PM2305:


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My response:
The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines Project management as the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements; and defines a Project as a temporary endeavour in that it has a defined beginning and end in time, and therefore defined scope and resources. And a project is unique in that it is not a routine operation, but a specific set of operations designed to accomplish a singular goal. So a project team often includes people who don’t usually work together – sometimes from different organizations and across multiple geographies. The development of software for an improved business process, the construction of a building or bridge, the relief effort after a natural disaster, the expansion of sales into a new geographic market — all are projects.

Association for Project Management Uk, defines Project Management as the application of processes, methods, knowledge, skills and experience to achieve the project objectives; and defines a Project as a unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives, which could be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes or benefits. A project is usually deemed to be a success if it achieves the objectives according to their acceptance criteria, within an agreed timescale and budget.

To this end, pursuing a Project Management (PM) Career, I will recommend the following steps:

1. Develop interest and understand what Project Management is about. I am a proponent of PMI, USA and advise every aspiring Project Manager to read PM journals, e-books, articles and related content online. Furthermore, for those with very keen interest, the PMBOK fifth edition may be procured (soft or hard copy) online or at a reputable book store.

2. Work in an organisation that is involved in executing projects. for Eddyken who studied Cooperative Economics & Management, it is easy for him to set up projects relating to how to improve economic data collection. Specific targets within the organisation can be turned into Projects with defined commencement/end dates and expected objectives. Projects duly differ from routine operations (production line or repetitive endeavours).

3. Attend a Project Management certification class/training at a registered education provider center. PMI offers the CAPM and PMP certifications. More information on these certifications can be found on their website, www.pmi.org. Attending the training, will broaden the attendees knowledge of PM within a class environment and through an interactive session. The training sessions introduce participants to salient PM tools, techniques, Process Groups and Knowledge Areas. This fast tracks the ability to understand and garner knowledge (a key prerequisite to being a Project Manager).

4. Apply the tools techniques and knowledge gained to every work endeavour. That is begin to turn every little activity at work and at home into a project. Develop a plan, define scope and objectives, research, develop checklists, develop cost, define timelines, carryout risk assessment, identify stakeholders, communicate effectively, , build teams, monitor and track progress, develop lessons learnt and close the activity/project. Successful event planners do possess PM knowledge, tools and techniques and apply same to the business of planning events.

5. Gain skills. Learn a planning.scheduling software. Learn how to use any or some of the following softwares, Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Asta Power Project etc. They are useful tools in preparing timeline schedules in a Gantt Chart format and tracking resources/progress/cost periodically. Learn other useful softwares relating to your field of endeavour to give you the requisite authority to manage teams as a Project Manager. The more skillful and adroit a Project Manager is, the more trust he earns from his team members. Often times, a Project Manager will have to commit a suitable percentage of his income to personal development and learning. Gaining skills and applying them appropriately is a notable propeller to aid a Project Manager's career success.

6. Gain Experience. PM Experience comes by applying PM techniques, tools, knowledge and skills continuously. This implies that an aspiring Project Manager must be involved in executing Projects at all times. As Malcom Gladwell cited in his award winning book and masterpiece, the Outliers, the 10,000hrs rule also applies to PM. Keep mastering the PM methodology without compromise. Continue to get better. Aspire to be a generalist in your sector. For example, having been involved in several projects and working with different adept consultants, i have obtained useful experience and knowledge in all design disciplines. Hence to an extent, I can carryout mock reviews of most design development activities and also proffer suggestions on methods to improve the design deliverables thereby adding value.

7. Appraise your performance, targets and goals. Make efforts to carry out objective assessment of your Project Management performance. Review your personal targets and goals. It is a useful technique to improve the Project Manager's output and Project outcomes.

8. Turn PM into a culture. Live the life of a Project Manager. Think outside the box. Buy and read books on Project Management. Be different. Be deft in the subject of your endeavour. If you are a Banker, understand the requirements of your department by studying global concepts and approach to what your organisation does and make efforts to contribute your quota to the improvement of the organisation's processes and procedures. This earns you respect and builds your confidence as a Project Manager.

9. Share knowledge. The best part of my career is inducting new staff into my organisation, reviewing lessons learnt on related projects with a new team at the start of a new project or sharing past PM experience(s) with fellow Project Managers. Wow. Sharing knowledge has such a monumental reassuring effect on the person sharing.

10. Keep records and be organised. Keep an active repository for all Project information. Ensure the database is up to date and aptly tracked. For example, if you apply Project Management methodology to managing your own wedding and keep adequate records, you can Project Manage a similar wedding within a week by referring to the records kept during yours. Though the two weddings can never be the same, but lessons learnt can be shared and information on cost and resources can result in time savings. This applies to all forms and types of projects.


Finally, the distinction is about adding value to oneself and any undertaken endeavour always.

I hope my response suffices for the queries raised.

Cheers.