As technology evolves and people make increasing use computers and other electronic devices on the job, some companies are choosing to bring an interface project manager on board. Essentially, these individuals work to improve the usability of electronic devices that contribute to the overall efficiency of a company. To be successful at this job, it typically requires a person with an understanding of technology, computer skills and the ability to communicate well with others. While the types of projects that an interface project manager works on can vary, common job duties include determining program usability, identifying problems, developing an improvement plan, executing that plan and analyzing results.
One of the biggest aims of an interface project manager is to determine the usability of particular software applications. For example, a company might hire him to figure out which parts of a program are easy to use and which ones aren't. Some areas he might look at include layout efficiency, aesthetics and navigability. To judge these factors, he may use employee feedback through surveys or may experiment with using the program himself.
As he gains an understanding of a program's usability, it's up to an interface project manager to identify any problem areas. To find these, he might look for patterns from employee feedback or a company might specifically mention which areas need improvement. Having a clear idea of which areas are lacking is vital to a project's success.
Once problem areas have been identified, an individual in this role must develop realistic improvement plans. When improving a software program, an interface project manager might need to create a simpler layout that allows quicker navigation for employees. In some cases, improvement plans may be minimal and can be completed in a matter of days. For more complex plans, it could take considerably longer and involve a complete makeover.
After he has developed a plan, an interface project manager must take the necessary steps to execute that plan. For some projects, he may handle the bulk of this work himself. Other projects may require him to integrate a team of professionals, like programmers or web designers, to help. If he chooses the latter option, he will be required to supervise his team to ensure that all tasks are completed correctly and on time.
To be successful and prevent future mistakes, it's also important for an interface project manager to analyze the results from each project. Generally, this involves comparing feedback from before and after a project's completion. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each assignment should help an interface project manager prevent future mistakes.
