Recently I've seen an increase in job postings for "senior" project managers with 3 years of experience (or more). While experience is a somewhat of a squishy topic and often industry related, on the whole, do you think 3 years is enough experience to rate a "senior" designation? Saving Changes...
Thilo WackHead of Existing Product and Test Lab| optimedTholey-Hasborn, Germany
Personally I'd rather tend to 5 years, but it really is depending on the sector. In some industries even 5 years experience would not guarantee that you could have seen through one project from start to end, while in others you may have more than 5 complete projects under your belt in 3 years which would probably qualify you as "senior". For other roles than PM mostly you can get promoted to "senior" in 3 years if you are good, so why not? Saving Changes...
LORI WILSONRETIRED - Technical Project Manager| RETIRED - LifePoint HealthClarkston, Wa, United States
Hello Cris: Our company looks for a minimum of 5 years experience as a project manager (among other things). Saving Changes...
Deepa KalangiManager, Program Management, Author, Trainer| CVS HealthCharlotte, NC, United States
I heard 5+ atleast to be senior level. 5-7 years sounds right to be called Senior level. Anything 3-5 they say mid level. Saving Changes...
Timothy GriffinSenior Consultant| Deloitte Consulting, Lake Mary FLOrlando, Fl, United States
I agree with the 5 year assessment. It seems to take about 3 years to become a solid project manager. This allows several projects to be completed understanding that you've been learning along the way. Over the next two years, you start to identify risks more effectively. You know how to bring your project teams along with you through coaching, encouragement and nudging. Overall, you're making fewer mistakes, are established as a leader and you are more valuable to yours or another organization. A component that is not mentioned here is the size and complexity of the projects managed. I feel bad asking a question in a response. But do you think a new project manager would learn more by managing three small to medium sized projects, or one or two larger ones? You would also have to consider the project manager's ability to scale to the larger projects. Saving Changes...
Mohamed Abdelaziz MohamedConsultant Senior Engineer| Expertisehouse for ConsultantingAlex, Alexandria, Egypt
I think it depend on the project type and the area .. here in middle east +10 Saving Changes...
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