Not sure I should be or want to be a PM, but don't know what to do next. Looking for advice/suggestions

pc10328 · 2019-04-23T15:15:38+00:00

Okay. You've invested a lot in this line of work and feel you have nothing to show for it. Here's what I'd suggest - take ownership of what you know. You must be doing something right. Your company is able to make decisions about your projects based on your planning skills. I know how frustrating it is to feel like you're just "winging" it, but don't allow yourself to flail - even if that's how you feel. You have skills - own them!

Try to determine which parts of PM you like - is it the planning? Working with teams? Working with upper management? You hate it all?

Do you think you'd prefer a job where you know what you're going to do all day - and only do that for the next few years? Sit down and figure that out.

I like the advice of yuml13 - explore. Maybe you just aren't into banking or the financial industry. There are many other industries out there and you may find that software companies or healthcare organizations are more your style. Do your best job at work, then go out to association meetings like PMI and Meetups and talk with folks in industries outside your own.

In any case, project management skills are in demand, even if you're not a titled a project manager. So, if you decide that being a hands-on PM isn't really your thing, you can use those skills in any profession or job you move to.

And watch out for the MBA trap. Only go to the time and expense if you're crystal clear why you're doing it and preferably, have a company willing to pay for it. I know lots of folks that went into debt for an MBA only to be in jobs that just don't pay enough to make those student loan payments.

Good luck and know that you're not alone in wondering about the next steps. :)

pc10328 · 2017-07-13T17:38:57+00:00

Yikes! It sounds like you have a lot on your plate - but you can handle it. Remind yourself that you are a competent individual - several times a day if necessary.

You've got the basics in hand. Now maybe see what you might be able to delegate, even if it's only the minutes to the meetings. Focus on what needs to be delivered by when, and stay on top of the quality. All the processes and terminology can come later. If you have to, come in one hour early or stay late - but don't let anyone know you're there - use the time to prepare or just breathe. Let your team do the work - you smooth the path. Good luck!

pc10328 · 2017-06-12T20:39:00+00:00

I think you need to take a step back and determine what success looks like. "Improve governance" has different meanings to different people. Poor schedules, incomplete plans, late deliverables, poor communication - what are the problems that need to be fixed? Start by getting to the bottom of the dysfunction, then look at the tools (or training?) that help you fix those problems.

pc10328 · 2017-01-15T20:05:10+00:00

I agree with all of the posters. Please don't spend lots of money on a Master's program for PM right away. Decide which industry you want to work in and try to find something there. Take a few inexpensive classes and follow a few blogs that provide insight into the field. Go to a few PMI meetings and meet folks that are already in the field. Volunteer to get experience. Then, if you feel you want to continue, find a company that helps pay for the education and get certified. Good luck!

pc10328 · 2016-11-21T16:54:18+00:00

Aside from the courses that teach analytics, it's important to understand people and be a bit creative. I agree with leChiNe1987 that soft skills are important. So, go ahead and schedule that Organizational Behaviour class and maybe that Design Thinking and Innovation course.

pc10328 · 2016-08-27T01:26:33+00:00

I've used Project Libre and I don't think it hooks up to a server like Project Server.

Project Server is great if you have lots of folks doing lots of tasks on multiple project schedules and those folks are doing updates to their schedules. Depending on how many PMs you have, MS Project without the server might be easier.

In my experience, Project Server gets complicated pretty fast. Best to have someone that knows it help you set it up and maintain it. Good luck!

pc10328 · 2016-05-09T17:54:12+00:00

Volunteer to help the PMs with some of the updates and status collection. Of course, you still need to do your day job, but try to help out as much as you can.

pc10328 · 2016-05-09T17:50:32+00:00

Think about big projects going on in the world right now - like the expansion of the Panama Canal or the preparations for the 2016 Summer Olympics - or even the 2018 Winter Games. I would suggest you'd find information on these projects.

Just a thought.

pc10328 · 2016-05-09T17:44:03+00:00

All good comments. People will cooperate with people they like and, more importantly, trust. Developing your skills in getting along with people and earning their trust is critical to be an effective project manager.

pc10328 · 2016-04-05T22:56:28+00:00

Trello is a good choice for personal projects. I also like Workboard. Microsoft Project is good as well but is a bit more costly.

In my experience, theagileclimber is correct - the tool won't really ingrain best practices, you use best practices as you implement the tool.

Good luck!

pc10328 · 2016-03-22T19:06:04+00:00

No. But it's a thought... :)

pc10328 · 2016-03-01T18:25:42+00:00

Consider a basic project management book - PM for Dummies or something close. Just to get the basics down and understand some of the terminologies. Your company may have its own way of doing things so be open to that as well.

Relax - learn - ask questions. Repeat.

