I've recently started training a new team member to become a junior PM. What are the essential topics that I should be sure to educate him about in his first month or two on the job? Saving Changes...
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Beth SpriggsHome Furnishings AssociationWoodbridge, Va, United States
I'd suggest telling you team member that a huge part of the PM's job is follow-up. It's their job to follow-up on tasks assigned to others, on communications, on vendor assignments, to make sure everything is staying on track. I've found that's where most junior PM's that I've worked with need development. They seem to think that if they've given someone an assignment, it's no longer their responsibility to follow-up on it. Saving Changes...
arlene trimbleAssistant IT Director| Local GovernmentAlamo, Ca, United States
I agree. Follow-up is very important for junior PM's to learn as well as project communication.
I also suggest some items that need to be learned by new PM's for easier transition to being a PM:
1. Checklists: Have the junior PM create a to do checklist for each phase of the project that they have participated in so that they can build it and have a go- to list on what to do for each project later on.
2. Scheduling: It is important for PM to know how to coordinate and schedule in advance meeting appointments to ensure that participants will be available to attend them.
3. Meeting Artifacts: The Junior PM needs to learn what items to prepare during project meetings (e.g. agenda, handouts if needed, logistics - location/teleconference line/videoconference, etc.)
Thank you. Saving Changes...
Gabriel GarciaProduct Owner| LEGOPorto Alegre, Rs, Brazil
These are very good suggestions and should get the PM started on the job, but I would say where he would need more coach is on the soft side and this includes communication/stakeholders management.
There is no magic rule as stakeholders differ from company to company (and it is a soft skill), but I would also add some basic things he could do:
1 - Stakeholders list - Map who is who in the project + needs
2 - Learn how to create status reports respecting the needs/frequency of each group of stakeholder
Further than that, I would keep mentoring/coaching sessions with senior PMS in a regular basis for some time (not only in the first months).
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