, and indicating test and maintenance. Also, they participate and supervise each stage of the project, ensure each project stays on schedule and adheres to the deadline, and discuss potential projects with clients, software developers, and executives.
Software development project manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real software development project manager resumes:
- Project manage hardware and software (SDLC) development tasks by engineering teams in Austin, Dresden and Bangalore.
- Complete database logical design, verification and validation for production managing software of oil tube production line.
- Manage technical integration of large relational databases, product fulfillment systems and architecture; directly report to CTO.
- Collaborate with other developers, perform QA functions, access and prioritize customer needs to produce high quality software applications.
- Move team from custom language to Java.
- Establish the use of Jira for project planning, tracking and sprint planning.
- Prepare project plans, track status, produce reports on key metrics, and distribute documentation using SharePoint.
- Establish alliances with all departments to improve the SDLC and identification of scheduling and development dependencies among all cross functional teams.
- Implement and maintain development guidelines and QA procedures.
- Utilize the JavaScript base classical and prototypal inheritance.
- Collected/Analyze requirements; compile requirements into separate user stories for scrum sprints.
- Create Visio process maps detailing user-system interactions and data flows to facilitate design of future networks.
- Develop first Java web-base application in history of company, allowing company to increase its marketability for new business.
- Develop algorithms using MATLAB & VC++ integrating magnetic position tracking with electronic palpation data to generate tactile breast exams.
- Translate conceptual business solutions to real code using advance web technologies including client/server software, development frameworks and database languages.
Software development project manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Software Development Project Managers are proficient in Project Management, Scrum, and Software Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Creativity, Detail oriented, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Software Development Project Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Project Management, 16%
Demonstrated well-developed project management skills during the design, implementation and testing of IT solutions, including product installation and support.
- Scrum, 8%
Developed and deployed the Agile with Scrum method to start-up mobility communications management company.
- Software Development, 5%
Implemented best practices/procedures for internal software development/quality assurance/deployment activities.
- Jira, 4%
Managed integration of Monsoon marketplace with Sears website; reworked Bugzilla structure/managed migration of database to Jira; wrote Confluence documentation.
- Project Scope, 4%
Defined the project scope, created and maintained the complex project plans and project documentation.
- Agile Project Management, 3%
Lead both waterfall and Agile project management processes.
"project management," "scrum," and "software development" are among the most common skills that software development project managers use at work. You can find even more software development project manager responsibilities below, including:
Creativity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a software development project manager to have is creativity. Their role and responsibilities require that "developers are the creative minds behind new computer software." Software development project managers often use creativity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "support and maintenance of hotel management system including accounting, billing, inventory, etc. "
Detail oriented. Many software development project manager duties rely on detail oriented. "developers often work on many parts of an application or system at the same time and must therefore be able to concentrate and pay attention to detail.," so a software development project manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways software development project manager responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "focused in complex database driven adobe flex applications with advanced object oriented actionscript and mxml. "
Interpersonal skills. software development project managers are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to software development project manager responsibilities, because "software developers must be able to work well with others who contribute to designing, developing, and programming successful software." A software development project manager resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "core skills: exceptional interpersonal communication, program/product management. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain software development project manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a software development project manager rely on this skill, as "because developers are in charge of software from beginning to end, they must be able to solve problems that arise throughout the design process." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what software development project managers do: "managed internal quality assurance (qa) team and implemented qa process lead development of java vm certification solution (tck). "
Analytical skills. Another crucial skill for a software development project manager to carry out their responsibilities is "analytical skills." A big part of what software development project managers relies on this skill, since "developers must analyze users’ needs and then design software to meet those needs." How this skill relates to software development project manager duties can be seen in an example from a software development project manager resume snippet: "created interface with hubspot crm, using api to enable admin and sales to sync data on data inserts and updates. "
Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what a software development project manager does. Software development project manager responsibilities require this skill because "developers must be able to give clear instructions to others working on a project." This resume example highlights how software development project manager duties rely on this skill: "orchestrated the creation and maintenance of the poodle api for communication between mobile applications and wireless speakers. "
The three companies that hire the most software development project managers are:
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Software development project manager vs. Manager applications development
An applications development manager is responsible for keeping businesses running smoothly and effectively through planning, coordinating, and overseeing all activities related to software applications. You will oversee the maintenance, upgrade, and support of existing applications and systems required for the smooth day-to-day operations of the business. Other tasks that you will likely perform include providing estimates for project timeline and cost, overseeing feasibility research on software applications, and diagnosing and troubleshooting program errors. As an applications development manager, you are also responsible for recommending software products and services that will benefit the company.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between software development project managers and manager applications development. For instance, software development project manager responsibilities require skills such as "jira," "project scope," "sql server," and "resource management." Whereas a manager applications development is skilled in "ongoing maintenance," "digital transformation," "development projects," and "team work." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Managers applications development earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $130,492. On the other hand, software development project managers are paid more in the finance industry with an average salary of $125,769.On average, managers applications development reach similar levels of education than software development project managers. Managers applications development are 4.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Software development project manager vs. Project leader
A project leader is responsible for supervising the team and managing the distribution of tasks to ensure the project's success with the highest efficiency and accuracy. Duties of a project leader include motivating the team, managing the team's needs and concerns, providing effective strategies to improve the team's performance, creating reports, monitoring the team's progress, and maintaining the coordination between team members. A project leader should have exceptional leadership skills to handle the team's operation and identify areas of improvement to deliver excellent results.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real software development project manager resumes. While software development project manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "software development," "jira," "web application," and "resource management," project leaders use skills like "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "project plan," and "data warehouse."
Project leaders may earn a lower salary than software development project managers, but project leaders earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $118,370. On the other hand, software development project managers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $125,769.project leaders earn similar levels of education than software development project managers in general. They're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software development project manager vs. Project manager/scrum master
Project Managers or scrum masters are experienced employees who lead an agile team. They are in charge of managing a specific project in terms of the agile model. They lead the team throughout the planning session, the designing of the project parameters, the development of the processes, the implementation of the project, and the evaluation. They represent the team in meetings with stakeholders. They ensure that the working relationship among all the departments involved is harmonious. They also guide their team members throughout the project.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a software development project manager is likely to be skilled in "project management," "scrum," "web application," and "resource management," while a typical project manager/scrum master is skilled in "sprint planning," "scrum meetings," "agile scrum," and "user stories."
Project managers/scrum master make a very good living in the media industry with an average annual salary of $99,469. On the other hand, software development project managers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $125,769.Most project managers/scrum master achieve a higher degree level compared to software development project managers. For example, they're 6.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Software development project manager vs. Software architect
A Software Architect develops new programs for a variety of technological devices for businesses, computer games, mobile networks, and/or operating systems. They ensure architectural integrity and consistency across the entire product and work closely with executives to explain the benefits of the software.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between software development project managers and software architects, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a software development project manager might have more use for skills like "project management," "project scope," "resource management," and "status reports." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of software architects require skills like "cloud," "aws," "design patterns," and "git. "
Software architects enjoy the best pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $119,142. For comparison, software development project managers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.In general, software architects hold higher degree levels compared to software development project managers. Software architects are 6.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of software development project manager
Updated January 8, 2025











