When selecting an interim IT project manager, you should first look for proven experience with comparable project types—such as ERP or CRM implementations, infrastructure and cloud projects, or application consolidations—as well as a clear track record in terms of deadlines, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Equally important are methodological strength and governance expertise: A compelling interim IT project manager can provide you with concrete examples of project plans, risk registers, testing and cutover strategies, reporting setups, and steering mechanisms that they have developed in previous assignments.
Also look for strong communication skills, the ability to handle conflict, and the capacity to integrate into existing teams; early warning signs include evasive answers to critical project situations, a lack of structure in their approach, or the desire to simply “get started” without a proper setup.