Does a Good Engineer Make a Good Project Manager?
By George N. Andrew Many at NASA believe the myth that good engineers make good project managers. My twenty-eight years of experience in engineering and management have taught me that engineers are often poorly equipped to manage projects, but it isn’t always their fault. Good engineers know a lot. They know how and when to multitask; they can focus on details as well as the big picture; they interpret requirements and make good judgments about which are necessary and which are merely desirable; they make educated decisions about risk; they are team players and listen to others’ opinions; they brainstorm, whittle down to viable options, and make decisions; they empower, mentor, and teach others; and they take and give constructive criticism. Many of these qualities are also essential for being a good project manager. So why don’t all good engineers become good managers?
