George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
What techniques have you used to:
- Increase knowledge in a domain wherein you are already engaged.
- Gain knowledge in a domain wherein you have no experience.
The question of domain knowledge comes up frequently on PMC. Since this is the time of year where we often set goals, I thought it would be helpful for us to share the techniques we have personally used or witnessed that extend our domain knowledge per the question above. Please do not be generalized or theoretical in your response. Saving Changes...
Luis BrancoCEO| Business Insight, Consultores de Gestão, LdªCarcavelos, Lisboa, Portugal
Dear George Interesting your question Thanks for sharing
I have always been open to new or more information on the same topic.
I was always very curious
When I hear someone talk about a topic I don't know, I try to get more information about it.
I can use various sources of information: people, books, articles and a few years ago to google
I also usually attend training on the specific topic I want to know better or deepen my knowledge
When, in the course of my activity, I come across a new situation, I try to hear other opinions on the best way to solve it and search for information on the subject.
I have some expert friends in some areas that I often use
In the author's opinion (Carol S. Dweck) there are two types of mindset: - Fixed Mindset - Growth Mindset
Openness to the acquisition of new knowledge is directly related to Mindset
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1 reply by George Freeman
Dec 17, 2019 7:46 PM
George Freeman
...
That was well stated Luis, thank you!
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
George, the PMI and the IIBA has published an article I wrote time before. The article is about to create a solution and the steps/tools/techniques I use to understand the domain. Fortunatelly for me that are making this type of things to get feedback the article was cited for others, was included in books and was translate to other languages. Then I use it with some modifications to talk in congress like the PMI World Tour "to defend" my posture that a PM must not be a subject matter expert just must make the job to adquire knowledge to shift from one domain to another without problem.Just in case it can be usefull for somebody here comes: https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-pos...-right-solution
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1 reply by George Freeman
Dec 17, 2019 7:45 PM
George Freeman
...
Hi Sergio, thank you for the link!
I’m in full agreement that a PM should/must not be a subject matter expert. However, I view the “line in the sand” like this, “A PM should/must not perform in the role of a SME.” It’s inevitable that a PM who is Talent Triangle focused and who practices in specific domains, will eventually be viewed as a subject matter expert in those domains over time.
So, as long as a PM does not perform in the role of a SME, we are safe from the accountability issues that could occur if the line was crossed. In my opinion, we should encourage PM’s to seek extended domain knowledge, but also make sure they understand where the line is, in the sand.
Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
George
when I was in a domain for a project, I learned 'on the job', as problem areas came along which triggered me to take a deep dive. Which meant reading a manual, talking to people, get the right skills on Board. I remember one Sunday night after updating a host system, the network would not come up. Backup was not available. I and the client guy (a newbie) sat down, found the network manual and figured it out. The network with 30 locations across Germany was up and running Monday morning. The first and only network I started in my life.
When I was new for a domain, I used for example shadowing, smelling the domain flavor, understanding the few things to know for 95% of the time. For example my project for the ministry of justice. The core team of 5 visited a courtyard for 5 days, talked to people, watched them, asked questions.
In general, my life was from 1988 without deep domain knowledge, I changed domains every 3-4 years from then. I focused on project and program management and tried to work like Sergio, bringing in domain experts, architects and other specialists. For example, I ran SAP rollouts for 6 years without any SAP training. I had good people and the client was satisfied.
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1 reply by George Freeman
Dec 17, 2019 7:56 PM
George Freeman
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Thank you Thomas!
Your statements towards “shadowing” and “smelling the domain” are principles that all PM’s should understand and strive to accomplish. What does an SAP roll-out smell like, especially after doing it for six years? :)
Saving Changes...
Stéphane ParentSelf Employed / Semi-retired| Leader MakerPrince Edward Island, Canada
Like Luis and Thomas, I use a variety of ways to learn but prefer to learn by doing. I use every opportunity to learn or try something new. I also volunteer for activities or jobs in new areas.
...
1 reply by George Freeman
Dec 17, 2019 8:03 PM
George Freeman
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Hi Stephane,
I agree with you, and it’s always been my practice to “learn by doing” as well. My approach, like @Thomas’s, has always been shadow-based, where I sit down at each station and learn that process then move onto the next. There’s no substitute.
For the first, it's usually through mentorship or hands-on experience. For the second, a webinar, a course or some other type of directed learning is usually a good starting point.
Kiron
...
1 reply by George Freeman
Dec 17, 2019 8:07 PM
George Freeman
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Kiron, over the last year and a half, your written wisdom has provided me a form of virtual mentorship – thank you!
Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Dec 17, 2019 12:25 PM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
George, the PMI and the IIBA has published an article I wrote time before. The article is about to create a solution and the steps/tools/techniques I use to understand the domain. Fortunatelly for me that are making this type of things to get feedback the article was cited for others, was included in books and was translate to other languages. Then I use it with some modifications to talk in congress like the PMI World Tour "to defend" my posture that a PM must not be a subject matter expert just must make the job to adquire knowledge to shift from one domain to another without problem.Just in case it can be usefull for somebody here comes: https://www.projectmanagement.com/blog-pos...-right-solution
Hi Sergio, thank you for the link!
I’m in full agreement that a PM should/must not be a subject matter expert. However, I view the “line in the sand” like this, “A PM should/must not perform in the role of a SME.” It’s inevitable that a PM who is Talent Triangle focused and who practices in specific domains, will eventually be viewed as a subject matter expert in those domains over time.
So, as long as a PM does not perform in the role of a SME, we are safe from the accountability issues that could occur if the line was crossed. In my opinion, we should encourage PM’s to seek extended domain knowledge, but also make sure they understand where the line is, in the sand.
...
1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Dec 18, 2019 6:10 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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You are welcome. The Talent Triangle is not about to be a SME. The only domain a PM must be a SME is in project management field. The problem is not the Talent Triangle. The problem is some organizations, thanks God less year to year, are searching for somebody that perform the role of PM plus the role of technical people to perform activities inside the project. That´s is a classic in domains like software field. I am not agains that. I have faced this lot of times including today. But if we want to hierarchising the role then is neede to stablish the line. No matter that, myself and lot of others take the opportunity to work in multiple domains along the years. For me, it has no sense to debate this type of things. PMs live the same when they are assigned to an initiative inside the organization they are working for. Think about it. Are you the SME in the business function the initiative try to automatize, for example? Of course not, perhaps in one opportunity but not in others. Then, is the same. What people forget is one organization has multiple business defined into it then each business is a new domain.
Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Dec 17, 2019 9:10 AM
Replying to Luis Branco
...
Dear George Interesting your question Thanks for sharing
I have always been open to new or more information on the same topic.
I was always very curious
When I hear someone talk about a topic I don't know, I try to get more information about it.
I can use various sources of information: people, books, articles and a few years ago to google
I also usually attend training on the specific topic I want to know better or deepen my knowledge
When, in the course of my activity, I come across a new situation, I try to hear other opinions on the best way to solve it and search for information on the subject.
I have some expert friends in some areas that I often use
In the author's opinion (Carol S. Dweck) there are two types of mindset: - Fixed Mindset - Growth Mindset
Openness to the acquisition of new knowledge is directly related to Mindset
That was well stated Luis, thank you!
...
1 reply by Luis Branco
Dec 21, 2019 9:57 AM
Luis Branco
...
Dear George
Thanks for your feedback
Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Dec 17, 2019 2:03 PM
Replying to Thomas Walenta
...
George
when I was in a domain for a project, I learned 'on the job', as problem areas came along which triggered me to take a deep dive. Which meant reading a manual, talking to people, get the right skills on Board. I remember one Sunday night after updating a host system, the network would not come up. Backup was not available. I and the client guy (a newbie) sat down, found the network manual and figured it out. The network with 30 locations across Germany was up and running Monday morning. The first and only network I started in my life.
When I was new for a domain, I used for example shadowing, smelling the domain flavor, understanding the few things to know for 95% of the time. For example my project for the ministry of justice. The core team of 5 visited a courtyard for 5 days, talked to people, watched them, asked questions.
In general, my life was from 1988 without deep domain knowledge, I changed domains every 3-4 years from then. I focused on project and program management and tried to work like Sergio, bringing in domain experts, architects and other specialists. For example, I ran SAP rollouts for 6 years without any SAP training. I had good people and the client was satisfied.
Thank you Thomas!
Your statements towards “shadowing” and “smelling the domain” are principles that all PM’s should understand and strive to accomplish. What does an SAP roll-out smell like, especially after doing it for six years? :) Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Dec 17, 2019 2:12 PM
Replying to Stéphane Parent
...
Like Luis and Thomas, I use a variety of ways to learn but prefer to learn by doing. I use every opportunity to learn or try something new. I also volunteer for activities or jobs in new areas.
Hi Stephane,
I agree with you, and it’s always been my practice to “learn by doing” as well. My approach, like @Thomas’s, has always been shadow-based, where I sit down at each station and learn that process then move onto the next. There’s no substitute. Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Dec 17, 2019 5:28 PM
Replying to Kiron Bondale
...
George -
For the first, it's usually through mentorship or hands-on experience. For the second, a webinar, a course or some other type of directed learning is usually a good starting point.
Kiron
Kiron, over the last year and a half, your written wisdom has provided me a form of virtual mentorship – thank you!
...
1 reply by Kiron Bondale
Dec 18, 2019 6:21 AM
Kiron Bondale
...
Thank you George - I appreciate the kind feedback!
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
