A systems implementation manager is responsible for making sure a project is implemented correctly, has all the important components in place, and the operation runs smoothly on a regular basis.

Because there are such a wide variety of systems in place in a typical business, it is difficult to predict the type of project you’ll be involved in. The implementation may be done in a few small steps or a variety of steps over a long period of time. Someone who wants to serve as a systems implementation manager in a business or company needs to be highly organized, specialized in the field in which he is working, and able to multi-task.

Requirements/Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in business management, information technology, or other field related to the projects are required. There may be better opportunities for those who obtain the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification. Technology management experience is also a high benefit, since so many projects and systems nowadays include the implementation of information technology.

Typical Education

The role of Systems Implementation Manager requires a four-year degree in Project or Systems Management, Business Administration, or a similar field, as a minimum and experience in both IT and real-world applications to engineering and other skills.

The best majors for an inspiring systems implementation manager is either Engineering, Business Management, or IT systems, depending upon the environment in which you wish to work. Some systems have more to do with other fields, such as health care implementation or business of another kind. In these cases, you will need to get the required coursework or certifications to do these jobs.

An Alternate Route

You need a four-year degree to do this job, but you may work in some capacity with only some coursework in this field and some experience with either Information Technology or structural engineering, health care, or other field in which some projects may be based.

Steps to Becoming a Systems Implementation Manager

A systems implementation manager is someone who knows how to maintain and run systems within a business or organizational setting. He knows how to implement new things, and also knows his field and how to apply it. He must be skilled in many areas, because anything could go wrong somewhere along the way in the process of building and implementing systems. It is important to note also that some systems are more technology-oriented, while others are more oriented into the physical world and are more related to engineering or other systems. This should be kept in mind when planning your career and school curriculum. If you think you would be interested in this career track, here are some steps you could take to get started:

1) Get a four-year (Bachelor’s degree) in Systems Management, Project Management or Business. This is the basis for this career. As mentioned before, you do not necessarily know what type of project you will be involved in. You may also be involved in several different ones over the course of your career. For this reason, it is good to specialize and focus on Project Implementation and management, but you should also take a wide range of other coursework so you will have a broad background in systems implementation.

2) Gain experience in project or systems implementation. Any work you can do related to systems implementation would help build a foundation to do this job. A systems implementation manager is highly skilled in many areas, so the more experience you can get in different areas, the more it would help you prepare.

3) Learn how upper management likes systems to work. If you are already working for a company and would like to be an implementation manager, it helps to know what upper management expects in terms of how it will be carried out over the long term and how various aspects will work.

4) Work on organization skills. A systems implementation manager is highly organized, knows how to coordinate different tasks, and how to motivate the people involved to do a good job in working together to achieve a goal. And all of this must be done without disrupting the normal operations of a business. Even if a project or system is critical to the operation, it is essential that the other normal operations continue to run smoothly despite the project’s demands.

5) Work on interpersonal skills. It is important to be able to work effectively with people, as well as implementing new projects, products, or services. Also, because you will often be interjecting new ideas or products which may affect the workers directly, you must know how to deal with this in a positive manner and make the experience one that everyone buys into.

There are many skills involved in becoming a systems implementation manager. Organization, communications ability, and business sense are all important in doing the job successfully. A degree and optional certification as a project or systems implementation manager is strongly recommended. The more experience you get in making things work correctly, like a finely oiled machine, the better you will be in this career. It all starts with a business or project management related degree from a school of your choice. That sets the groundwork for everything else. So why not enroll today and get started on your career?