I'm an experienced [traditional] PM in the branding/design industry—with a background in design, working in design firms and advertising agencies. I'd like to make a crossover into the interactive (mostly Web) arena.
Does anyone have advice for additional training I may require for this specialty, and further sources or books to consult?
Andrew, I suggest you 1st get the Book called "web Project Management" (or something like that), then start researching the interactive space (books, college courses, forums, blogs, and so on). You need to know the direction this industry is going, who the gurus and major firms are, and what the issues are??? Saving Changes...
I would have to agree with Tom regarding reading specific books. Two that I would recommend are; Web Project Management: Delivering Successful Commercial Website by Ashley Friedein and; Real Web Project Management: Case Studies and Best Practices from the Trenches written by Thomas J. Shelford and Gregory A. Remillard.
Secondly though - project management is project management. I don't care what people say - fundamentally, there is no difference between managing a software project versus a construction project. The lingo may be different I agree. However, since your background is in design, I think you are further ahead of the game than you think. You are already used to working with designers and possibly editors? IAs (Information Architects)?, etc.
In any event, I wish you luck.
bethany Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
With abackground in IT, I can add that your prior experience will buy you more respect from programmers- if you highlight that appropriately. Saving Changes...
I worry about the key project stakeholders (the customers), not what programmers think. If it was left up to programmers you would have total chaos and the project would never get done. Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
I would agree to disagree to that. You r team - programmers also belong to the stakeholder list. It may be tricky to balance all expectations but, given your role, from a collaborative management stand point, you can have better deliverables and team dynamics by winning the respect of the team. In matters of crisis, I wouldn't bother that much- but, the decisions are still yours. You are just bradening your perspective by getting buy ijn from your team.- this attitude never failed me so far. Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
To add to that- if I have to choose between customer and developers, it's a no-brainer- the customer always comes first. I agree there. Saving Changes...
I have attached a stakeholder cheat sheet that I use when managing projects and mentoring PMs. Notice that project team members are on the list, allbeit a lower priority. Saving Changes...
Bipin Lekshmanan PMPProject Manager| Wipro TechnologiesEdison, Nj, United States
"Interestingly, according to modern astronomers, space is finite. This is a very comforting thought--particularly for people who can never remember where they have left things."
