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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

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?

Let’s say you need to add some pop to your resume and you need it as quickly as possible.  You don’t have time to earn that degree just yet, the job market is tight and you’re looking for an edge and/or you just want to update and sharpen your skills.  Here are five fairly quick things you can do to add some pop to your resume.

Certify

If there is an industry standard that leads to a form of certification such as what you often find in IT, such as a CPA, PMP, etc. that you are qualified for in your career field of choice, go ahead and certify.  It may be time consuming and somewhat expensive in the short run, but not compared to a second degree.  You can also start looking at diversifying your skill set.  For example if you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) you can perhaps supplement this with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification as well.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Earning a certificate of completion is different than certifying. A certificate of completion is often either academic or professional training in a wide variety of fields. Everything from liberal arts to military intelligence to hotel management can be found in this category.  The price can range everywhere from around a hundred bucks to many thousands of dollars depending upon where you go, how the course is delivered and the purpose of the certificate.

Take focused courses

Taking focused courses where you can raise your knowledge and even print a transcript is a great way to expand your skill set and can be done relatively inexpensively and fast.  In some cases you can even take the courses for free.  The trick here is to build a portfolio of work where an interested employer may be able to see you’ve done and what you’re capable of.  Perhaps you can add a “skills” section on your resume and place them there.  If you get asked how you learned these skills you have a lead into an interesting conversation.

Volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to build experience when you have relatively little to none.  Maybe you haven’t gained that management position because you’ve never managed anything.  Volunteer organizations may welcome the skills that you do have and appreciate your eagerness to learn more.

Become a part of a project

Lastly, if you have a job already start looking for projects that will push your skill set further and force you to grow.  Often there are many project teams that need more people to help out, especially in unfunded projects.  Not only can you list these on your resume but it is a great way to network and build experience.

I hope these tips help. Do you have others you would like to add? Please share some creative ways you have enhanced your resume.

The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.

            Herbert Spencer (1820- 1903)