The Road to Project Management: Not by Accident but by Design

WHAT ARE THE TOP PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS REQUIRED TO MEET THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF TODAY’S MARKET?

I would categorize skill requirements into 3Ps—people, product and process.

People-related skills are crucial for project managers as they deal with different stakeholders, clients and vendors. These skills include communication, negotiation, motivation, listening, conflict management and coaching. They need to know the product well. Focus on the technical know-how, the sales angle and product usage. They need to have an industry perspective and adapt the product to changing trends in technology.

For process, it’s important to pay attention to an execution framework that adds value, such as Azure Devops (ADO), Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe®) and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMi). Other capabilities include innovation, creativity and project management methodologies.

IN WHAT WAYS DO CERTIFICATIONS DIFFERENTIATE PROJECT MANAGERS?

The pathway that leads to the role of a project manager is by design, not by chance or accident. Certifications enable this design by providing global recognition of one’s project management skills. They provide a framework of having a common language to deal with project execution, give shape to the professional experience, expand reach through marketability and help gain structural learning of critical project management factors. Certifications open the door to networking with global professionals. They are fulfilling and exemplify one’s commitment to the job. Someone with a certification typically gets preference over those without certifications in assignments. It helps you stay ahead in the job market and improve income competitiveness.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING A CERTIFICATION BUT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?

The decision to pursue certification is the first step toward growth. Once you have reached a decision, you can go through a staged approach toward certification, starting with the following eight steps:

• Understand the certification course structure.

• Create a detailed schedule with a list of stages through to the completion stage, and follow it strictly.

• Form a like-minded study group.

• Take multiple practice exams.

• Review your performance periodically and focus on the areas of improvement.

• Prepare flashcards for easy reference and memorization.

• Rest before the final exam.

• Celebrate the successful completion of your certification exam.

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Certifications Help Project Managers Speak One Language

WHAT ARE THE TOP PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS NEEDED TO MEET THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF TODAY’S MARKET?

For project managers, proactive communication is essential. In the interest of solving project issues before the delivery date or managing risks due to project limitations, we sometimes miss providing a heads-up to all of the stakeholders about the impact. This can lead to escalations.

Project planning may sound like a basic element of project management, but we often fail to do detailed planning across both waterfall and agile methodologies. If we plan meticulously in collaboration with all project interfaces, monitoring and controlling can be quite effective. Otherwise, it would be hard to measure the project’s progress if the plans tend to change or evolve continuously.

Building and nurturing project teams is critical for the success of a project. Nothing is possible without teams. It’s important to focus on building high-performing teams, work on establishing trust, create a positive environment and leave room for failure.

IN WHAT WAYS DO CERTIFICATIONS DIFFERENTIATE PROJECT MANAGERS?

Project managers with certifications can speak a language that everyone in the global project management industry can understand, enabling them to be frontrunners. Besides, certified project managers would have unlimited tools at their disposal to manage challenges and complexities throughout the project life cycle. They are well versed in concepts and strategies to keep projects on track in a world of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity. They are well known for successfully finishing projects.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO SOMEONE WHO IS CONSIDERING A CERTIFICATION BUT DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT?

A certification can help you feel confident and proud while also enabling you to assess your competency. Certifications with experience can add more value to projects. You need to first decide your career path and visualize where you want to see yourself in the next three to five years. This will help you choose the right certification. Get all of the relevant information about the certification and connect with people who are certified already to learn from their experience. Finally, pay for the certification exam, set the date, discover your learning style and give your best effort. Take a few practice exams to build your confidence. Post-certification, it is important to apply what you have learned to your projects.