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Many people find themselves thrust into a project management role with no formal training or experience. When this occurs, it is important to be prepared to deal with the significant changes in your role. Your responsibilities broaden from managing yourself to managing others, from short-term to long-term goals, and from tangible to intangible issues. Time and experience will develop and refine your project management skills, but additional training will prime you for the process of transitioning into a project management role. In the online course Transitioning into a Project Management Role, you will find an overview of the changes a new project manager may face, including the development of a successful project team.

This course is targeted toward a diverse range of managers and staff members who wish to acquire the necessary skills to successfully manage small to medium sized projects.

There are no prerequisites for this online course, however students should have a good understanding of the experience gained from working in an organization.

Below is an example SkillBrief* from Transitioning into a Project Management Role.

The Transition to Project Management

One of the most difficult aspects of becoming a project manager is changing the essence of how you work. As you move into a leadership role, it is important to let go of old ways of relating to your work and to your colleagues.

As a new project manager, you must transform the way you perceive your responsibilities, your focus, and your ability to work with and influence others.

• "attention to things" transforms to "attention to people"
• "concern for yourself" transforms to "concern for others"
• "short-term focus" transforms to "long-term focus"
• "solving problems" transforms to "managing problems"

Attention to people

A new project manager has to transition from hands-on work to delegating work to team members. A good project manager knows when to let go of duties and acknowledge that it is not the technique, but the results that matter.

Concern for others

As a project manager, you must learn to put what is best for the team ahead of what is best for yourself. A team flourishes in an environment where each member's contribution is recognized and valued.

Long-term focus

In project management, time is a valuable asset that must be planned and spent just as carefully as a budget. Good project managers plan priorities and deadlines, so they are always aware of which areas need the most immediate attention. With good time management practices, you will become more conscious of the choices you make and more aware of habits that interfere with efficiency.

Managing problems

A project manager is in the position of managing complex and interwoven problems, rather than solving them. Project managers guide their teams to identify the problems, while the team members identify and implement the actual solutions.

Management style

In project management, it is important to consider how you will manage your project – your personal management approach. The ability to get a job done is based on personality, experience, and attitude. Your application of those traits in the workplace is known as your management style.

There are three basic styles of management:

reactive – A project manager with a reactive leadership style accommodates the immediate needs of the team without adapting to current changes and trends.

inactive – A project manager with an inactive leadership style uses short-term planning and copes with problems only as they arise.

proactive – A project manager with a proactive leadership style initiates action and is flexible with control over the project. Team members are encouraged to take ownership in the project.

The only effective approach to project management is proactive. Teams that are proactively organized and led show greater cohesion, productivity, innovation, and performance. Reactive managers are always playing "catch-up" with their plans. Inactive managers just let their projects stagnate.

Basic principles

Projects differ in scope and complexity, but there are basic principles to which every project manager should adhere.

Continuous improvement

• meet project requirements – The most basic responsibility of a project manager is to deliver the project on time, on budget, and within scope.
• make timely decisions –Team members depend on the decisions of the project manager to complete their own work.
• set goals and make a plan – A plan is a measurement tool that allows you to assess how successfully you are achieving your goals.

Creativity

• propose change – A proactive manager is not afraid of changing and adapting to new influences and situations.
• encourage high standards – Set the example for your team.
• foster innovation – A facilitative and enabling approach creates a balance between innovation and expectation.

Discipline and detail orientation

• taking calculated risks – A good project manager is aware of risk but is not inhibited by the fear of failure.
• creating dissonance – Encouraging your team to express divergent opinions and ideas can lead to expansion and innovation.
• developing mental discipline – A proactive manager focuses attention on the needs of the team and the objectives of the project.

Remember that without a good project manager, even a well-conceived project can devolve into chaos. All it takes is the right preparation and mind-set, and the willingness to transform.

Course: Transitioning into a Project Management Role
Topic: Transitioning to Project Manager

Would you like to learn more ways to improve your Project Management skills? Check out the online course Transitioning into a Project Management Role found in the MyPath Knowledge CenterMyPath Knowledge Centerlibrary. This library of self-paced, online courses is available to all MyPath members for 30 days- with no additional commitment.

