Taryn MancineProject Manager| Cook MyoSite, IncPittsburgh, Pa, United States
I am wondering if it is better to be a generalized project manager (understanding the project management standards) or to be specialized project manager (knowledgeable within an industry)? I am sure it would be best to have both, but I am trying to understand which is worth 'more' within the project management world today. Saving Changes...
While having a good handle on a wide set of PM tools & techniques is valuable (especially knowing what is the right context for a given tool or technique), domain knowledge is crucial to being an effective PM.
Without that knowledge, you will have a bigger challenge in establishing credibility with the team and customer, will have a harder time independently assessing information provided by stakeholders, will be unaware of common sources of risk on such projects and might be biased based on trying to draw parallels between the domains you are comfortable with and a new unfamiliar project domain.
You will nearly always need domain knowledge. If you look at job ads for PM's they invariably include domain knowledge as a requirement or nice to have. Saving Changes...
Drake SettsuProject Manager / BloggerHi, United States
I would recommend developing solid PM skills to sell yourself. Domain knowledge as Kiron & Sante pointed out is important. The only way you will get domain experience is for an employer to see your potential as a PM in their organization. Saving Changes...
Meade RubensteinPM III| IT Project GuideSparta, Nj, United States
The more domain specific knowledge you have, the more 'valuable' you will be - within that domain. Its a double edge sword - if the domain that you have deep knowledge of has a limited life span - say, coal plats - then the value of your specific knowledge decreases as the coal plan industry footprint decreases BUT while the specific industry is in demand - then your skill set will be more valuable and you'll have more opportunities to move around.
The other part of the equation is how specialized you become - are you a PM in the IT field OR IT Networking OR IT Networking Migration...the deeper you go - once again - the more valuable AS LONG as that depth is in demand.
My advice - become specialized in the field you're interested in (keep the passion in your work) - but also try to gather long term trends for that specific sector to determine IF you should invest your efforts in it AND when it's time to start moving to another specialized domain. Saving Changes...
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
From personal experience and also as pointed out correctly by Kiron , understanding of Project Risks in a particular domain is of paramount importance. Also tying in with what Meade said, if you are in a specific IT domain , for example IT Networking , a good understanding of Network and security risks with regards to projects will assist you tremendously in managing your projects.
I also don't believe there is such thing as a generalized project manager. Once you start somewhere as a project manager and finish your first project, you will find that over time, you tend to seek out projects that have a similar focus or theme and before you realize it , you become a domain expert Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
My personal experience and what I always sustain is you must not be an specialist into a business domain. You must me a specialist in project/program/portfolio management. Specialist in a business domain will be the subject matter experts that will work with you. Indeed each time you are assigned to a business domain you must perform elicitation to take knowledge about the domain before start working on that. In my case I use the CMU SEI process to prepare myself.
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1 reply by Markus Kopko
Nov 21, 2017 2:07 AM
Markus Kopko
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Hi Sergio,
you took the words out of my mouth ...;)
Any recommended link to the CMU SEI Process?
Thanks and Regards,
Markus
PS: Already performed a Google search but no good links in the first look ...
While having the fundamentals of Project Management is vital, domain knowledge and experience will allow you to put these skills to use. Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Nov 20, 2017 7:29 PM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
My personal experience and what I always sustain is you must not be an specialist into a business domain. You must me a specialist in project/program/portfolio management. Specialist in a business domain will be the subject matter experts that will work with you. Indeed each time you are assigned to a business domain you must perform elicitation to take knowledge about the domain before start working on that. In my case I use the CMU SEI process to prepare myself.
Hi Sergio,
you took the words out of my mouth ...;)
Any recommended link to the CMU SEI Process?
Thanks and Regards,
Markus
PS: Already performed a Google search but no good links in the first look ...
...
2 replies by Frances Kerr and Sergio Luis Conte
Nov 21, 2017 3:49 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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I will try to find the link. If I do not find it I will write a short article and I will put it into my blog because is something I often use.
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
Nov 21, 2017 2:07 AM
Replying to Markus Kopko
...
Hi Sergio,
you took the words out of my mouth ...;)
Any recommended link to the CMU SEI Process?
Thanks and Regards,
Markus
PS: Already performed a Google search but no good links in the first look ...
I will try to find the link. If I do not find it I will write a short article and I will put it into my blog because is something I often use.
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1 reply by Markus Kopko
Nov 21, 2017 3:52 AM
Markus Kopko
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That would be just great, Sergio.
Thanks a lot in advance!
Saving Changes...
Markus KopkoAI Enabler for Project & Program Mgmt | Founder PMotion.ai / The PM
AI Coach| PMotion.aiHamburg, Hamburg, Germany
Nov 21, 2017 3:49 AM
Replying to Sergio Luis Conte
...
I will try to find the link. If I do not find it I will write a short article and I will put it into my blog because is something I often use.
That would be just great, Sergio.
Thanks a lot in advance!
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1 reply by Sergio Luis Conte
Nov 21, 2017 7:47 AM
Sergio Luis Conte
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The process is as follows: we execute it each time we are assigned to a new initiative from "zero minute" to be prepare for elicitation. The process has these steps and here are the tools and techniques we use. We search for information about the below topics before started using the internet or any other mean.
-Application Domain Knowledge. Take knowledge about all related to the domain we are asigned like terms, process, locations, etc. We use Zachman Framework row 1 as a guide to get information.
-Business Context. Take knowledge about the environment where the business must perform its activities. We use PESTLE analysis for macro-environment and Porter Five Forces analysis for micro-environment.
-Problems other facing in the Domain. Take knowledge about other organizations are facing into the domain. We use "PIECES" model as a guide.
-Needs of key players into the domain. Take knowledge about key stakeholders are facing into other organizations into the domain. We use "Solution Selling" or "SPIN Selling" to create the key players list and the key players pain chain.
With all these stuff on hand we are prepare to perform elicitation activities. It is a matter to take consciousness which is the basement to perceive what we need to perceive.
