Nicholette DanielDirector of Product Operations| CloudBeesSeattle, Wa, United States
PMI states the following about the PMP Certification:
The Project Management Professional (PMP)® is the most important industry-recognized certification for project managers. You can find PMPs leading projects in nearly every country and, unlike other certifications that focus on a particular geography or domain, the PMP® is truly global. As a PMP, you can work in virtually any industry, with any methodology and in any location. end quote
I've noticed that many employers tend to only seek project managers from within their industry, expecting, for example, a technical project manager to have a background in computer engineering, or x number of years managing a y-type of project. If you have 10+ years experience as a project manager, should you be considered an experienced PM?
It has become the norm to expect project managers to be SMEs within industry. This can definitely be beneficial in some cases, but is it critical? Is it a deal-breaker? Do you believe that a well-versed, competent project manager can be successful universally, and why? Should employers look within and outside of their industry for project managers with a range of proven project management success?
Do you think that you could be successful managing a project in a different industry, and why? Saving Changes...
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Linda ZinnDirector, Enterprise Project Management Office| FlightSafety InternationalRutherford, Nj, United States
I recall the answer that I received when I asked a similar question in grad school is that in order to have credibility a PM needs to have a background in the types of projects they are managing. If you don't understand the nature of the work you are managing in the project it will be difficult for you to manage it successfully. Can it be done, sure, should it be done, probably not.
The PM in those situations will inevitably need to rely on the project team to answer basic questions and provide validation to everything they do. When this happens the team often sees no value in the PM and the position is seen as little more than a glorified admin role. It the end it degrades both the certification and the profession.
I was surprised too but after thinking about it, it makes sense. While I could build a great construction schedule for example and handle the basics of the project, I have no background in construction and am not familiar with the terminology, the relationship of the work, the sequencing, etc. Someone would have to take the time to explain everything to me. Saving Changes...
Stephanie GrahamVP of Strategy| BankOnITOklahoma City, Ok, United States
I agree. I think that someone could transition to a new industry in regards to the project management aspect, and being able to quickly pick up terminology, contacts, etc is a bonus (being a quick learner). I think it could be done.
It just may not necessarily be easy or as quick to bring someone in from a different field as opposed to someone already familiar with most things (if comparing between job candidates). Saving Changes...
Nicholette DanielDirector of Product Operations| CloudBeesSeattle, Wa, United States
I agree with points from both Linda and Stephanie. I believe that if one has solid skills in the PM domain, that much of the industry-specifics can be picked up. Of course there will be a learning curve, and there will be extra reliance on the team for knowledge. The best case is that there is good documentation on past projects to pull from as a template.
I do however, think there is a limit. I know that I wouldn't feel confident managing, say, a project to manufacture a new vaccine; I have no experience in biology or what the lifecycle of that project even looks like. I've successfully managed many types of "similar but different" projects from mobile applications to websites to software, but notice that, especially in IT, the qualifications become almost too granular.
Thanks for the responses! I'm very interested in what other PMs think. Saving Changes...
Brian WilhelmPM III| Deep Down, Inc., Houston, TXLeague City, Tx, United States
The employers are being logical about their choices. Just like any other job, if the PM has experience in the industry then the learning curve will be less. Who wants to take 8 months to train someone in the industry, when a PM in the same industry could be brought up to speed in 2 months?
Could I manage a project in another industry, absolutely (I have changed industries in the past.) Could I be as effective and a PM already in that company and in that role, probably not - initially. It takes time to learn the processes and durations for each stage of the project. Even different vendors have different durations for the same tasks. It is all a learning curve.
Additionally, I think that employers should also observe which candidates are continuing to learn, and which have stopped their education. The problem is that when you stop learning, you have - effectively - stopped trying to improve yourself. I love challenges and accept them willingly. Step out, step up, and take on the challenge. Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
It is not right that a project manager must be an SME or it has to learn about the industry. What each project manager must do is perform elicitation activities at zero minute she/he is hired to work inside an initiative. Elicitation activities demmands to take knowledge (not to be an expert) in all related to business domain, stakeholders needs and pains inside the business domain, environment where the business domain belongs to. To do that you can use tools like PESTLE analysis, Michael Porter´s Industry Analysis, Tom Peters Seven S model, Solution Selling selling method or any other. I have worked as project/program manager in quit different domains. And the same for lot of others. Saving Changes...
Based on my recent experience, I can assert that a PM is really global.
I am an electronic engineer and I've been developing and managing hardware and software projects since 4 months ago. Now I dramatically changed the scenario: I am now managing a project aiming to release a plastic disposable. Absolutely different!!! After the initial shock , now I have the project under control and thanks to the PMI best practices I built in my mind the big picture bringing in the team a fresh air mindset. Saving Changes...