Are you ready find more time in your day? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Centerand start your free trial today!

* SkillBriefs are single-page, condensed summaries of the instructional content of a course topic. Use SkillBriefs as an instant reference after you have completed a course

Online learning is different in many respects from the traditional face-to-face learning we're all used to, primarily in the way we get our information and how we interact with instructors and classmates. Many people say they learn more online, and their retention is better too.

Consider that good students in the traditional setting may fair poorly in an online environment, while struggling students may excel with online courses. This can be explained in part due to differences in learning styles. Visual, self-directed learners do well at online learning, but others succeed because online instructional design is often sophisticated and planned to reach a wide variety of learners.

Lifestyles play a big role in the success of online learners too. These are the traits that successful online students possess, to varying degrees:

• Self-Directed
• Motivated
• Comfortable with computers
• Able to use email, internet browser, word processor
• Like to read and write
• Inquisitive
• Disciplined
• Independent
• Able to stay on task

These questions may help you decide if online learning is for you:

Are you self-directed and motivated?
Most of online learning happens on your schedule. You'll need to be self-directed and motivated to complete activities on schedule and initiate the communication required to be successful. You'll be responsible for creating the structure to finish each course.

Are your technical skills adequate?
Along with having access to a computer and not being overwhelmed by typing, online learners should be comfortable with internet browsing and searching, email, sending and reading attachments, word processing, and sometimes downloading and installing software plug-ins (a normally simple but sometimes intimidating task).

Do you have strong reading skills?
Reading can play a large part in any class, and especially online. The ability to read and comprehend subject matter without it being a chore is critical to your success.

Does written communication come easily for you?
In most cases writing is the primary method of communication in online classes, so you should be at ease with writing to express your thoughts, share ideas, and ask questions.

Will you ask questions when you need to?
If you typically don't hesitate to seek help when you need it you'll do fine. Since you'll be in an online environment it's important to let your instructor and classmates know when you need help. Remember that they won't be able to see your looks of doubt, confusion, or other body language to tell when things aren't going well.

Will you miss the social interaction?
Interaction with instructors and classmates in online learning is often an integral part of the learning experience. Absent is the in-person contact - being able to see facial expressions, hear reactions, and speak. Campus life may be different or non-existent too.

Do you have the discipline to study regularly?
Like a traditional school you'll need to set aside adequate time for study. You may discover that you need to be online frequently to complete assignments or communicate with classmates and instructors. You can plan to spend at least as much time working assignments and studying as you would with a traditional course, and you'll be setting your own pace in many instances.

If you're satisfied with your answers to these questions, you're likely to do well in an online learning course. A no-cost / no-risk way of trying online learning is by accessing the MyPath Knowledge Center. There are 10 eLearning courses available in project management, personal development and more. In addition, more that 200 fully digitized online books are available in IT, business topics, finance, engineering and more. Try it today!

Recently, we have received some questions from MyPath members asking for tips on how to manage the costs for training for a new career.

Here are some general guidelines:

Consider the typical salary for your new career interest and ask yourself how much debt you are willing to take on to earn that particular salary.

After an exhaustive career exploration that involves researching jobs and conducting informational interviews with people in target career fields, many job seekers determine they need additional training to develop skills for a new career. However, it is important to research the possible training providers as intensely as you have researched your career interests.

Whether you are interested in a community college, a four-year institution, a short-term training program, a professional certification program or a private training provider, here are some questions you should ask.

How much is this going to cost?

School can be pricey. While it may give you new skills for a completely different career or add to the skill set you already have to make you a more marketable job candidate, it does not guarantee employment. Consider the typical salary for your new career interest and ask yourself how much debt you are willing to take on to earn that particular salary. Using these figures, calculate approximately how long it will take you to pay back the debt and consider the sacrifices — such as holding off on buying a new house or car — that you may have to make as a result.

Also, be sure to take advantage of resources available to help you with financing your education or training. One way to secure financial assistance is through the Workforce Investment Act. This federal program was designed to assist qualified unemployed, underemployed or dislocated workers by providing job-training scholarships.

