Application development managers are software development professionals who assist in the design and implementation of software programs. These computer science professionals normally work for software development firms, where they actually design software that is sold to clients. They might also work in information technology (IT) departments, where they help businesses to choose, implement, and optimize software applications that might be necessary for retrieving, storing, and sharing information.
To become an application development manager, it almost always is essential to have an undergraduate degree in a field related to computer science. In many cases, application development managers also have graduate degrees in related fields. An individual who wants to become an application development manager should be able to communicate clearly in a professional manner, perform basic management and leadership skills, and be familiar with all stages of application development, including processes regarding design, implementation, and testing.
A person who wants to become an application development manager should earn his or her undergraduate degree in computer science then begin getting real world professional experience as soon as possible. Having a firsthand understanding of the processes that go into application development is essential for any person with aspirations to become an application development manager. In many cases, it is possible to get this experience while studying in a college program either as an entry level assistant or as an intern. If you feel that you can benefit from earning a master's or doctorate degree, this might be a move you make after having developed a little real world experience, especially since this experience can help you to get accepted into a good graduate program.
Once a person who wants to become an application development manager begins his or her career, it is essential that he or she finds opportunities to get as much varied experience as possible. For many people, this means sometimes applying for lateral moves from one department to another. An individual might begin as an assistant to a lead software engineer, for example, then move into a position where he or she can concentrate on testing for quality.
An individual who wants to become an application development manager also should have experience or training in management. While leadership is an important aspect of management, a person in this position also must be an excellent planner and know how to effectively delegate tasks. Application development managers often must be able to create realistic budgets for software development and think about long term release and optimization concerns.
