What project managers actually do, a day in the life of a PM, keys to success and how to know if it’s for you – this is what it’s like being a project manager in SA.

What does it really mean to be a project manager in tech today?

It’s not about clicking through task boards or juggling emails.

At Kohde, it’s about building clarity from chaos. You become a strategist, a translator, a client champion and a sprint wrangler — often all before lunch.

“We don’t just manage the complexity of tech builds,” says Gisela Tiedt, Kohde’s Competency Lead of Project Management, “we engineer order.”

So we asked her to give us a taste of what exactly it’s like to work as a project manager in tech today…

What Does a Project Manager Actually Do?

If you’ve ever looked at a new app or any tech product and thought: I wish I were there when they built this so I could help them make this thing actually useful, you might be a PM in the making.

At Kohde, project managers ensure that everything is built correctly, according to plan, on time, and within budget, while leading the entire team to deliver a successful project. And how do they do that?

Well, Kohde’s clients are normally tech or tech-enabled companies that want to build a new product that’s going to drive their business forward. And it’s Gisela’s job to embed herself in the client’s business to fully understand what exactly that new tech must do. 

Then, she translates that into a structured plan and sets project timelines and outcomes, and then makes sure everyone follows the plan, effectively orchestrating the entire project.

“As PMs, we lead the team; brainstorming solutions with developers, designers and analysts to make sure we build the most impactful technology solutions,” Gisela says. 

But, importantly, the PM also acts as “the client’s voice” whenever the client isn’t in the room – and vice versa. So she’s the important link between all the major stakeholders in any new tech project. 

Project Managers Thrive on Variety

When you’re at a tech agency setup like Kohde, you get to work in loads of different industries. One week, you're working with a fintech startup. Next, a cold-chain logistics platform. After that, an agri-tech client with legacy systems and satellite integrations.

That’s not an edge case — it’s the job.

“We become experts in industries we technically don’t even work in,” Gisela explains. “Each project demands rapid context-switching. Our clients have years of experience in their sector — we get a few days to master them, too.”

The ability to grasp a business model, its technical limitations and user needs really fast is what separates a good PM from a great one.

“I love the variety. The chaos. The ‘aha’ moments when things finally click.”

What a Typical Day Looks Like for a Project Manager

There’s rhythm, but no rinse-repeat. Here’s a high-level flow:

• Morning stand-ups with the dev team
• Clarification sessions with analysts and clients
• Unblocking issues and tracking timelines
• Managing expectations, especially when the scope shifts
• Reviewing budget burn
• Sprint planning every two weeks
• Demo reviews and post-sprint feedback
• Managing the support desk
  

And sometimes, yes — a pep talk or two. But it stays exhilarating.

“The pace is fast,” says Gisela, “but if you build great processes, it’s one of the most exciting jobs you can do.”

The Hardest Part of Project Management

Not every decision works out. Sometimes you pick a course of action and only later learn that it’s not going to work out the way you hoped. And, because you have so many people following your plan, it creates a ripple that affects everyone – your team, the client and the timeline.

“I’ve learnt that when that happens, it’s best to just be transparent, even when it’s uncomfortable,” Gisela says, “Ask for help. That’s how you rebuild trust and course-correct.”

You can show that, at the time, the information you had available is what drove your decisions. But the best thing is to just accept that when plans change, it’s a sign that you’re keeping up with evolving realities. 

In Gisela’s view, how and when you respond is more important for project success and the client relationship than what you planned.

Is Project Management Right for You?

Organised thinkers, extroverts (according to Gisela) and those who embrace change are likely to thrive as project managers.

When asked who might not enjoy this role, she laughs and says, “developers.”

Because project management is a different kind of challenge — it’s less about coding or deep technical problem-solving and more about constant communication, coordination and adapting plans on the fly.

Want to Become a Project Manager?

If you’re curious about project management — even if you’ve never done it before — take a closer look. The role isn’t about barking orders or pushing buttons. It’s about people, patterns and progress.

And as Gisela shows, it’s also about real leadership.

Gisela’s advice? “Stop hesitating — just hit apply. You’ll sharpen your skills, boost your confidence and lead meaningful work.”

Ready to take the first step?

Visit Kohde careers to see current roles, and start your own journey as a tech project manager in South Africa.