This talk is intended to help folks who are managing technical projects avoid common pitfalls, and help technical teams better prepare managers for overall project success.

1. Victoria Guido
Avoiding the Pitfalls of
Non-Technical Managers

2. Introduction
Victoria Guido
Work ● Operations Manager
● Blackstone Federal
Education &
Certs
● MS Information Technology
● BS Economics
● PMP, ITILv3, SAFe
Volunteer ● DevOps DC
● Women Who Code DC
● DC Atlassian User Group
● PMIWDC, VP of Technology
Twitter @victori-ousg

3. ˈteknək(ə)l/ ˈmanijər/
tech·ni·cal man·ag·er

4. (We’ve all been here)

5. Success
It ain’t easy

6. HOW TO AVOID
PITFALLS

7. Unrealistic Promises
Improbable Solutions

8. Pitfall: Lack of Trust
Technical Team
“Not enough time….”
“Super big risk….”
“That doesn’t make sense…”
“This is more complicated than you think…”
FALSE.
Non-technical manager

9. Pitfall: too much trust

11. Foster a Culture of Learning

12. Teach Others

13. Non-technical help
● Business Analyst
● Tester
● Technical Writer
● Governance Expert
● Customer Relationship
Jack of All Trades

14. There’s only 24 hours in a day

15. Know Your Strengths

19. Be good at what
you’re good at
Know a little
about everything

20. fin