The first 90 days of a PM

Hello,

I guess it may depend on your background and familiarity but I typically focus on:
1) Learning the product/service from a technical standpoint so I am versed. Get whatever training I need whether it be from others on the team, books, internet research, etc.
2) Learn the team. Begin to familiarize yourselves. Get through the 'norming/storming' process.
3) Learn current state processes. I am always hesitant to change things until I thoroughly understand them, so my first step is to get a baseline understanding that can be used to start documenting processes and making process changes/improvements.

Depending on where you are at in the project lifecycle you either need to quickly get through initiation by creating charter and a PM plan or you are focused on transitioning onto a project that's already executing and you need to know how you're monitoring it moving forward.

Good luck!

Patrick

Learn the company/department culture. Respect the others and communicate with them with assertiveness without being shy.

I would suggest, before starting any task, calm down, relax and go through each and every detail what you expect, don’t be in rush to prove something, look all around and understand the people then act accordingly.

Whatever you are examine, make note of each and everything (even though a small or inconsequential issue), if you don’t know something try to be get through online, journal, books or your sub-ordinates. Keep your moral high, esteem others, take initiatives, show your state of mind, keep confident attitude and dress properly (may be suits or formal).

Try to get earliest municipal planning methods or consulting firm to update day to day requirements of work. Take advantage of your networking, grab as much as possible the information and technicality understanding etc.

I hope, this will may help you to accommodate in your job profile, of course your vast knowledge in your core field will definitely help a lot.

Good Luck!

Best Regards,
Sharique

Amir:
Thanks for this question; great discussion.

Let me share my top ten:

1. Get settled in; you'll be putting on your tennis shoes soon. Enjoy being a newbie.
2. Walk in with the right mindset; growth mindset.
3. Make sure your clear on the sponsors vision for the project. Projects are all about people, processes and politics; get to know your culture & executive team.
4. Ramp up; get familiar with the project; ask for all project documentation, business case, feasibility study, planning documents, etc.
5. Familiarize yourself with your core team; understand the approach, status, governance, methods, tools, reporting, budgeting, etc
6. Assess your approach to how you will lead this project; get comfortable leading in the face of ambiguity and change.
7. Be yourself; focus on your leadership, authenticity, transparency and clarity.
8. Ask probing questions until you feel you're comfortable; establishing good relationships with your core team, key stakeholders and exec team is critical to gaining trust and establishing confidence in your leadership.
9. Get comfortable with conflict management. Get ready for the forming, storming, norming, performing stages.
10. Celebrate quick wins; focus on retrospectives at each stage gate. Adjust, refocus and continue to move your project forward.

Most of all have fun; enjoy the journey!