In today’s fast-paced world, Project Management plays an important role in any successful and respected organization. It has become sort of a game-changer across industries. The increasing popularity of PM and the rising demand for qualified Project Managers prove that companies value Project Management skills such as effective communication, excellent time management, high adaptiveness, and result-orientation. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many employees seeking new opportunities in the job market see Project Management as an appealing choice with a bright future ahead.
There are various paths leading to Project Management - some people decide to get a strong, theoretical background through formal education, while others find their way into PM in a process of gaining the required knowledge through experience rather than theory.
It would certainly be difficult to decide clearly which method is more advantageous or efficient, although a strong theoretical background undoubtedly ensures a deep understanding of Project Management methodologies, standards, and tools indispensable for managing large and complex projects. Experience on the other hand is a crucial factor that may determine success or failure in any aspect of our lives. It seems reasonable to say that finding the “golden mean” is the key here. One may achieve that either by starting work while still studying or, in case the situation requires, by attending certified courses in order to make up for possible deficiencies in PM knowledge.
We could probably write a separate and quite extensive article describing the role of a Project Manager. It is simply because Project Management as well as Project Managers exhibit diverse forms and their role may vary depending on numerous factors, such as company size, complexity, and scale of the project.
This variety is also reflected in the title itself - an alternative name for a Project Manager proposed by the PM Book of Knowledge is ”chief project facilitator”1. Such a name suggests that a person running or facilitating a project is not really a manager or a boss, but rather a “supporter who helps create a safe and productive environment for the team members where they can carry out their expert activities better2.
Those tasks surely encompass a wide range of related sub-tasks, but they provide a fair picture of who a Project Manager really is. In many ways, the role of a Project Manager resembles that of a Scrum Master. Both the Project Manager and the Scrum Master act as an individual coach for the members of their team and train them to work effectively. They are also responsible for removing blockers so that everything runs smoothly.
1 PMBOK® Guide 7th edition, Underneath the Surface
2 Ibid.
Even if you did not graduate in Project Management or do not have a background in this field, there are many opportunities for you to make up for it. Many companies with dynamically operating PMO teams are open to recruiting both experienced and inexperienced PMOs - in case of the latter there are plenty of training programs offered. Numerous employers will appreciate the additional skills and teach all that is necessary to start working as a Project Management Officer (PMO) - this is also what we do at PwC.
An alternative way of getting into Project Management leads through internal programmes allowing employees to transfer to another department within a firm. Big companies often support their staff members in changing their career in such a way that it benefits both sides. The company is able to keep the valuable employee and the employee saves a lot of time not having to deal with formalities related to changing the workplace. It is worth checking what options are available for you within your current organisation if you are willing to change the course of your career.
The PMO team organizes the so-called PMO Academy and invites employees from other streams to enroll if they are willing to shift their careers in a different direction, one that some may find more attractive or more challenging. The academy is an extensive training programme with up to 15 training sessions and a dedicated mentoring programme (over 60 hours altogether) which involves a number of PMO practitioners who deliver training sessions on a range of different topics. The sessions include the aforementioned PM Essentials training as well as sessions on PM methodologies, documents, templates, and various PM practices. The Academy ends with an exam and a case study in which participants are able to get a sense of the real work of a Project Manager.
Not only does the training provide you with a handful of practical knowledge but it can also give you a taste of what it is like to work as a PMO. As a matter of fact, some of the attendees of the past edition were so impressed by the charm of PMO that they decided to join the team!
I am myself an example of a successful transition from the operations stream to the PMO team. I started my career in PwC as an analyst working in the AML/KYC area. Although I enjoyed my line of work, I saw an opportunity in trying out a new role in Project Management. My participation in the Academy resulted in a transition to the PMO team just a few months after my decision. I have since then been involved in several projects and initiatives, all of which were unique in their form and gave me a lot of satisfaction. Transfers like mine are also beneficial from the PMO team’s perspective and, as a result, for the Clients, as new skilled team members with diverse backgrounds enrich the team, develop professionally, and are ready to support both internal and external projects.
One of the remarkable aspects of being part of the PMO team within PwC is the abundance of training and development opportunities that foster the development of skills related to Project Management. These trainings play an important role in equipping team members with the knowledge necessary to effectively contribute to project success. Whether specific Project Management methodologies and tools or soft skills training, the emphasis on continuous learning ensures that team members are well prepared to handle the complexities and challenges that are common when supporting different projects. The range of available PM trainings includes the most popular ones such as PRINCE2, AgilePM, P3O to name just a few. When it comes to soft skills development, you will have the opportunity to attend training sessions such as “Social styles”, “Assertive communication”, “Motivation”, “Effective feedback”, “Emotional intelligence” – the list goes on and on.
While it is true that a Project Manager is not typically considered a traditional "boss", being a part of the Project Management Office can be an excellent investment in your professional development. As mentioned above, joining the PMO team provides an opportunity to cultivate a slew of valuable skills, both hard and soft. In this role, you will be required to learn (or rather work out) how to effectively communicate with stakeholders, often of various levels, to make sure that project objectives are understood and met. You will also gain experience in coordinating tasks and resources which will ramp up your organizational and planning abilities. Such skills are highly transferable, valuable, and applicable to any job. Being a member of the PMO team offers a good amount of practical skills and knowledge that not only enhance one's current job performance but also provide a strong basis for future growth.
The amount of time needed to master the basics in the Project Management area depends on several factors including the person's prior knowledge and experience as well as the complexity of the projects they are part of. A basic understanding of Project Management, with the help of programmes such as PMO Academy, can surely be gained as quickly as over the course of several weeks.
In order not to sugarcoat the job of a Project Manager we must acknowledge that it can be challenging at times. Tight deadlines, high expectations from numerous stakeholders, or changing project conditions are important aspects that we must be prepared for. But, as Frederick Douglass once said: “If there is no struggle, there is no progres”3. Despite some difficulties, the work of a Project Manager can be very gratifying.
It seems that the sky's the limit when it comes to getting into Project Management. All we need is the willingness and motivation to start the PM journey. By joining the PMO team, you can gain exposure to a range of projects and industries, enabling you to develop a holistic understanding of Project Management principles and practices.
If you are looking for a new challenge and you are ready to dive in, do not hesitate and take a step towards an exciting and rewarding career. Start your PM journey now!
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress"
3 Frederick Douglass: Selected Speeches and Writings
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