How do new Engineers Learn Project Management?

James, on the job gaining first-hand experience is the best. I come from a structural engineering background and then slowly moved into project management bad been in that domain for the past 20 years now.

James -

Most folks start out as individual contributors on a team and then jump or are pushed into leading a project. Developing PM competency is a good use case for the 10/20/70 model of development - 10% formal, 20% relationship-based (e.g. mentoring) and 70% on the job experience.

Kiron

Thanks Kiron.

I figure that your percent breakdown is probably accurate. So, question would be: do we think that a higher % formal training would reduce the % on the job (or mistakes on the job?)

New engineers often start as individual contributors before transitioning into project management roles, and there are several effective approaches to help them develop PM skills. On-the-job experience can be invaluable, as it allows them to learn through real-world challenges, but pairing this with formal training can provide a solid foundation in project management principles.

Mentorship is also crucial; having experienced PMs guide junior engineers can accelerate their learning and provide insights that formal training might not cover. Additionally, encouraging individual learning through books, webinars, and online resources can help them build their knowledge at their own pace.

As you review your program, consider integrating these diverse learning methods to create a well-rounded experience for your students!

Golam