Senior ICT Project Manager Review

I am a senior ICT project manager for Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC). I manage approved projects throughout their lifecycle to implementation. The projects are very varied and can be back office technical ICT projects to put in new infrastructure etc or they can be working closer to front line services e.g. introducing new ICT kit and software for social care staff. I use PRINCE 2 waterfall methodology for most projects, but adapt to using Agile methods, i.e. Scrum and Kanban for any software development projects. Both involve the usual project management responsibilities of planning, stakeholder and resource management, risk and issue management etc

I have learned how to manage projects that lend themselves to using agile approaches, and I have attained the AgilePM foundation qualification through work. I have been able to put this into practice on one project so far. I have developed financial skills through the finance module at university, i.e. interpreting financial statements, investment appraisal and budgeting. I have had limited exposure to this at work, but I have put into practice the skills necessary though completing the module, as well as learning the theory. Furthermore, my writing skills and confidence have developed through writing essays and pursuing the English functional skills exam. In addition the assignment deadlines have developed my time management and organizational skills.

I am enjoying it very much. I am learning the wider context of business management and leadership theory as well as the wider context in relation to my work. This has given me more confidence and motivation. It is a challenge to complete the assignments within some deadlines, especially when there are a number of assignments on the go and I have a heavier workload at work. However, this has helped me develop my time management and organizational skills further and I haven't missed a deadline to date. Despite the challenge on my time, I enjoy researching the modules and planning and writing the essays. Although, I can get to a point when I am impatient to get an essay finished, but I don't allow myself to submit anything substandard.

Overall, it is well organized and structured. I particularly liked the structure and organization of the finance module, once I got to grips with it. It was satisfying to tick off the completion of the modules within it. Things changed when everything went virtual as a result of COVID-19, but I thought university rose to the challenge well. It took me a while to understand how things operate overall, but I think that is just a natural journey you go through, especially if you have not been to university before like me, rather than any lack of organization.

My employer is supportive of my development through this programme and have commented that they are already seeing an improvement in my motivation as a result. They allow me the 20% time at work to do my university work, and are flexible about when I take that time over a month, as long as there is no detriment to my work. My 20% university time is officially recorded in my flexible working hours to ensure my workload doesn't use that up.

The support on offer is very clear and accessible. When I have asked for support from a lecturer via email I do get a timely response and they are keen to help. I have also used the study skills courses before lockdown and I have found these useful. Furthermore, I have used the library services support for any referencing queries I've had, and they have always been keen to help. My university mentor is also keen to support me, offering me the opportunity to email her anytime. Her main support for me is being able to talk to someone who understands completing assignments and all that entails.

The improvement in my writing skills has enabled me to be more confident and write better, more thoughtful reports. My organizational and time management skills have developed further through completing assignments, and I bring this to the workplace through better planning and prioritization. The finance module has inspired me to have more involvement in the investment appraisal stage on my projects, as I understand this a lot better now. I do not get chance to do this often, but I have expressed my interest in utilizing my skills further in relation to this.

I do have an active social life through work, although this is limited to specific work colleagues who I am friends with out of work. During the COVID-19 lockdown I did a work quiz that was put on for staff. This is an area I do need to develop further, as I can be reluctant to network, and I can see the benefits to doing so.

Yes

I would recommend working for NCC as overall they look after their employees well. They offer: Local discounts through other organisations Flexible working - where you work, home, office; part-time, term-time etc; hours in the day/week. They are keen to be fair, equal and diverse. Wellbeing - counselling, coaching etc Pay scales are well structured and staff know what pay to expect, rather than be at the will of a local manager for their pay scale. Their aim is the welfare of the citizens of Nottinghamshire and it is satisfying knowing that you contribute to social good.

Go to Nottinghamshire.gov.uk website to find out more about NCC. It would also be useful to find out how councils work at gov.uk if you have not worked in the public sector or councils before. NCC tends to adopt an evidence based interview process, so thinking beforehand of any experience you've had to demonstrate your abilities would be useful. Use the person specification criteria in the application pack to complete your application form. This is used for the criteria during the short-listing process.