Hi there,
After having been an IT project administrator for a year, I have recently moved into a project management role. I have learnt so much over the last six months, and I still have a lot to learn!!
The one thing I am really working to improve at the moment are my assertiveness and negotiation skills with both my internal project team members and with clients.
A few of my observations that I've noticed so far are:
1. I seem to let my lack of IT knowledge get in the way of asking questions to my internal team members (basically as I don't want to come across as 'looking the fool')!!
2. I am only the young age of 23 and so I think I feel it dififcult to negotiate with 'my elders'!! and having to manage my internal team members who are all older than I am.
3. In today's working world, we seem to use email a huge part of our communications/day to day project management. Obviously email communication trails are very useful; however, I find it hard to call my clients to talk about budgets, project delays and of course change requests for out of scope requirements...
It would be great to hear from anyone who has overcome any of the above or who feel they can offer my some advise!
Look forward to hearing from fellow Ganttheaders! :-)
Good luck, don't assume that all persons will laugh at you, some of the most helpful employees are new ones and they tend to be more receptive to questions you may ask. Do some research yourself on the project at hand and pose questions like "correct me if i am wrong but shouldn't it be this way instead of that" or "tell me why would we be using this or doing it this way? (per your research).
Even the person with IT knowledge sometimes gets to something they don't understand and has to do research. IT is all about learning. Again maintain that level of confidence when presenting your views and project status. Create a relationship with the senior IT person who is able to manage the IT employees - most of all do you project planning well obtain results, show productivity and you will gain respect and responsiveness. Saving Changes...
Lucy, You received great advice from many folks who have been there and done that. I wish I had that I was a sage an adviser. My lame suggestion is to read Herb Cohen's books on Negotiation. His insights and experiences with the US Government, the UN and corporations, has valuable lessons for everyone who needs to negotiate anything, including buying a car, house, or getting that vendor to do their job.
