The Project Managers thread
Discussion
IMO if you don't come from a PM education, P2 or APM etc are great for putting formal names to all the common sense processes/aspects most people in a PM role are used to doing.
You'd be surprised how many companies don't use a formal PM methodlogy (external or inhouse variant). I worked for a large Engineering Consultancy who had no concept of budget, programme, managing change etc. It really was down to the individual to be as organised (or not) as they wanted to be..
But as is per the common consensus, close adherence to the P2 methodology seems rare.
You'd be surprised how many companies don't use a formal PM methodlogy (external or inhouse variant). I worked for a large Engineering Consultancy who had no concept of budget, programme, managing change etc. It really was down to the individual to be as organised (or not) as they wanted to be..
But as is per the common consensus, close adherence to the P2 methodology seems rare.
IT manager here, look after a small team of six managing thousands of small jobs like text updates right up to larger ones like creating e-commerce sites.
Relatively small amount of Project Management involved compared to huge software projects, and I think I would like to move on into this area. I've bought a couple of books to research the area, and will request access to PRINCES2 or ITIL a work.
A few questions:
- What is the best material to get a fundamental grasp on the subject / learn the basics
- I have a degree in Computer Science, but haven't programmed since (graduated four years ago as a mature student, currently 33). Is it a good idea to pick up programming to better understand developers?
- Do you _have_ to contract or are there full time employed positions?
Any other tips / advice / experience much appreciated.
Relatively small amount of Project Management involved compared to huge software projects, and I think I would like to move on into this area. I've bought a couple of books to research the area, and will request access to PRINCES2 or ITIL a work.
A few questions:
- What is the best material to get a fundamental grasp on the subject / learn the basics
- I have a degree in Computer Science, but haven't programmed since (graduated four years ago as a mature student, currently 33). Is it a good idea to pick up programming to better understand developers?
- Do you _have_ to contract or are there full time employed positions?
Any other tips / advice / experience much appreciated.
I was writing specification for a module of the IT system my company is building (marketing company), and compiling a list of objects and dependancies.
I then made a fancy graph in Jira and shared it to our group.
I'm a Test Analyst, on secondment for the 3rd year running from my normal customer service role. I don't want to go back!
Not quite PM stuff, but I seem to be doing more and more of it lately (which is fine as it's all experience, having been taught by someone s
t hot on it before he had a heart attack...)
I then made a fancy graph in Jira and shared it to our group.
I'm a Test Analyst, on secondment for the 3rd year running from my normal customer service role. I don't want to go back!
Not quite PM stuff, but I seem to be doing more and more of it lately (which is fine as it's all experience, having been taught by someone s
t hot on it before he had a heart attack...)
JFReturns said:
IT manager here, look after a small team of six managing thousands of small jobs like text updates right up to larger ones like creating e-commerce sites.
Relatively small amount of Project Management involved compared to huge software projects, and I think I would like to move on into this area. I've bought a couple of books to research the area, and will request access to PRINCES2 or ITIL a work.
A few questions:
- What is the best material to get a fundamental grasp on the subject / learn the basics
- I have a degree in Computer Science, but haven't programmed since (graduated four years ago as a mature student, currently 33). Is it a good idea to pick up programming to better understand developers?
- Do you _have_ to contract or are there full time employed positions?
Any other tips / advice / experience much appreciated.
With hindsight, I would go on the MSP course first and avoid Prince2/ITIL for now.Relatively small amount of Project Management involved compared to huge software projects, and I think I would like to move on into this area. I've bought a couple of books to research the area, and will request access to PRINCES2 or ITIL a work.
A few questions:
- What is the best material to get a fundamental grasp on the subject / learn the basics
- I have a degree in Computer Science, but haven't programmed since (graduated four years ago as a mature student, currently 33). Is it a good idea to pick up programming to better understand developers?
- Do you _have_ to contract or are there full time employed positions?
Any other tips / advice / experience much appreciated.
I would go into a consultancy first and then go into contracting.
If you are in it for the money (and i know alot of people that are not), the guys who do 10 years consultancy then go into contracting typically are some of the best and get paid the most due to quality of experience and global connections. Due to age you are probably best doing a pure management track rather than going down the Architecture>Management route as it will take too long.
hadenough! said:
sparks85 said:
Everyone seems to be IT based here - any Construction/Engineering/Rail PM's?
construction here, but will pm anything given the chance.I started as an Architectural Technician, then became a Design Manager running teams of AT's and Interior Designers. That developed my project management skills, managing information flow, managing teams and delivering drawings. Then spent more and more time on site with the construction teams actually building things. Fed that back into the design process to change the information and the way we presented drawings.
Eventually crossed over to a Main Contractor, interpreting drawings and running jobs.
Been at it 17 years, and everyday is a school day. I've been freelance for about 3 years now and tend to alternate roles, acting as a client side PM, then on the next job working on the construction side. Keeps me up to date with current practices and techniques, on both sides of the coin.
The APM are looking to establish a reader review group for APM publications.
What else do you do (if anything) to keep on top of new/best practise, PM community talk, and general governance?
What else do you do (if anything) to keep on top of new/best practise, PM community talk, and general governance?
JFReturns said:
- I have a degree in Computer Science, but haven't programmed since (graduated four years ago as a mature student, currently 33). Is it a good idea to pick up programming to better understand developers?
You probably have enough programming knowledge already, it's concepts that are relevant rather than coding. Spending time shadowing a developer on a small task (while making it clear you aren't wearing your PM's hat) in conjunction with your existing knowledge could give you the understanding you need.I'm a 'junior' PM in my organisation (engineering). Joined 4 years ago as a graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, worked in operations, then strategy, then site construction where I ended up doing some PM stuff, and now work in the PM function in a different engineering-based area of the business.
Just kind of fell into doing it tbh, it's probably what i'm most experienced in now though so will stick with it.
Does anyone have experience of transferring between industries? Is broad experience as a PM generally desirable or are some industries a bit funny about it?
Just kind of fell into doing it tbh, it's probably what i'm most experienced in now though so will stick with it.
Does anyone have experience of transferring between industries? Is broad experience as a PM generally desirable or are some industries a bit funny about it?
DaveCWK said:
I'm a 'junior' PM in my organisation (engineering). Joined 4 years ago as a graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering, worked in operations, then strategy, then site construction where I ended up doing some PM stuff, and now work in the PM function in a different engineering-based area of the business.
Just kind of fell into doing it tbh, it's probably what i'm most experienced in now though so will stick with it.
Does anyone have experience of transferring between industries? Is broad experience as a PM generally desirable or are some industries a bit funny about it?
I moved from Transportation/Highways to Rail PM'ing - took me about 3 months to get up to speed regarding the technical side of things but the core PM stuff is cross compatible.Just kind of fell into doing it tbh, it's probably what i'm most experienced in now though so will stick with it.
Does anyone have experience of transferring between industries? Is broad experience as a PM generally desirable or are some industries a bit funny about it?
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