WHY STUDY PROJECT MANAGEMENT? Here s what you need to know about this dynamic career path.

Transcription

1 WHY STUDY PROJECT MANAGEMENT? Here s what you need to know about this dynamic career path.

2 INTRODUCTION Over 15.7 million project managers will need to be added to the global workforce by ~ The Project Management Institute As businesses become increasingly aware of the value of hiring skilled professionals to implement their strategic plans, the demand for skilled and knowledgeable project management professionals continues to rise significantly. However, the available resources in the job market do not match this rise in demand. The exciting consequence of that skills gap? The next few years present the perfect opportunity for interested individuals to enter the project management profession, as salaries are high and skilled professionals are scarce. CONTENTS: Chapter 1 What is project management? page 3 Chapter 2 Who is the ideal project manager? page 5 Chapter 3 What does it take to make it in page 8 project management? BONUS CONTENT: Hot skill, hard to find: Learn more about the global call for project managers in this article. Guide to Project Management Page 2

3 CHAPTER 1 WHAT IS PROJECT MANAGAMENT?

4 THE ATTRIBUTES OF ANY GIVEN PROJECT MIGHT INCLUDE: Project management is essentially a systematic and organised set of repeatable processes that bring order and efficiency to the execution of a project. ~ PricewaterhouseCoopers A start time An end time Uniqueness Uncertainty WHY IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUCH A POPULAR APPROACH? In today s tough market conditions, ensuring that a company s resources are utilised in a way that maximises efficiency is critical to its success and profitability. The increasing complexity of the modern workplace means that a specialised approach to project planning, resource allocation and cost management is necessary to avoid waste and to minimise risk. It is for this reason that the discipline of project management has become progressively valuable as a tool for managing the business operations of a wide cross-section of industries. A specific objective Usable resources SO... SHOULDN T WE ALL BE PROJECT MANAGERS? Stakeholders Whether or not you ve realised it yet, you re probably already a project manager. The global trend towards the projectisation of business functions is affecting organisations of all sectors and sizes. As a result, those who display an aptitude for planning and implementing projects of one kind or another are at an advantage when it comes to starting and growing sustainable businesses, or advancing to high-level management roles within a corporate career. Guide to Project Management Page 4

5 CHAPTER 2 WHO IS THE IDEAL PROJECT MANAGER?

6 4 PERSONALITY TRAITS ALL SUCCESSFUL PROJECT MANAGERS SHARE 1. HIGHLY ORGANISED 3. PROBLEM SOLVER 97% In a 2012 study of the global state of project management, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), 97% of the 1,524 respondents (managers and directors from a variety of industries) believed project management to be critical to business performance and organisational success. Managing a project involves keeping track of people, tasks, resources, money and schedules often dozens of each at a time. A project manager keeps track of all of these by keeping meticulous records, calendars and task lists, while simultaneously being flexible when crises arise. 2. DETAIL ORIENTED Project managers have to have a good sense of the big picture but, more vitally, must be able to focus on all the smallest details of a project at once. Good project managers know that big tasks can be broken up into smaller elements, but doing this means keeping track of many more fragments, resources and people. The ideal project manager is dedicated to solutions and outcomes, rather than strict protocols or procedures. Often, this involves coming up with alternative goals and means of achieving them if one path becomes impossible, and knowing when to push ahead or when to give up a losing battle. 4.REALISTIC AND PRAGMATIC Finally, a project manager must think idealistically, but plan realistically. In the real world, perfect projects never happen. A project manager must be able to plan out the risks and assess what can be achieved realistically with the time and resources at hand. Guide to Project Management Page 6

7 ARE PROJECT MANAGERS BORN OR MADE? Functional knowledge and technical expertise are always learned later in life, and are therefore not innate qualities. On the other hand, traits such as leadership skills, drive and determination, or grit, are usually present from birth and developed during adulthood. ACTION: Consider the following job advert, pulled from careers24.com. If you were to apply for this job right now, what do you think your chances of getting it would be? Which skills do you need to develop, and what can you already do? PROJECT MANAGER Western Cape, R Per Month Job Type: Permanent DUTIES: * Accountable for the smooth progression of development projects through the various phases, including requirements gathering, business and systems analysis, development, testing, and delivery. * Understand the project requirements and milestones, and the motivations for them, to be able to easily discern where milestones could be flexible if necessary. * Chair Daily Stand Up meetings, in which team members state what was achieved the previous day, what they intend to achieve that day, and any roadblocks that have arisen/are anticipated. * Ensure any roadblocks to project progression are swiftly resolved, coordinating resolution actions between relevant parties. * Identify and recommend ways in which the project management process could be improved or streamlined, and implement should these be agreed upon by the team as a whole. * Ensure a consistent flow of work while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to unexpected time-critical requirements. * Fully coordinate the launch of projects into the production environment through the Change Management Process. * Ensure stakeholders are regularly updated with project progression, including any roadblocks that have arisen, and any changes to the project milestones or delivery date. * Communicate significant project impediments, issues or concerns. * Ensure stakeholders are regularly updated with project progression, including any roadblocks that have arisen, and any changes to the project milestones or delivery date. REQUIREMENTS: * At least four years project management experience or equivalent. * Experience simultaneously co-ordinating multiple tasks from different sources while managing expectations. * Computer literate and familiar with Google Apps platform, such as Google Mail, Google Docs and Spreadsheets, and Google Calendar. * Experience with Agile methodologies advantageous. ATTRIBUTES: * Good time management * Confident and assertive * Responsible and reliable * Attention to detail * Organised and methodical * Passionate * Innovative * Excellent communication skills * Ability to work both independently and in a diverse team, within established procedures and policies * Ability to quickly grasp diverse project requirements and have good empathy with other departments needs and reasons for these needs/ requirements * Must have good poker skills - sense when people are lying or overemphasising unimportant issues * Ability to negotiate and build rapport WOULD YOU BE CONSIDERED FOR THE JOB? BONUS CONTENT: If you re ready to up your game, use this infographic to choose the right online project management programme for your career. Guide to Project Management Page 7

