Find out if what it takes to become a project manager and whether or not you\'ve been managing projects all along.

1. Am I a Project Manager? Transitioning into the growing field of Project Management Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

2. First things first… What is a project? Many variations but all projects have the following characteristics: Unique Response to or solution to a particular need Temporary in nature Well defined collection of tasks that are completed in a sequence (schedule) Uncertainty = risks “A temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.” (PMI.org) Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

3. Project Managers v. Functional Managers Both plan, schedule, motivate, and control Project Managers plan schedule, motivate, and control for temporary, non-repetitive activities for a fixed amount of time (i.e. the life of the project) Functional Managers take over existing operations Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

4. Project Managers v. Functional Managers, cont. Project Managers create teams and organization where none existed before (Gray, 2009) Functional Managers manage dedicated staff and establish standard operating procedures Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

5. Project v. Routine Work Project Routine Work Baking a cake for a birthday Writing a paper Implementing a CRM database Creating an e-blast to promote a product on your website during Halloween Weekly grocery shopping Attending class and taking notes Sending regular customer correspondence Daily maintenance of your website Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

6. Project Life Cycle Defines the stages of a project, the typical activities during that stage and the predicted level of effort. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

7. Taking a look at your background… First, review your professional background: Look at your resume. Go back to your old files. Did you complete a project that wasn’t necessarily part of your job? Don’t rely on your job title!!!! Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

8. Your background, cont. … Next, look at the volunteer work you’ve done… Great source of project work. Do you have someone who can vouch for your work? Can you demonstrate that you led the effort from beginning to end? Does your volunteer work meet the definition of a project? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

10. Think about your experience…

11. Ask yourself:

12. Do I/have I managed projects or operations?

13. Can I identify real projects I’ve managed in the past 8 years?

14. Do I have experience managing all stages of a project?Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

15. You’ve managed projects… Now what? Get “plugged in” to the project management community. Take stock of your education thus far. Consider in what field you might manage projects. Determine whether or not certification is an option. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

16. Getting plugged in… Step 1: Join the Project Management Institute Go to www.pmi.org If you are taking classes, join as a student—no matter how old you are! Participate in the Communities of Practice (you can join as many as you like! It’s part of your member fee.) Join your local PMI Chapter while you’re at it—this is where you’ll most likely network with other PMs. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

17. Getting plugged in… Step 2: Join other project management groups Go to Linked In and join some of the groups there. Listen to and participate in the conversations! Don’t be afraid to let people know you are a “new” project manager, or a “transitioning” project manager. Ask for advice on getting started—this is by far one of the hardest stages of a project management career. Step 3: Get active! Become a PMI volunteer—get active! Volunteer to lead projects with other organizations. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

18. Project Management Education Get your 35 contact hours of formal project management education. Many colleges and universities offer online and traditional bachelor’s and master’s level courses. IT Project Management Construction Management MBA with Project Management specialty Look for accredited programs Note: 1 hour in the classroom = 1 contact hour Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

19. Project Management Education Project Management Boot Camps Purpose is to prepare you to take the certification exams Many will provide the 35 contact hours required for certification (get it in writing) Recommended but not without some sort of formal project management education Costs can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

20. In which industry should you manage projects? Two schools of thought… Project Managers—especially certified PMs—can manage projects in any industry Project Managers should manage projects in the industries they are most familiar with or where they are considered a subject matter expert (SME) Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

21. PMs can manage in any industry… Based on the theory that if we all subscribe to the best practices detailed in the PMBOK ® we should all respond to the needs of the project in the same way. Yes, but… No two projects are alike No two industries are alike Each industry has it’s own norms, terminology, methodologies, idiosyncrasies, etc. A PM needs to have detailed knowledge to effectively manage Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

22. PMs should only manage in their area of expertise… Based on the theory that project management is a skill rather than a profession. Reason why Project Manager is not a listed occupation in the Occupational Handbook. For example, a marketer goes to school to learn how to market a product or service and apply various best practices. The way that they carry out these activities can be characterized as marketing campaigns (or projects). Marketers manage campaigns (projects) but still consider themselves, “marketers” rather than “project managers.” Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

23. In which industry should you manage projects? The industry(ies) you have a background in. Industries you have an interest in. Completely new industries you feel you can learn. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

24. Project Management Certification Q: Do you need certification? A: Well…, no. But certified project professionals carrying one of the five designations make roughly 10% more in salary (PMI.org). Based on PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)® Certification demonstrates that you have the basic education, skills, knowledge, and ability to manage projects across all disciplines using best practices outlined in the PMBOK. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

25. Project Management Certification Q: Can anyone get certified? A: Well, yes; but…. There are education and experience criteria that must be met before one is eligible to sit for the exam. For the Project Manager Professional (PMP)®… 35 Contact Hours of formal education 36 months of non-overlapping experience/45oo hours leading and directing projects Experience must have occurred within the last 8 consecutive years Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

26. Project Management Certification For more info, go to: http://www.pmi.org/Certification.aspx Spend time reviewing the 5 different certifications Project Management Professional (PMP) ® Certified Associate in Project Management(CAPM) ® Program Management Professional (PgMP) ® PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) ® PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)® Become familiar with the corresponding handbook Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

27. Project Management Certification The Exam It’s brutal. You muststudy. It is recommended to invest in a certification “boot camp” in addition to college-level courses because: You’ll learn how to take the exam You usually get a copy of the PMBOK ® You’ll get other study materials to help you understand the PMBOK ® Practice Exams You’re not alone in your insanity Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

28. We’ve just scratched the surface… We’ve looked at what it takes to become a project manager: “Plugging in” Your education Your industry of choice Whether or not you should get certified What else should you consider? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

29. Do you have a PM Temperament? Can you unify diverse groups of people? Can you manage multiple tasks at the same time? Are you a stickler for documentation? Are you calm under pressure? Can you tolerate constant change? Can you manage up, down, and across? Do you prefer direct communication or indirect methods? Are you sensitive to the needs of various stakeholders? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

30. Do you have a PM Temperament? Can you think on your feet? Are you the one with the solutions? Can you anticipate issues/risks and figure out how to resolve them before they occur? Do you have a basic aptitude for statistical reporting? Are you analytical? Are you detail oriented? Can you see the big picture? And can you sell it to others? Can you say no? And confidently explain why? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

31. Do you have a PM Temperament? Can you manage rather than “do”? Can you motivate others and build a strong team? Can you make everyone feel like their needs are being met? Can you stand being hated? Can you stand being blamed? Are you collaborative? Can you trust your team? Will you be able to sleep at night…even if your project is failing? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

32. Is your head spinning yet? Are you wondering why you wanted to be a Project Manager? Don’t worry. Many of “us” have been managing projects for years and are still wondering. Others enjoy the challenge and can’t imagine doing anything else. Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

33. RESOURCES… PMI.org PMI Membership—join! Local PMI Chapters PMBOK ® (free to PMI members!) Local Gurus My personal favorite, Carl Pritchard College, Universities, and government training Linked In groups Your personal network Developed and presented by Pamela Robb

34. Questions? Developed and presented by Pamela Robb