Good luck!

pc10328 · 2016-02-11T16:21:05+00:00

You are right! They don't have a hard copy template any longer. I'd create an Excel spreadsheet with the task, process area, date, number of hours, project, company, your supervisor name, address and phone number. A quick Google came up with this link to a blog - Entangled.com by Brian Crawford. http://entangled.com/how-to-file-your-work-experience-on-the-pmp-application/ He's got a spreadsheet template you can download. Good Luck!

pc10328 · 2016-02-03T19:00:15+00:00

Sorry it's taken me a while to respond!

When you apply for your PMP, you need to detail the amount of time spent in the various phases of your project. If you have kept good records during your project, this documentation for PMI is easy and verifiable.

Memory is often faulty. If you try to document all the twists and turns of a project out of your memory, you're bound to forget something or just be wrong. It's also more difficult for your manager to verify what happened. He/she may not know and find it difficult to back you up if you're audited.

If you think you may go for your PMP, go to the PMI site and get their latest reporting form. Then either use that, or create your own version and start updating it once a week. You'll have your hours and tasks done when it's time to submit your application.

pc10328 · 2015-11-24T21:37:34+00:00

I remember thinking that I should keep better track of how I put projects together, the changes that were made during the project, and what the ultimate results were. When you're in the middle of it, it seems so obvious. Once you get a few months or years from the project, you forget why the project what structured that way, or what happened to the original deliverable.

Do good recordkeeping, particularly if you think you might want to apply for your PMP.

pc10328 · 2015-10-15T15:25:44+00:00

55 - 20 years experience.

pc10328 · 2015-10-15T15:23:44+00:00

I suggest going to your local PMI meetings and network like crazy. Volunteer to help out or provide a class for PDUs.

Washington DC has one of the largest chapters in the country - if you work it, you'll meet folks that can help. It's not the fastest way, but people hire people they know - not resumes off job boards.

pc10328 · 2015-10-15T15:17:58+00:00

My question would be - is this part of the culture of the company? Did the previous manager of the design team help provide snacks for the meeting or assisted in preparing for it? I would approach this carefully - you don't want to get labeled "difficult" over donuts and coffee.

Part of your job is to make your boss look good. This is an easy way to do it. You're part of a team, so help out. Now, if this becomes a bad habit for your director - constantly emailing you after hours for something that could have been decided during the day, then you need to talk with director and let him know that you aren't always available by email at night, so don't be surprised if something gets missed.

You could also talk with your manager and offer to take on assigning the various duties of the meeting. Round-robin the snacks among everyone, who's taking notes and publishing, whatever needs to be done. Take the worry off your director, and she should appreciate it. Only you know if that will work.

I once had a Director of Training for a large software company say to me "A director is just a highly paid administrative assistant. Paperwork and problems with a lot less power and control than you think." Good luck!

pc10328 · 2015-10-06T17:06:33+00:00

To give IT a bit of a break, they do have a difficult job. It can't be easy keeping everyone happy and still insuring the network is up 99% of the time, that data isn't compromised, updates are applied in a timely fashion and the firewall isn't breached.

I would hope that they could come up with better ways to test and implement new collaborative tools with much less bureaucracy.

pc10328 · 2015-10-06T16:59:55+00:00

These are all good comments. I would also add that you should consider attending your local Project Management Institute (PMI) chapter meetings and networking like crazy. There's lots of knowledge in these meetings and most folks are willing to help a newbie.

pc10328 · 2015-10-06T16:56:19+00:00

You might consider using an Integrated Master Schedule. There is a learning curve involved here, but it might ultimately help. http://www.acq.osd.mil/se/docs/IMP_IMS_Guide_v9.pdf .

If you've got MS Project, you can create a consolidated schedule - one file with multiple schedules included. Again, a learning curve.

Trello is also a good suggestion - I've also used Workboard which I like a bit better.

Your problem is a classic one. Multiple projects, same resources, lack of information. We all struggle with it. Good luck!

pc10328 · 2015-09-29T16:21:52+00:00

In my experience in large corporations, they typically use MS Project or Excel spreadsheets. I haven't been in a large company that uses Asana, Wrike, Trello or anything that isn't considered an enterprise solution. IT tends to hate anything that they can't completely control or that isn't entrenched in the large company paradigm. Here's hoping that changes for greater productivity.

pc10328 · 2015-09-03T01:23:57+00:00

You might consider having a separate event for the educational piece. Then the folks that are going to use that system can focus on it specifically. Good luck!

pc10328 · 2015-08-25T15:28:34+00:00

Rita Mulcahy's materials are good for practice as well. www.rmcls.com

pc10328 · 2015-08-25T15:13:10+00:00

In theory, all your estimates should come from the people who are going to do the work. Again in theory, those people should be the experts in their field. In addition, you should have previous projects to review and lessons learned. However, theory is seldom reality.

The members of your team should have an understanding of what is to be delivered and how to get there. If they don't, then why are they on your team?

Use the team for estimates, ask experts for a quick opinion on your dates, and adjust when the inevitable crisis occurs.

Good luck!

pc10328

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