Another means of support can be found through the Department of Education, which provides federal student aid for eligible individuals. Federal student aid is accepted at all community colleges and most public and private universities. Typically, most for-profit schools as well as non-degree-bearing programs such as continuing education or certification classes do not accept federal student aid, but you should check with the financial aid office at your school or training provider of choice to be sure.

Information about and a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) are available at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

How many students who complete this training program end up working in a related career?

If you are going to make the commitment to train for a new career, you want to ensure the training and skills you receive will actually allow you to find work in that field. Credible training programs and schools should have this information and be willing to share it with you. Moreover, they should be able to direct you to graduates of the program who are successfully working in that field. You can set up a time to speak with them about any specific obstacles they faced in making the transition from school to work and ask them if they would do anything differently if they had the chance.

Does this program prepare me to obtain certification in my chosen field?

Many occupations have professional certifications that are recognized as industry standards. Find out what the standard certification is for your career of interest and ask the training provider whether you will be able to successfully obtain that certification after passing through its program. Also ask the training provider for data on its graduates’ certification exam pass rates. That information will give you an idea of how well the program does in preparing students to attain necessary professional certification in their career field.

What tutoring and additional help are available outside of class?

Many of you may be going to school for the first time or returning to school after a long hiatus, so you may be a little rusty. Ensure that there are sufficient resources available for any additional support you may need. Ask about tutoring programs, mentors and instructors’ office-hour schedules.

Does the program provide internships?

Internships offer you an opportunity to put your newly acquired skills into practice in a real-world work setting. Experienced professionals in your field will groom you as you learn the ins and outs of the industry and discover which areas you need to improve upon. Internships also provide an excellent opportunity to network with individuals and organizations in your new career of interest.

Are there other ideas and suggestions?  What are some creative ways you have managed the costs of changing careers?

In the workplace, you may answer to feedback from supervisors, coworkers, subordinates, or customers. Personal accountability means being willing to answer responsibly to anyone who offers feedback on your work results. You need confidence and courage to answer for the success or failure of your own work. Many people are reluctant to seem boastful about their successes. They may be even more reluctant to shoulder the blame for a failure alone.

On one level, the boss decides how employees will perform their jobs. How well an employee meets requirements set by the boss determines whether that employee succeeds or fails, receives rewards or penalties, and earns praise or criticism. On another level however, the judgment of an external boss isn't enough to make a job personally fulfilling and rewarding. That's something all employees of an organization decide for themselves.

The characteristics of personal accountability are the behaviors that connect the members of an organization. Employees who care about and enjoy their jobs stand out from the rest. They exhibit the characteristics of personal accountability. Do you?

Would you like to how to listen to your own inner boss? Check out the online course Working for Your Inner Boss: Personal Accountability found in the MyPath Knowledge Centerlibrary. In this course, you'll learn how to listen to your own inner boss, how to identify your internal standards, how to create a plan to meet those standards, and how to apply your inner boss's guidance to gain more control over your work, your goals, and your future.

This library of self-paced, online courses is available to all MyPath members for 30 days- with absolutely no additional commitment.

Are you ready find more time in your day? Visit the MyPath Knowledge Centerand start your free trial today!

A recently released 93-page report on online education conducted by the U.S. Department of Education came to the conclusion that "on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction."

The U.S. Department of Education performed a “study of studies” to come to this conclusion. The report compared the performance of students that did some or all of the courses online against the results of students that did the same courses in a classroom and this over a 12-year span and with a mixed group of students (K-12, college and even adult continuing-education) and courses (medical, military, ...).

The students who had some kind of e-learning would rank on average in the 59th percentile in the tests while the average classroom student score would be in the 50th percentile.

This result may be explained by several factors.

1. The blended e-learning often results in additional learning time because students find this kind of education more engaging and useful.

2. E-learning provides new instructional elements that are more difficult to use in classroom education (videos, collaboration ...)

3. Online education can be more tailored to the needs of individual students

What do you think?

For more information…

Response in the New York Times

Complete report from the US Department of Education

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Log in today to see how the reference library can help you build your knowledge problems and increase your productivity.

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Please enjoy this MyPath Community Member benefit!

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Have you used Books24x7 yet?   Either through the Knowledge Center trial or at your job?  Can you share more tips with the MyPath community?