Is it appropriate for a non IS trained manager to direct the information systems function?
Is it appropriate and/or advisable for a non-information systems-trained manager to direct the information systems function?
Yes – Management of an IT department is often handled by a non-technical manager. Almost all of my managers have been non-technical. However they have all been excellent managers of people and planners of projects.
On the other side of the coin I know of some highly technical people that are really poor managers and don’t work with people well.
Good management is a different skill set. Yes, there are technical people that can do both but I have not seen it very often. I know, for myself, that I am not a good manager and would never aspire to handle that position.
Yes – Management of an IT department is often handled by a non-technical manager. Almost all of my managers have been non-technical. However they have all been excellent managers of people and planners of projects.
On the other side of the coin I know of some highly technical people that are really poor managers and don’t work with people well.
Good management is a different skill set. Yes, there are technical people that can do both but I have not seen it very often. I know, for myself, that I am not a good manager and would never aspire to handle that position.
References :
12 years IT senior systems engineer in aerospace, IT magazine author and editor