Hello, Stumbling into the PM world looking for an effective approach to handling projects (none is employed in the company I work for), I confess to be at a loss as to which if any methodologies are "best". I know of PRINCE2, what else is there out there. Is the PMI comparable? What formal education could you advise someone looking to get a firmer grip on the PM world. Travelling the road of bluffing amateur is not an option, I would prfer a solid grounding in theory before practicing. Is self study a viable option; a methodolgy condensed from several sources for ones own application in projects? Although this is undoubtedly how many get started and presumably how the field gained its knowledge through trial and error, I am interested in learning about what has been formalised in whichever manner or form. I realise there is a mountain, and thats part of my problem. Advise or answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated. Regards, Robert Saving Changes...
Robert, Prince II is probably the most widely used methodology in the UK and if you want to learn how to use it and get "qualified", there are plenty of suppliers. But don't think for a minute that this will make you a successful Project Manager - Successful Project Managers deliver a quality result, to specification, on time, within budget, and enabling the anticipated benefits to be realised AS A MATTER OF ROUTINE: slippage is not an acceptable option. The approach used within the company for which I work is Prince II compatible BUT... it's explicitly goal focused, benefit led, success oriented, people centred and promise driven, and built around a common language and common sense. It is equally applicable to culture change, service development and improvement, and IT programmes and projects. It ensures that historical knowledge is captured together with lessons learned, best practice is absorbed, and resources are effectively deployed and utilised. Enough of the advertising! The key is this: the processes of project management are simple (or at least they should be), success comes from competencies (customer empathy, influential communications, work orchestration, personal drive & confidence, team leadership & development, analytical reasoning) and skills (time management, Interpersonal communication, listening, selling, negotiation, interviewing, facilitating, planning, organising, problem solving, marketing, public relations). And it's about attitude and appetite: do you want to be a Project Manager who administers (records what happened) or a Project Manager who leads (delivers a quality result and so on)? Your call! Saving Changes...
Robert, there's no quick and dirty answer to your question. But I've attached a file in Acrobat format that covers the PM methodology you can use as a starting point Saving Changes...
Thank you Brian and Tom for taking the time to answer my question. I understand what you are saying Brian, knowledge of methodologies won't act as a fairy godmother. But having a firm grasp of the process at least means that floundering around in the dark can be limited to a minimum on this front. Experience will add wisdom, one hopes. Thanks for your comments, and thank you Tom for the pdf. Saving Changes...
