Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Dear members,
I really like Project Management. It is really an art that enables us to cope with dates, constraints, budgets, stakeholders, risks, quality, changes, etc. in perfect harmony.
So after obtaining my PMP Certification, I find myself looking for opportunities to exploit my new set of skills and my passion for this discipline.
What I find is that many times hiring companies are looking for project managers that are ALSO great in another particular aspect (i.e. organic chemistry, mechanical engineering, pharmacology...). In my opinion, a project manager does not have to be a SME on the topic that the project is about - perhaps, acquainted with, but not an expert (in fact, the PM will need to manage SME stakeholders!).
What do you think? Does a PM need to be a SME to pull off a project?
PMI has explicitly mentioned in latest edition of PMBOK Guide that project management skills are not enough to manage a project, you need to have broad awareness of respective application area. So I would advice you to be confident about your core competence which will supplement your PMP certification and will help you land a fine job. Saving Changes...
arlene trimbleAssistant IT Director| Local GovernmentAlamo, Ca, United States
I agree with Suhail. If you scan the job openings right now, most companies ask for a certain degree of familiarity or exposure to the specific area/discipline that you are applying for as a PM. Yes, it is true that PMs need to have this triangle of skills: business acumen, leadership, technical project management (cost, scope, time) PLUS a certain degree of content expertise. I am just saying this based from my survey of job openings for PM. PM Soft skills are not enough per job requirements that I have seen so far. I know that this is not what the PM proponents would like to hear but employers or recruiters are saying a different thing. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
You are right. You must not be a SME in a field. That is because you are able to work as project manager in any environment. But what is your responsibility is to understand about the domain you will start working as project manager not matter you are assigned to a new initiative inside the organization you are working today. Before start working you need to get knowledge about the business environment, about the business stakeholders and concerns, about the business terms and process. You can get all this stuff by searching the internet for PESTLE Analysis, Porter´s five forces analysis and anything you need to understand the business. Saving Changes...
Elizabeth HarrinDirector| RebelsGuideToPM.comLondon, England, United Kingdom
Just wanted to chime in to say congratulations on getting your PMP! Saving Changes...
Mazen AlRefaaiSr Engineer| Saudi Bin Ladin GroupMecca, Saudi Arabia
dear
First accept my congratulation for your PMP certificate,
This great job and I am working on to get
as my understanding all the project Management Staff need it, what ever thier position level to be in harmony with the work of the project management environment
Whatever the project technical/business shape
Product Operations Program ManagerBarcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thanks everyone for your insightful contributions. It is the first time that I use this site to throw out PM related questions and I am very pleased to see that there is quite a lot of relevant feedback. It is IMHO a great complement to LinkedIn PM Groups!
Kind regards,
Eduard Saving Changes...
Ahmed SalihCustomer Project Manager (CPM)| Italconsult SpARiyadah, Riyadah, Saudi Arabia
Congratulation Eduard, my own experience proved to me that being a SME is important in some projects although it might distract you from your core objective of managing the project rather than be the troubleshooter of the technical side of it. Saving Changes...
Olumuyiwa AdegoriteCEO| Knightsbridge Project and Consult LtdIkeja, Lagos, Nigeria
Mr. Iqbal was spot on. You need your core competence plus experience before you can be effectively efficient as a Project Manager. Saving Changes...
Community Champion
