I agree with your assertion that PM’s should define themselves by outcomes instead of process. However, the process by which the valued outcome is achieved is generally micro-management. If it weren’t needed then the all-knowing developers could simply figure out their own requirements, run the testing with the users, report on the progress of their coding to the primary stakeholders who are paying their paychecks, negotiate change requests and how that will affect the delivery, order the infrastructure and test systems to test their code on, haggle with the vendors to get the best prices, ride herd on the subcontractors who haven’t delivered on time… oh, I guess perhaps a PM does add some value after all.

I get tired of the prima donna attitude of the developers as well. I didn’t mean for this to turn negative, but as a PM, I have to say that I’ve been on the engineering side. I’ve learned that the colleges are pumping out great developers and with a flooded market, the price of development goes down. Seems like I’ve read that somewhere before. Hmmm.

Without people skills, nothing gets done. The Sales department still rules the organization. I take the advice to heart about being committed to the output instead of the process. When we can get that part right, we’ll all remember that we are part of the same team trying deliver value, grow the organization, and thus secure our paychecks by satisfying the ultimate customers. The PM’s do play a vital role, whether that role is respected or not.