Why is this even a question? Lower Management *must* understand whatever they are managing in order to be effective. That means if they are managing technology (hardware, software, whatever...), they must understand it to some degree. Otherwise they become a pointy-haired-boss incarnate.
I manage a group of Engineers at a software company and I consider staying current with what they are working on part of my job. Managers who simply create gantt charts and manage budgets and schedules typically have worse results than those who understand the technology. Those managers spend too much time focusing on the wrong things.
At the middle and senior levels, things are different. VP's and CEO's need to rely on managers that report to them to make the right technology decisions.
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Why is this even a question? Lower Management *must* understand whatever they are managing in order to be effective. That means if they are managing technology (hardware, software, whatever...), they must understand it to some degree. Otherwise they become a pointy-haired-boss incarnate. I manage a group of Engineers at a software company and I consider staying current with what they are working on part of my job. Managers who simply create gantt charts and manage budgets and schedules typically have worse results than those who understand the technology. Those managers spend too much time focusing on the wrong things. At the middle and senior levels, things are different. VP's and CEO's need to rely on managers that report to them to make the right technology decisions.