COO: A Position PMs Are Well-Suited For
From the Voices on Project Management Blog
by Cameron McGaughy,
Lynda Bourne, Kevin Korterud, Peter Tarhanidis, Conrado Morlan, Jen Skrabak, Mario Trentim, Christian Bisson, Yasmina Khelifi, Sree Rao, Soma Bhattacharya, Emily Luijbregts, David Wakeman, Ramiro Rodrigues, Wanda Curlee, Lenka Pincot, cyndee miller, Jorge Martin Valdes Garciatorres, Marat Oyvetsky
Voices on Project Management offers insights, tips, advice and personal stories from project managers in different regions and industries. The goal is to get you thinking, and spark a discussion. So, if you read something that you agree with--or even disagree with--leave a comment.
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By Wanda Curlee
Do you ever wonder where project management could take you? Believe it or not, being a project manager is excellent preparation for becoming a chief operating officer (COO).
After serving in the U.S. Navy on active duty for more than five years, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I stumbled into a project management role. I am lucky I did, because it prepared me for many different business roles. I am now on my journey from project manager to COO. The road is not simple, and there have been setbacks, but the goal remains close at hand.
To see how project management can help prepare you for a COO role, take a look at this job description. OK, finished reading? Let’s break down the large parts of the description and how they relate to project management.
Lots of similarities
A COO has “overall strategic and operational responsibility.” As a project manager, you drive the project toward the end goal and keep it on track. But you also drive the strategy of the project and oversee its operational aspects. Granted, you are not doing these tasks at the executive level, but you are the COO for the project.
The COO also develops, implements and manages the operational aspects of the annual budget. As a project manager you do all of this—at a project level.
And depending on the size of the project, you may be managing a budget that is far greater than an organization’s. Think about construction of an oil rig, building a high rise, outsourcing an IT department—all of these projects could have a budget larger than an entire company.
Chief operating officers also have to know management operations. Fortunately, this is what you do day in and day out as a project manager. A COO just does operations on a larger scale. But with practice, understanding, and leading larger projects and programs, you will excel at the same skills required to be an effective COO.
Although the job description may not spell it out, many of the soft skills you’ve honed in project management—networking, communicating, leadership, mentorship/coaching and learning from failure—are also required to be a successful COO.
In addition, tangible skills like planning a budget, implementing training, overseeing the project budget and reporting to leadership will serve you well in the C-suite.
A little help from your mentors
As you prepare for a COO role, I’d also recommend finding mentors. Mentors were necessary for my advancement. I suggest finding three of them: one in your chain of command, the second in your organization but outside the chain of command, and the third outside of your organization.
Choose your mentors carefully. Mentors—especially those outside the chain of command and the company—can help you stretch your limits. A mentor can provide suggestions on how to handle difficult situations.
He or she can also provide insight into politics within the organization or how to handle a political situation. Finally, a mentor can provide advice on the next project or program to tackle to put you on the track to becoming a COO.
Posted
by
Wanda Curlee
on: February 24, 2015 05:11 PM |
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Comments (7)
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Abu Bakar Usman
An Independent Certified Coach, Teacher and Speaker| John Maxwell Team
Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Its an excellent thought. Well i also agree with the logic that Project manager is preparing us for COO post. The complexities faced by Project Manager to deliver the product and service makes him mentally agile and strengthen his capabilities to give right decision at right time. The pressure which a project Manager takes to balance between triple constraints makes him perfect with the passage of time for COO post. Lastly the strategic alignment of projects and raising voice for own projects to gain constant support from the Sponsors is essential Job of COO in any of the organisations. To me Project Manager tasks is Internal where as COO is working on external issues of same quantum and magnitude.
Patti Gilchrist
Product Manager| UnitedHealth Group
Bluffton, Sc, United States
Excellent post that reinforces the value of PMs!
Wanda Curlee
Dr. Wanda Curlee| PMI
Ferguson, NC, United States
Irfan - Thank you for your insight. A project manager must take the steps to lead large projects and taking on some business roles to help on a path for a COO position.
Dave Garrett
PMI Team Member
Senior Advisor to the CEO| PMI
Sterling, Va, United States
You mention soft skills here as well Wanda - I think that having to "lead without authority", as a project manager is often required to do, really helps you develop those soft skills. Influence is always something that is better when it's earned.
Wanda Curlee
Dr. Wanda Curlee| PMI
Ferguson, NC, United States
Hello Dave - Thank you for the comment. Definitely, soft skills is what differentiates a good project manager from a great project manager. Those that earn respect without authority will succeed!
Michael Adams
Solutions Architect| LANL
Los Alamos, Nm, United States
I had never considered a move to COO from a position as PM, but I really appreciate your analysis and the case you make. Excellent work!
As and IT PM, I've often looked for the best path from PM to CIO. As a PM, I have been developing the requesite leadership skills, referenced by Dave, also a PM has to manage budgets, finances, and cross-functional teams. I've gained experience with acquisitions, HR Management, and strategic thinking.
I've often thought a natural progression would be PM to program manager, to executive leadership, but what you lay-out Wanda makes perfect sense, and ought to be included as an option for career development as well.
Options are good when building a career!
Thanks for a thought provoking article!
Wanda Curlee
Dr. Wanda Curlee| PMI
Ferguson, NC, United States
Michael - You are most welcome. Any of the traditional CxO positions are within the reach of a PM with the right opportunities and mentoring. Sounds like you are on your way to making it to the top.
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