Will a Project Manager for a project which requires development of significant amounts of new code expected to have software development experience? Is software development experience strictly necessary when managing a project which requires the development of significant amounts of new code? Can a PM without significant software development experience expect to be able compete with those who do have experience, when applying for this type of job?

I will address the second question on your description, since I believe the main question is address in another post in this forum.

> Can a PM without significant software development experience expect to be able compete with those who do have experience, when applying for this type of job?

My answer is yes. I think PMing has little to do with development itself. That said, the PM needs to have some kind of general notion on development. That person must understand the basics:

* What compilation means?
* How manage a Configuration Management Plan?
* How to understand metrics?



Now. A great PM goes beyond the development activities. The PM Cares and communicates about the project. A PM with good people skills and great understanding of the PM framework, will go far beyond good PM with technical abilities.

Thanks, Geo