I am new here and relatively new in the project manager role (about 3 months). I have got my first experiences, but stepped into this area without greater knowledge, certification, and want to enhance my knowledge. My biggest issues are good requirements documentation, and issues like open issue list and other project documentation, and enhancing my basic knowledge about project management. Can you give me some hints how to do that best?
I would be very thankful for every hint.
Best regards,
Andrea Saving Changes...
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Anonymous
Hi,
I would like to enhance something to my previous posting. I am at the moment trying to grow into the transition into a project manager parallel to my other work, what's not easy. Can someone of you give me some hints how much experience I need until I can maybe change the position, and, if I have normally the possibility to do that in the own department, or if I have to change the company after that? It seems as if my boss is blockade me in some way because he wants to have me as technical professional, although I am good and successful in my first projects, and that's the job which is motivating me, I would like to have. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
To Andrea, the key to all you ask and wish to accomplish besides experience is training, training and more training! Did I mention training? Barry Saving Changes...
Andy JordanProject Manager| SG Gaming - Scientific GamesManchester, United Kingdom
Moving companies would be very difficult if you wanted to move into a PM position without experience. If your current value is at the technical level then I would assume someone else is doing the project management work or as a liaison with the client. Therefore, why not pitch a request for you to do both more PM while performing the technical role? The only downside to this is an increased schedule to cater for your time in both roles. This could be seen as a short term impact to the company to benefit them and yourself in the long term. They develop you while keeping your technical knowledge within their firm. The short term loss for the firm, if they didn't accomodate your ideas, could possibly loose you altogether and they would have none of your technical knowledge available. You could also indicate you'll do some of the project management tasks in your own time after work - a free resource! I'm sure there are reports to compile , issue and risk logs to check, etc
It would also be advisable to ensure you have someone you can mentor in the technical role to back-fill when/if you head further and further into project management.
All the best. Saving Changes...
Andy JordanProject Manager| SG Gaming - Scientific GamesManchester, United Kingdom
My experience, unlike Barry's comment, is training is not always available, so you'll need to put alot of effort in yourself, outside of work. Short Term effort for Long Term gain :-) Saving Changes...
To those who currently hold another job i.e. Technical position other than project management.
Get your company to support your aspirations by providing the right training for you. Speak with other Project Managers, enlist their help, get yourself a mentor.
If the company is not supportive, then help yourself, decide which certification you may want; get materials, manuals, read case studies, learn the process and so on.. the theory is just as imprtant as the practical side of things. Practice is your own time.. become the best, try and get certification it will open up opportunities with other companies that are willing to take you on grow into Project Management.. Saving Changes...
Elyse NielsenSenior Project Manager| Ascension Health Information ServicesHaines City, Fl, United States
Hi,
It sounds to be like you have two key issues. First is to display to the organization the value of project management, the second is to develop your skills. I'd recommend a pointed approach instead of a broad one. Take a look at your current technical projects and discern the greatest pain point. After this is identified, research which pieces and parts of the project management way of thinking would help to alleviate these pain points. Develop an approach to include the solutions in your work, highlighting the value this brings to the organization. While you are identifying and researching, find an individual who can mentor you. Hopefully this person will be within the organization, but you can also check out colleagues in local pmi chapters.
Looking forward to hearing your success in the future!
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
Hi
Could you get a mentor? You can learn a lot from reading blogs online and surfing sites like Gantthead, but talking to a real, live person about your challenges would also be beneficial. Is there a senior project manager in your company or in a similar industry that you could pair up with?
Personally I have found the experience of being a mentee and a mentor very rewarding. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Hi,
Thank you so much for your lots of answers and sorry for my late feedback. I have had some set backs in my job, which lead to the fact that I needed a timeout and felt hurted and don't want to talk with someone ...
Yes, I have a mentor with lots of experiences which is great. Unfortunately, the mentor doesn't have lots of time, so that the time for sharing is very limited and I am the most time completely on my own, but I think that's normal in some way. So the most time I have to search for answers in blogs, websites, books, but I have the possibility to sometimes share it with a persona directly, which is great.
Best regards,
Andrea Saving Changes...
supriya chopraOwner| AnalystSchoolPalatine, Il, United States
I think you should formally go through one life cylce before you officially chnage the title or ask your company to change the title.
On a side start preparing for a PMP certification that is an industry standard.
I teach PMP course.Contact me if necessary for any advice
[email protected] Saving Changes...