8 CHAPTER 3 WHAT DOES A CAREER IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT LOOK LIKE?

9 SKILLED PROJECT MANAGERS: IN DEMAND AND IN CONTROL 4th The W&RSETA s Job Opportunity Index cited project administrators as the 4th most scarce skill occupation in South Africa in A SKILLSET YOU CAN TRANSFER ACROSS INDUSTRIES Project management encompasses highly transferable skills: the ability to motivate a team to work cohesively towards a singular goal, gather information and resources, identify and solve problems, predict outcomes, create deadlines for deliverables, set goals, implement decisions, and execute tasks. ARE YOU CUT OUT FOR A CAREER IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT? Interested in becoming a project manager? You ll need to begin by assessing if you have the aptitude for this kind of work. Refer back to page 6 of this guide. HOW TO PURSUE A CAREER PATH IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT On a personal level, you can further your project management knowledge and skills by reading blogs, attending webinars presented by industry experts, and participating in LinkedIn project management groups. The smartest way to advance a career in this industry would be to establish yourself as a project manager in a formal, accredited capacity. Doing so will not only positively influence perceptions of your credibility in your workplace, but will also extend to the broader job market and open doors of possibility in a diverse range of industries. THE ULTIMATE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE FOR ASPIRING PROJECT MANAGERS? Above all, aspiring high-level project managers should formalise their qualifications in the field to safeguard the exciting possibility of a highly transferable career path. Investing in formal education and continuous professional development, while advancing a career in the industry, will give you the confidence to pursue a dynamic career path and encourage colleagues and superiors to turn to you for sound leadership and management insight. BONUS CONTENT: Here s an infographic round-up of the skills you should focus on developing. Guide to Project Management Page 9

10 REWARDING CHALLENGES, HIGH RETURNS, UPWARD MOBILITY 70% The Project Management Institute s 2011 global project management salary survey found that nearly 70% of organisations now have a career path for professionals skilled in project management practices. The high demand for individuals skilled in this area comes with equally high expectations employers looking to recruit a project manager are seeking professionals who possess formal training in the industry, and are finding value in sending their current employees on courses in order to develop these skills. The rise in the demand for skilled project managers is not just a global statistic. There is a pressing and urgent need for well-educated project managers across the different sectors in South Africa specifically, as illustrated by the generous salaries available for those interested in exploring project management as a career path. HOW TO POSITION YOURSELF AS ONE OF THESE HIGHLY VALUED INDIVIDUALS If you re interested in launching or advancing a career in this industry, formalising your project management skills with a recognised qualification is the route to go. The value of hands-on project management experience is exponentially increased when coupled with an official qualification from a respected tertiary institution. THE TOP 5 EARNING SECTORS FOR SKILLED PROJECT MANAGERS, ANNUALLY, IN SA ARE: BONUS CONTENT: To find out more about the components of a career in this lucrative industry, skim this infographic. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) R400,467 OPERATIONS R330,023 ENGINEERING R500,169 GENERAL BUSINESS R495,100 CONSTRUCTION R360,028 Guide to Project Management Page 10

11 3 ONLINE PROJECT MANAGEMENT UCT PROGRAMMES ON OFFER THE ONLINE UCT ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS PROJECT MANAGEMENT THE ONLINE UCT ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SHORT COURSE THE ONLINE UCT PROJECT MANAGEMENT FOUNDATIONS SHORT COURSE More than 970 people applied for the first presentation of the UCT online Advanced Diploma in Business Project Management last year. Owing to this overwhelming interest, UCT is kicking off the second presentation of this prestigious programme six months ahead of schedule - starting on the 24th of June, year, online and part-time Designed to help you secure your employment marketability with a recognised project management qualification from Africa s number one University. You ll learn the essentials of team dynamics, managing projects on time and within budget, as well as the practical application of the latest project management concepts, strategies and tactics directly to your workplace. This highly practical 12-week short course will provide you with the chance to deepen your project management skills and feel confident to address multi-layered considerations. Develop the skills needed to manage complex projects, broaden your scope, and elevate your project management approach. Extend your knowledge beyond the basic concepts of project management and walk away with a complete project plan applicable to your specific occupation. 12 weeks online 8-12 hours per week Learn to use the latest, most effective project management tools and techniques to make a noticeable difference in your organisation or business. Apply this transferrable skillset to your everyday work; whether you re planning a marketing campaign, creating a new product or planning an event - the ability to strategically manage projects is crucial to achieving better outcomes. 10 weeks online 7 hours per week DOWNLOAD INFORMATION PACK DOWNLOAD INFORMATION PACK DOWNLOAD INFORMATION PACK CONTACT Brendan Marsh Tel: [email protected] to find out how to apply, or visit commercepostgrad.uct.ac.za and download a programme information pack. CONTACT Tel: (ext. 400) [email protected] CONTACT Tel: (ext. 400) [email protected] Guide to Project Management Page 11

12 SAFEGUARD YOUR SUCCESS WITH A CAREER- FOCUSED EDUCATION FROM AFRICA S NUMBER ONE UNIVERSITY: GETSMARTER.CO.ZA