Melinda OutlawProject Manager| Optum InsightWilliamsburg, Va, United States
I have been certified for 3 years now. Although I have held PM positions prior to receiving the certification, they were mostly a lead role and not using the actual PMBOK areas to run the project. Ironically, after becoming certified, I have only had 1 PM role. Where can I gain some skills to improve my ability to perform in future roles. Are there opportunities to work for free or volunteer just to get the experience Saving Changes...
My early experiences as a PM were on projects where I started off as an individual contributor, but as the project grew and a PM was needed, I took on that role because I knew the project the best. After doing that a couple of times, I got my PMP certification and started actually looking for jobs as a PM.
Make sure you're in a position where you're learning and growing (not necessarily as a PM) and be open to whatever opportunities life presents. Also, look for opportunities to use your skills both at work and outside of work.
Great to see you here Andy. Send me a message about your book; we'll chat. Thanks. Saving Changes...
If you have had only 1 PM role in the past, I would highly recommend that you consider being open to other roles such as a Project Coordinator, or Business Analyst. Certification does not always equal a PM role immediately. Companies also look for the progressive experience or what is that unique experience that you have that will make them money. So you must always consider their requirements first and then what you bring to their table to meet those requirements. Opportunities for gaining experience can be had from volunteering in your local PMI Chapter, non-profit organizations and searching on the PMI.org website under "Volunteer". This way you earn valuable PDUs for your credential cycle too. Best Wishes.
Great advice Shabana, I also try getting into different roles for enhancing and increasing my skill set as being on top position limits your opportunities of learning from other people about what things they do better than you. Saving Changes...
I would recommend reading latest articles and publications on PM project management for building know how of latest practices than join some good organization which can provide you with experience on those latest practices. To grab things easily and in a faster manner you must first study new concepts which are paving their way up in the field of Project Management. Saving Changes...
Andrew WillumsSr Project Manager| Sonic AutomotiveWoodstock, Ga, United States
Some volunteer ideas, may also count as PDUs:
- teach a short intro course to PM at local library or unemployment office
- volunteer PM services for community environment projects
- volunteer PM service and teach courses at youth groups like Scouts
- volunteer PM service for expanding dog shelters, etc. Saving Changes...
Ken BradshawProject Manager| CRASurrey, British Columbia, Canada
There are always volunteer opportunities locally. Farmers markets, festivals, running events etc. are always looking for organizers. you should be able to get more information through your local municipal office or be creative and find the contact info for events as they are announced. Saving Changes...
Jennifer ColucciProject Manager| 3M HISSan Marcos, Ca, United States
You can volunteer through almost any local club or organization. Your kids PTA? The local gardening club? Your HOA? I have discovered if you just look around almost every local organization needs volunteers and I have been able to gain valuable project experience in a non workplace environment. I have planned charity events as well as fundraising drives. It's also nice to get exposed to different types of projects rather than the IT projects I usually work on. Good luck! Saving Changes...
Both volunteer and paid opportunities are valid experiences to gain knowledge and experience in Project Management. It is not the experience itself, but how you are willing to manage that project that makes the difference. For instance,if you are the project manager is up to you to follow the baselines and manage the variances. If you use the available tools, you will gain exposure and familiarity. But, at the end, whatever you are willing to put it, you will get out. Saving Changes...
John TiesoAuthor, Lecturer in Business Management| The Catholic University of America, Busch School of Business & EconomicsArlington, Va, United States
Nov 24, 2016 9:16 AM
Replying to Shabana Wollin
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If you have had only 1 PM role in the past, I would highly recommend that you consider being open to other roles such as a Project Coordinator, or Business Analyst. Certification does not always equal a PM role immediately. Companies also look for the progressive experience or what is that unique experience that you have that will make them money. So you must always consider their requirements first and then what you bring to their table to meet those requirements. Opportunities for gaining experience can be had from volunteering in your local PMI Chapter, non-profit organizations and searching on the PMI.org website under "Volunteer". This way you earn valuable PDUs for your credential cycle too. Best Wishes.
I would certainly agree with taking other roles, both to gain understanding of what they do, and how they need to interact with the PM in a coordinated way. In other discussions on the board, many of us have spoken about the need to have a PM who is well-prepared. That happens through experience, and experience is not something you can go to a store and buy. It takes time, patience, and the obvious will you already have to improve and get to a PM position. Keep trying. You may find some of those opportunities through your local chapter. Saving Changes...
Hari PratapFounder| Altistech Innovations India Private LimitedHyderabad, Not In Regions Listed, India
Start working with Team, understand the current challenges and create the process with the team on progressive manner for success in each of the areas.
Which is true business approach to learn project management. Saving Changes...
Fernando RoqueMr.| Quantic Statistics(www.metricst.info)Guatemala
Hi:
I have read your interesting answers and would like to share my knowledge in Process Improvement. For me, as engineer, and Earned Value Professional, 90% of the success of process improvement is statistics and metrics of the project. Costs and Advance.
I wrote a course and filmed on videos about "E-Learning: "Budgets-Costs-Advances of Projects with Microsoft Excel". The INDEX is below. As part of my contribution to the community I can give you a free coupon of the course hosted in UDEMY.
The project control has three indicators:
a) Budget
b) Expenses
c) Advance
Measure of a graphic that shows the expenses under budget and
the advance justifies the money invested and warranties the
project sucess.
Index:
a) Project SCOPE and Work Breakdown Structure
b) Gantt Chart to see Activities Time, Duration
and Dates, Dependency and Critical Path.
b.1) What activities can be executed at the same time.
b.2) What delays affect all the project delivery date.
c) Resources and Costs for every Activity to have a budget
for each one and total amount for the project.
c.1) Cash Flow needs for every phase.
d) Human Resources Communication to show every person
how many hours and when he/she will work.
e) Escenarios of cost change for resources.
f) Risk Analysis of Activities to get the cost of RISK.
g) Execution and Change Control to see if the project is
under the planned budget and will represent a
revenue for the company.
h) Procurement to identify the best providers.
i) Lesson learned for continuous improvement of business
proposals of projects to increase revenue.
Includes:
-PDF presentation
-Excel Worksheet with data to do practical exercises
explained on the video course.
