Chapter 18 - Project management career paths. This chapter discusses basic issues regarding a career in project management. One point to remember is that pursuing a career in project management does not necessarily mean you will ever have the title of project manager.
Student Version CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Project Management Career Paths McGrawHill/Irwin Copyright © 2011 by The McGrawHill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved Where Where We We Are Are Now Now 18–2 Project Project Management Management Career Career Issues Issues Career Paths Temporary Assignments Pursuing a Career Professional Training and Certification Gaining Visibility Mentors Success in Key Projects 18–3 Career Career Paths Paths • There is no set career path for becoming a project manager • Advancement generally occurs incrementally • Project management responsibilities expand as you move up the organization’s hierarchy 18–4 Temporary Temporary Assignments Assignments • Project management assignments tend to be temporary • Permanent job tenure is rarely granted to project managers • A promising career can be derailed by one unsuccessful project 18–5 Pursuing Pursuing aa Career Career • Find out what specific project job opportunities exist in your company – Talk to people in project management positions and find out how they got to where they are and what advice they can give you • Share your aspirations with your immediate superior or someone who can champion you ambitions, make training available, or assign you to PM work 18–6 Professional Professional Training Training and and Certification Certification • Training Resources: – On-the-job training – In-house training programs – Professional workshops – University degree programs – Professional organization membership 18–7 PMI PMI Certification Certification Requirements Requirements CAPM PMP Full Name: Certified Associate in Project Management Project Management Professional Project Role: Contributes to project team Leads and directs project teams Eligibility Requirements: High school diploma/global equivalent AND 1,500 hours experience OR 23 hours pm education High school diploma/global equivalent years project management experience 35 hours project management education OR Bachelor’s degree/global equivalent years project management experience 35 hours project management education Exam Information: hours; 150 multiple-choice questions hours; 200 multiple choice questions 18–8 TABLE 18.1 Gaining Gaining Visibility Visibility • Get actively involved in local community opportunities to manage projects • Develop contacts by volunteering for task forces and projects that allow access to higher-ups and other departments 18–9 Mentors Mentors • Mentors are typically superiors who take a special interest in you and your career • They require loyalty and superior performance • Take advantage of formal mentoring programs in which experienced project managers are assigned to promising young managers • Attending conferences, trade fairs, and workshops provides good opportunities to “network” and develop social connections that might precipitate project assignments 18–10 Success Success in in Key Key Projects Projects • Pick projects more for the quality of the people working on them than for the scope of the projects • Keep a diary of your observations and review and refine lessons learned • Avoid run-of-the-mill projects or assignments • Seek high-profile projects that have some risks and tangible payoffs • Consider moving to a different company or even a different industry that might provide more project management opportunities 18–11 Key Key Terms Terms CAPM Mentor PMP 18–12 ... precipitate project assignments 18 10 Success Success in in Key Key Projects Projects • Pick projects more for the quality of the people working on them than for the scope of the projects • Keep... your observations and review and refine lessons learned • Avoid run-of -the- mill projects or assignments • Seek high-profile projects that have some risks and tangible payoffs • Consider moving... • Training Resources: – On -the- job training – In-house training programs – Professional workshops – University degree programs – Professional organization membership 18 7 PMI PMI Certification