I’m seeing this a lot and need to call it out.
You are NOT failing as a Project Manager because you lack deep subject matter knowledge of your product or tech.
As long as you have a good understanding of the bones of project management (and the basics of relationship building) you can successfully implement or launch a project regardless of the field you’re in.
Yes, there are different nuances and needs, but the 5 stages of project management still apply — no matter what you’re working on, you still have to Initiate, Plan, Execute, Close, and Monitor.
Everything else can be gathered from the true Subject Matter Experts for your particular solution.
Use your SMEs to be successful. Allow them to be the experts for whatever tech or product you’re implementing.
Just keep good notes, and document what you learn from your SMEs to minimize how much time you spend asking the same questions over and over.
And remember — your subject matter expertise IS Project Management.
It’s literally in our manifesto:
“I feel confident about my personal brand. Either I know what to do, or I pull in the professional who does.
My area of expertise is project management and I am ever-evolving, growing, ebbing, and flowing.”
You ARE an expert.
Stand in that knowledge and truth.
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