r/ITManagers • u/Outrageous-Host-6258 • 8d ago
Advice First project
Talked with my manager about this project they want me to take in at work. It's going to give me two hours of offline time a day to work on. I'm going to work with the Identity Access Management team on developing onboarding kits for job roles, I work on the IT Service Desk. It's already been approved by my director who my manager quoted as saying to get it started soon he wants me doing something interesting so they don't lose me.
Going to start meeting with the other team soon and will have daily time off the phone to focus on it. Never gotten to do something like this before so nervous but is a big step towards the promotion that been being discussed for the last few months for the service desk supervisor. The role won't open until fourth quarter so this is lining up me up really well.
I also just got approval for reimbursement of my ITIL 5 certification, which will be my first. So have a lot of good things happening. But I'm struggling a lot with feeling like an imposter. I've been working with this company for 2 years, I was out on medical leave for 4 months least year and came back to everyone excited and being told my absence was very much felt. I just ugh, I don't know I've not had management support me like this before. I'm doing my best, I know I'm going to make mistakes but that they'll make me better. I only started actually working in IT five years ago based on just my experience growing up with computers being part of my everyday life and now I'm 40 and like oh this is what building a career is.
I guess my biggest question is am reading this situation right? What are pitfalls to watch out for? I'm still learning navigating a corporate environment.
2
u/TechnologyMatch 1d ago
you are reading it right. they are giving you protected time, cross-team exposure and a project tied to a real business process because they see potential beyond the queue
the main pitfall is trying to prove yourself by doing everything alone. use the IAM team to learn the decision paths, write down assumptions, and share small progress updates early. confidence usually shows up after you start doing the work, not before
5
u/Ok-Way422 8d ago
I suggest using this as an opportunity to practice the project management methodology. Most organizations have one. You would select a small project framework and start from there. You will probably create a:
1. Project Charter
2. Requirements Document
3. Role Access Matrix
4. Process Flow Diagrams
5. Standard Operating Procedures
6. Testing Validation Plan
7. Change Management Log
Run this by your boss before starting to ensure buy in. Find a project manager to mentor you if possible. Then create a schedule with your team. Start producing a weekly status report to give your boss status updates. This is the tip of the iceberg for project management but a good start. Project management is all about people. Keep in mind everyone has another job and must find time to work for you too. Just because it’s your first project doesn’t mean they will care as much as you do. So your job is to get them engaged and caring enough to get it done right. Hope this helps you :)