Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Every time from my last 20 years I did that. If not is not possible to growth as project manager and in my personal case it would be impossible to get a job as project manager. On the other side, I firmly believe and sustain that a project manager could manage projects into each domain. And that is the key. Each time you are hired to an initiative, no matter you are familiar to the field, you have to perform an activity named "Elicitation". Key in this activity is "Prepare for Elicitation" where you have to adquire domain expertisse (terms used in the domain, process used in the domain, stakeholders acting in the domain, macro and micro environment, key needs and problems to solve for others in the domain). With all this on hand to are prepare to start working mainly in identifing key stakeholders and talk with them in the same language. Saving Changes...
I have Economics background worked in IT/ITES/Banking/Financial projects. I don't see much difference when it comes to managing projects. Each company follow its own defined approach & process, however concepts remain same. Saving Changes...
AKSHAY JAINPlanning Group Leader| YOKOGAWA, BahrainGwalior, Mp, India
Fundamental of Project Management are same irrespective of domain. But you can manage project if you have system in place to get right inputs. Example if you cant to develop a schedule in field which you have not worked so you depend on team for kind of activities to be performed, reasonable amount of resources required for such activities etc. In practical case domain knowledge of Project Manager plays a key role in identification of right processes and accuracy of outcome with these processes. So in my view high tech projects are difficult to manage without adequate knowledge of domain but other Projects can be managed. Saving Changes...
From my point of view it depends on the background, for example I'm from IT... Am I available to lead a construction project?
Maybe yes,
Am I available to do it properly? yes, but assuming that my role will be more as project coordinator or project manager assistant, because for example the glossary, the terms and conditions in a contract, the stakeholders will be completely different, and I will feel more confident with some knowledge about the field.
Other question completely linked, would I like to decrease my regular income in order to learn in another field... maybe no.
Conclusion, I can do it properly in a training role, I don't think in a training role, after 10 years developing my IT knowledge. Saving Changes...
Vishwanath ThanalapattiSenior Project Manager| Infosys CanadaVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Truly, a while ago I posted the same question in the discussion group. What a coincidence. Here is my two cents so to speak. I think not. Industry knowledge compliments project management knowledge. As a banker (and a PMP) I dare not take a project in construction as I do not know the nuances, the various phases and how it takes shape. I will not have the foresight to determine the course of the project. I can learn though. That does not make me an expert. Project management is an art and science. Art is from domain experience and the science is from the knowledge I have as a PMP. I have been a banker and have managed business transformation projects globally. In the initial discussions itself, I can gauge the complexities and a plan starts forming in my mind. When I look at their business models, I am fairly confident on the SWOT. When I hire or group my team, I can evaluate their skills and capabilities. I get early warning signals by merely looking at the progress. I have an inherent knowledge of the critical path without looking into a PERT diagram. This knowledge asset is from my experience as a banker. The value of PMP knowledge increases many fold in combination. My view, a person with a chemistry background is better off managing her domain related projects than take a dive with one in construction industry. This will deliver value to the stakeholders who have a solid stake in the project outcome.
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1 reply by Raghavendra Rao S Kadam
Oct 06, 2016 3:11 AM
Raghavendra Rao S Kadam
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I agree to your argument. But the whole purpose of PMP is to standardize the process that anyone without Domain experience can handle the project. This discussion is bit more complicated but there are people without domain experience performing at various levels in the organization. But in my opinion people can get domain experts or learn about the domain if they are willing to spend time. But ultimately it boils down to Leadership qualities and decision making skills, which is very important for successfully execution of a project.
Truly, a while ago I posted the same question in the discussion group. What a coincidence. Here is my two cents so to speak. I think not. Industry knowledge compliments project management knowledge. As a banker (and a PMP) I dare not take a project in construction as I do not know the nuances, the various phases and how it takes shape. I will not have the foresight to determine the course of the project. I can learn though. That does not make me an expert. Project management is an art and science. Art is from domain experience and the science is from the knowledge I have as a PMP. I have been a banker and have managed business transformation projects globally. In the initial discussions itself, I can gauge the complexities and a plan starts forming in my mind. When I look at their business models, I am fairly confident on the SWOT. When I hire or group my team, I can evaluate their skills and capabilities. I get early warning signals by merely looking at the progress. I have an inherent knowledge of the critical path without looking into a PERT diagram. This knowledge asset is from my experience as a banker. The value of PMP knowledge increases many fold in combination. My view, a person with a chemistry background is better off managing her domain related projects than take a dive with one in construction industry. This will deliver value to the stakeholders who have a solid stake in the project outcome.
I agree to your argument. But the whole purpose of PMP is to standardize the process that anyone without Domain experience can handle the project. This discussion is bit more complicated but there are people without domain experience performing at various levels in the organization. But in my opinion people can get domain experts or learn about the domain if they are willing to spend time. But ultimately it boils down to Leadership qualities and decision making skills, which is very important for successfully execution of a project.
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2 replies by Mathura Srinivasan and RIZWAN LIAQAT
Oct 06, 2016 5:53 AM
RIZWAN LIAQAT
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But how much domain knowledge can be learned in short time, Take the example of software project manager, job requirement of JAVA project manager requires projects of java technologies, job requirement of DOT NET project manager requires projects of dot net technologies. So only JAVA guru or DOT NET guru is required although both are software project managers.
Nov 09, 2016 11:38 PM
Mathura Srinivasan
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Although my background is in IT, I have had to lead multiple business projects where I had no knowledge of the industry and what I find is that yes, the PM processes are the same, but without the domain knowledge I feel like I am not as effective as I can be. For example, in IT, when I have a group of resources debating on a course of action, after listening to all sides I can drive the team to a conclusion and a decision. I was able to do this in one meeting as I had the background domain knowledge to weigh in and provide a PM direction. On the business side, as I had no domain knowledge, I was not able to contribute that much to help the group come to a final decision. There were many back and forth, many 1:1 sessions to understand the history and background for the team to come to finally come to a conclusion which in my mind made me very ineffective.
I agree to your argument. But the whole purpose of PMP is to standardize the process that anyone without Domain experience can handle the project. This discussion is bit more complicated but there are people without domain experience performing at various levels in the organization. But in my opinion people can get domain experts or learn about the domain if they are willing to spend time. But ultimately it boils down to Leadership qualities and decision making skills, which is very important for successfully execution of a project.
But how much domain knowledge can be learned in short time, Take the example of software project manager, job requirement of JAVA project manager requires projects of java technologies, job requirement of DOT NET project manager requires projects of dot net technologies. So only JAVA guru or DOT NET guru is required although both are software project managers. Saving Changes...
Sumit DuttaPrincipal Consultant| PricewaterhouseCoopers Pvt LtdKolkata, India
Managing projects in a completely non-familiar topic? Yes, it is possible and with fast evolving technology, it will be become compulsory in the near future. It is under these conditions that the true project management skills of the concerned person is put to real test. Of course, one has to acquire adequate domain expertise specifically in terms of processes involved, their industry names, common terminology, end goal, typical technical and business challenges etc. From then on, is how soon one can identify the most useful or involved or knowledgeable or powerful stakeholders. In short, the folks who can make or break the project. The other thing would be laying down appropriate processes for tracking and monitoring and at least in the beginning, tracking the monitoring the said processes regularly Saving Changes...
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