Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
I am looking into getting in the field of construction Project Management, but I do not have any construction experience. What I have is the standard project management knowledge, skills and methodologies which is application to any project. I am just limited in the in the industry experience such as Construction. I would like to know how can I get my foot in the door, what do I have to know initially or skills I have I need, what beginner certifications I have to obtain to get started and work in the field as a construction project manager? Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
When I lead my first project on construction my experience was software/IT. The construction project I lead got a PMI award on the innovation field. No matter the domain you have to make a mostly forgotten activity: elicitation. CMU SEI has a process for that or you can find more information inside the business analysis field for example if you read about "needs assessment" activity. I wrote an article time before that was published by the PMI but in essence you can take Zachman Framework as a checklist and you have to complete row 1 of the framework to get knowledge about the domain you have been assigned (construction in your case) Saving Changes...
Rami or one of the other frequent contributors to this forum who come from a construction PM space can provide you with some specific guidance, but the one caution I'd provide is that you may run into stakeholders who will push back on your ability to manage such a project if you don't come from a relevant engineering background (e.g. civil, structural).
Kiron Saving Changes...
Henry HattenrathProject Consultant| Tectonic Engineering MSA LLCNew York, Ny, United States
Esmeal
It appears you are working with a lighting firm, which may provide the first opportunity to gain relevant experience related to the construction domain. If you can be convincing on an interview with a construction contractor, construction management firm or an owner’s project management group, the best opportunities are positions that will allow you to learn construction. They may include Office Coordinator, Administrative Officer, Project Coordinator, Document Manager, and Assistant Inspector. Each of these positions is entry level and the ideal candidates will have strong organization and communication skills.
Your competition may include candidates without 4 year college degrees nor PMI certification, and they may have practical experience working in the construction industry starting as laborers and helpers with electrical, mechanical, civil and structure contractors.
Henry Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Henry, you are right, working in a lighting design firm gives me the opportunity to learn a little about construction. Except for the fact that, I only manage the activities which involve the production of the lighting fixtures. Constantly when I am faced with the technical issues, I usually get the engineers or subject matter experts to involve because they have the technical know how to solve the problems as they come. My mean focus is usually on managing the time, resources and cost-effectiveness and coordinating tasks that are relevant to obtaining the results. It is my hope that the organization I work for can provide some technical training to PMs to help enhance our skills and have some idea about construction.
Thank you! Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Kiron,
When I decided to do project management, I developed an idea that it could be fit into all industry which is true, but at the end of the day, the project manager must also have a knowledge or an idea of how the industry operates, so when faced with issues, finding solutions can be easier. This is my issue, I have a Master in project management and also a certified associate in project management, but still feel I have not done anything yet. Most of my applicable skills are computer skills, which give me the advantage to work in the IT field. But now of days, organizations also call for advanced computer skills such as developing, coding and writing scripts, which I am still developing. Will keep pushing. Thank you for your insight Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Sergio,
I know it felt good when your first construction project was recognized by the PMI for innovation. The construction domain is a very interesting field in project management. I hope to learn and gain skills in this domain so I can be a better project manager. I will research the Zachman framework and lessons on need assessment activities as you recommended. Thank you very much! Saving Changes...
Elaine DiMasiProject Manager specializing in High Tech Instrumentation| Lawrence Berkeley National LaboratoryOakland, Ca, United States
I'm glad to see this discussion. At a National Lab I worked 'adjacent' to construction in the physical sense since our facilities had a conventional construction component. But it did not give me any experience in estimations for commercial construction. When I see posting for construction project management I generally assume they're looking for experience in estimating - the "elicitation" mentioned above - and familiarity with regulations and codes. I appreciate Henry's post naming some entry level positions to enter that arena! Saving Changes...
Ganesh KumarProgram ManagerBangalore., Karnataka, India
Hi Esmeal,
It’s going to be difficult to make the transition, but not impossible. You can consider working for companies, where you can trade compensation for experience. This way you can gain a foothold. However, much you know Project Management, and however similar it could be, hiring managers/companies are always biased and expect people from the related industry so that people can deliver from day 1, and that they don’t have to train/coach or guide.
Read about the industry/companies, their latest work, trends that are being followed. Read some JD of companies, think about how you could do the work, if you are given an opportunity. Additionally if you were to apply to any of the positions, write a short note accordingly. If you are able to convince people in the interview you can work independently, by drawing similarities related to the industry and your work, half of your battle is won. All the best!.
...
1 reply by Esmeal Sheriff
Dec 17, 2018 2:24 PM
Esmeal Sheriff
...
Hi Ganesh,
Thanks for you insight. It's is really difficult to make that transition because as you mention companies or their hiring managers are bias in their selection of candidates when it comes to construction project management. And also would agree that they do not want to allocate resources towards training so they expect candidates to come in with the full set skills needed for the the practical aspects of the job.
However, I have worked with other experts who are very excellent in applying their practical expertise, but do not have the project management skills or knowledge to apply or to work parallel to their (in this case construction) project activities. For obvious reason, this is where I believe a project manager comes in to manage the risk, time, cost, resource, define and control scope, communication, information systems, reporting, documentation, etc etc. These are also important aspects of the project that most likely can only be manage by a PM in collaboration with the SME. But, it understandable that companies would still require a candidate to have experience and knowledge of the domain (in this case construction) to accept you in. And this is why I'm asking this question...lol!
I definitely need to do more research, read more on the industry activities and trends to familiarize myself with what is going on in construction.
Thank you very much!
Saving Changes...
RAJESH K LProject Manager, PMP| Bharat Electronics, Bengaluru, IndiaBengaluru, Karnataka, India
Agree with Sergio Saving Changes...
Esmeal SheriffOwner/Sr. Principal Consultant| Execultant Consultancy L.L.C.Minneapolis, Mn, United States
Dec 17, 2018 3:11 AM
Replying to Ganesh Kumar
...
Hi Esmeal,
It’s going to be difficult to make the transition, but not impossible. You can consider working for companies, where you can trade compensation for experience. This way you can gain a foothold. However, much you know Project Management, and however similar it could be, hiring managers/companies are always biased and expect people from the related industry so that people can deliver from day 1, and that they don’t have to train/coach or guide.
Read about the industry/companies, their latest work, trends that are being followed. Read some JD of companies, think about how you could do the work, if you are given an opportunity. Additionally if you were to apply to any of the positions, write a short note accordingly. If you are able to convince people in the interview you can work independently, by drawing similarities related to the industry and your work, half of your battle is won. All the best!.
Hi Ganesh,
Thanks for you insight. It's is really difficult to make that transition because as you mention companies or their hiring managers are bias in their selection of candidates when it comes to construction project management. And also would agree that they do not want to allocate resources towards training so they expect candidates to come in with the full set skills needed for the the practical aspects of the job.
However, I have worked with other experts who are very excellent in applying their practical expertise, but do not have the project management skills or knowledge to apply or to work parallel to their (in this case construction) project activities. For obvious reason, this is where I believe a project manager comes in to manage the risk, time, cost, resource, define and control scope, communication, information systems, reporting, documentation, etc etc. These are also important aspects of the project that most likely can only be manage by a PM in collaboration with the SME. But, it understandable that companies would still require a candidate to have experience and knowledge of the domain (in this case construction) to accept you in. And this is why I'm asking this question...lol!
I definitely need to do more research, read more on the industry activities and trends to familiarize myself with what is going on in construction.
