How To Become A Project Manager

by TMAB2003 via Flickr

It’s something that gets a lot of lip service.

But are YOU doing it?

You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.

-Zig Ziglar

Rob from Singapore asked a question about how to gain experience in project management when starting from the role of an individual contributor on projects. I posted an answer to that on a new experiment I have going on at pmStudent.org and I’ll riff on that now.

Be known as a person who over-delivers

If you are an individual contributor on a project now, are you the kind of team member that everyone loves to work with? Do people trust that you will deliver and even overdeliver on the work you are doing?

Strive to be the person who inspires others to say “Wow! How does she/he get so much done?” or “I hope I get to work with her/him on this project coming up.”

I’m not talking about under-promising

No, don’t set the expectations low so you can come in with your cape waving in the wind for an early delivery. You’re not going to build any trust that way.

Expectations should be reasonable and realistic.

I’m talking about going above and beyond. Do a top-notch job while volunteering your own unpaid time towards helping a project manager compile data. It doesn’t have to be a lot, but it does have to be quality. Spend a few less hours watching TV and invest in your own personal growth and reputation with your co-workers.

It’s not just about time

You don’t have to become a workaholic. I once managed operations for a start-up wireless ISP, the first of it’s kind in the USA. I worked myself to death, and although the work was great the work-life balance just wasn’t there. It sucked.

Since then I have a 45-hour per week rule. I’ve gotten very focused at personal productivity at work so that I can get everything I need to get done within that 45 hour period.

When a crisis happens though, I’ll work whatever I need to get the job done. Sometimes it’s just a matter of staying a few hours late to finish a critical report for an early morning meeting the next day that JUST got scheduled a half hour ago. Flex the time or just donate it. Once it was a month of 60+ hour weeks to deliver a project on time that ran into a snafu towards the end.

Whatever it is, be the person who everyone knows they can count on when times get tough. When someone has to take a clutch shot they throw the ball to you.

Don’t expect anything in return

You will get lots in return, but don’t expect it. Many times you will not receive any recognition. You will be passed by for that job you wanted. It’s going to happen. Do it for its own sake and when something else happens see it as a happy bonus.

A small example when it comes to networking is LinkedIn recommendations. For every 10 sincere, time-consuming recommendations I write for others, I might get 2 in exchange.

So be it.

I still provided an honest and thoughtful recommendation for someone who deserves it.

And that’s enough.

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I get many questions from people who want to enter into project management as a profession. After all, this is pmStudent. One of the most common questions is “how do I get started”? I received an email from a reader today with this question, and so I would like to share some thoughts with everyone else, too.

Let me start off by saying that there are many, many ways that very successful project managers got their start. There could be plenty of PMs out there who began by earning a business degree online and others who earned better degrees. I can tell you about my personal experiences and share some pointers. This is all just my opinion, (just like the rest of everything I write!) so take it with some skepticism.

Experience First, Education Second

If you have to choose between formal project management education or real-world experience, go with the experience. In reality, this is not an either-or choice however. Go with both but always emphasize your opportunities to gain real-world experience. The optimal in my humble opinion is if you can be in a position where your projects are small enough that you have the flexibility to try out new concepts you are learning in real time. Volunteer efforts are wonderful for this type of flexibility.

Volunteer at work, school, and non-profit organizations you may not even belong to yet
As you learn, apply the concepts
Seek a project management mentor by asking questions of project managers. Take them out to coffee or lunch as a way to tap into their experience and build professional relationships.
If you are already part of a project team, start paying attention to what the project manager does. Offer to assist them in any way, even if you find it menial, and ask lots of questions.

That said,

Education is Very Important

Read books and blogs (see links in the lower-right corner of the home page)
Listen to podcasts (PM Podcast, PM411, Controlling Chaos-archives only, PM Prepcast)
In particular you may find Episode 62 “How can I become a Project Manager” and Episode 65 “BS and MBA in Project Management” helpful podcasts. I’m interviewed in episode 65. Since that was recorded, I’ve decided to NOT pursue an MBA in project management. I’ve earned my BS in Project Management and am focusing on gaining experience and getting my PMP very soon. An advanced degree just didn’t pan out in the cost-benefit analysis for me at this point in my career.
Know the tools: there are tons of computer resources that go hand-in-hand with being a project manager. One such example is workforce management software, which lets you keep track of every tiny detail and stay on top of things during any project. Do some research online and find out what’s being used in the industry today.
Join PM organizations. My experience so far is with the PMI. Join your local chapter, and some SIGs that look interesting. I can recommend the ISSIG in particular, they have a monthly webinar that is usually on topics that apply broadly to all project managers.
PMP Prep material can be very valuable even if you’re no where near ready to take the exam (as long as the material is geared to you understanding it, not memorizing it). The best one I’ve found for this is the PM PrepCast™ where I feel I learned a ton even if you set aside the PMP aspect of it.
Ask your management at work about helping you with a project management career track in the way of project management training, special assignments, etc. It never hurts to ask!

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