What Do You Need To Do?
,The map of your journey has four parts.
Experience Acquisition
Your organization might have defined a project manager position family. Here's one you can use in case they haven't:
- Team Member
- Task Manager
- Activity Manager
- Associate Project Manager
- Project Manager
- Senior Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Director of Project Management
Adapt this position family to your situation and find out what it takes in the way of experience and skills to move up in this position family from wherever you are to wherever you want to go.
On-the-job Training
Take stock of the requirements of your current position. How do your skills match up with those of the position you now hold? Where are your weaknesses with respect to performing your job roles and responsibilities as well as you can? Prioritize these development needs and start looking for training opportunities to address them.
Off-the-job Training
What skills and competencies do you need for that next position? Addressing these is essential to moving forward on your journey. Look for assignments that will give you an opportunity to acquire some of those skills and competencies. You might also find a project manager who is particularly good at a skill or competency you need and volunteer to help them or join their team if possible. Then watch how they do it and learn from their example.
Read, read, and read. There is a vast amount of literature on every aspect of project management, and you have to become familiar with it. Wander through the Internet, and you will find whatever topic you are looking for. The bibliography (Appendix C) that I have prepared for you is a good place to start.
Professional Activities
If you expect to be a great project manager, you have to get involved in the profession. Join the Project Management Institute (PMI) or any one of a number of other project management professional societies. Attend chapter meetings and trade shows. Get to know the people who have risen in the profession, and let them get to know you. Just participate, and you will be rewarded.
There are a number of ways to participate more directly. I've always preferred to give talks on the things I'm working on. It definitely isn't the same old stuff. I have introduced the Adaptive Project Framework (APF) and discussed distressed projects, multi-team projects, and portfolio management as well as several other topics at PMI chapter meetings all over New England. I've also spoken at PMI chapter conferences in Trinidad, Ohio, California, and New Jersey. This is a terrific way to get to know professionals with similar interests. Career days are another way to get involved. You can be on either side of the desk here. You might be looking for a career or interested in advising someone else on their career. I've held elected positions in several chapters at all levels. This is a great way to get to know other project managers in your area.