Project Management: To Code or Not to Code?

Recently there have been active and passionate debates about whether web/software project managers should learn to code. When looking at our own internal project management team, we realized that while we are all successful at what we do, we come at it from different angles. Michelle Lauer is a seasoned developer with 10 years of experience before transitioning into project management. Heather Bauer joined the Drupal community after receiving her master's in Human Factors in Information Design to specialize in usability. You may wonder how a previous code monkey and a UX expert can have the same job. The answer is we don't; but our skills complement each other to create a balanced PM team. We will be exploring this topic from both perspectives.

In this presentation, we will explore:

• How a Project Manager's current skills relates to their role on the team
• The needs of your team
• Advantages and disadvantages of knowing code
• Your ambitions within project management

At the end of this presentation, you will know what questions to ask yourself as you evaluate your career as a Project Manager and the skills you should be adding to your toolbelt. This session is designed for all levels.