What are your Professional Development plans for 2024?

Hi everyone,

Regarding my plans for 2024
1) Start a new PM Job
2) Be a PM Volunteer
3) Continue improving my english skills
4) Become a PMI-ACP
5) Attend a few conferences (in-person and virtual)
6) Improve my soft skills
7) Sharing knowledge and experience throught networking

BR,

Diego

Once my term with my local PMI chapter is up, at the end of June, I intend to focus on content creation. I haven't decided exactly what that means, yet, regarding the format of the content, but if all goes well 2025 could bring some interesting changes.

I have the opportunity this year to lead some advanced technology projects, so I'm focusing my development efforts on learning the enabling technologies to manage those projects.

Last year I was trying to read one professional oriented book a month but that started to lose traction when things got busy so this year I'm changing that to maintain the focus on learning rather than counting books.

This year's development areas include:
- Coding skills to better gather data and perform analytics.
- Exploring the Office suite to learn advanced capabilities and integrating the information between programs.
- Improving my statistics skills for analytics
- Exploring other tools for team collaboration and PM specific functions including AI.
- Learning about wireless technologies to facilitate some Lean improvements.
- Refining my resume to better align with high-demand skills in managing technology projects

It sounds like a lot, but those directly affect my current work so it's part of my day job rather than a side gig.br type="_moz"

Keith, this is a great list of things you are targeting to accomplish. What type of projects do you currently manage?

Rami, I'm currently focused on identifying and resolving quality and flow issues at the end of a large scale manufacturing production system near the point of delivery.

I use a data focused approach to identify the most disruptive chronic problems, identify root causes, and implement solutions. Issues span parts, planning, people, and tools so the projects can range from design changes, to employee training, and implementing modern technology into a factory setting.

Most people don't understand data analytics and many problems are very non-intuitive. A big part is is telling the story in a way where the process is understandable to non-engineering types, and then implementing critical changes where that part of the value stream didn't think they had a problem.

In a lot of ways, it's the low tech equivalent of AI. I need to access the data sources, search for patterns, and then convince people that my analysis is valid and not just a parlor trick in order to get the right stakeholders on-board with the plan.br type="_moz"

Hi Rami,

I’ve come to realize that in order “to have a professional development plan,” one must first manage their “life plan” as it relates to well-being and physical health. Although that seems obvious when stated, we often operate with little concern for that fact.

I know that it wasn’t on my mind when I had a STEMI (complete blockage) heart attack a couple of months ago that was related to COVID and long-term stress (e.g., working extremely late hours for long periods). You never think it will happen to you as you “got it all under control,” but then you realize how untrue that is, as the gravity of the situation takes hold and all you can think of is family.

I did not have any concerning labs or a family history that would make you think that a heart attack would be in my future. But it happened, and I almost didn’t make it as they had to defibrillate me twice during the procedure. So, as you can believe, I’m very, very thankful for those medical professionals and my wife, who made me go to the hospital when I thought I was only having a bad case of acid reflux.

So, this year’s professional development plans pivot first on managing life through reducing stress and making family more of a priority. I’m going to enjoy work instead of being stressed about it, and I’m going to spend more time in this community—complaining about AI ;)

I hope other project professionals recognize how fleeting life can be, review their physical and mental well-being, and make any necessary changes before it’s too late.