Any Project Managers out there?

[Roosterrusek]

If there are, I am wondering if you could (or anyone for that matter) recommend a good training software set that could do a few things...

First, give me a good in depth working knowledge of MS Project?

Second, give me a more concentrated training base for becoming a Project Manager.

Mostly I am looking to increase me skill-set and do it in the most efficient manner. I have done planning for many different IT projects, planned extensive (over 400 members) conferences and organized the soup to nuts technical aspects of such a conference. I am currently an IT guy with networking skills, I act as the trainer for my law-firm here in Atlanta, I diagnose all of the Blackberry issues, I do most of the Lotus Notes problem resolving and frequently juggle multiple tasks that involve the sensitive needs of attorneys and their respective clients.

As you can probably deduce, I am looking to change my career position. I love my job, but it is time for me to stretch out and make use of my "considerable set of people skills and technical planning abilities". That's the quote from my boss, our office manager and HR rep. There really is no place else for me to go up here at my Firm, so I am looking to move / go up / increase my responsibilities and obviously increase my salary. I believe some more formal training on Project Manager classes or software would only increase my attractiveness to a potential employer.

So, thoughts? Types of jobs I should shoot for? Softwares or classes I could take and anyone know of jobs here in Atlanta for what I am describing above? And yes, I have had managerial experience in the past...

Thanks folks...

Paulie

[id10t]

Sending you a pm here in a few minutes

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Get good w/ Project (or better still, Primavera).

You could look at PMP certification but personally I think it's worthless and a waste of money. YMMV. Some places care about stuff like that.

[Seahawk]

Take some courses in Systems Engineering, then some courses in Finance.

It always comes down to cost, schedule and performance as a Program Manager.

Always.

Understand the required system performance, the risks associated, the costs of potential risks on your baseline budget (based on good bases of estimate), and the impact on schedule should the whole thing stub a toe.

It is Fellini on acid.

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

You could look at PMP certification but personally I think it's worthless and a waste of money. YMMV. Some places care about stuff like that.

My title is Senior IT Program Manager - I work downtown in the phone company's building you can see right next to the Varsity at 75/85.

I got my PMP a couple of years ago, mainly as resume fodder. The company pays for the yearly membership dues (~$120 - PMI.org) and they also paid for the test (maybe $400?). To keep it current, you must maintain 60PDU's over 3 years.

[L8Brakr]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Take some courses in Systems Engineering, then some courses in Finance.

It always comes down to cost, schedule and performance as a Program Manager.

Always.

Agreed....except you forgot a defined scope of work. Scope-creep has been the downfall of many project managers, especially in a consulting or service oriented project. Change of scope=Change Order.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by L8Brakr

Agreed....except you forgot a defined scope of work. Scope-creep has been the downfall of many project managers, especially in a consulting or service oriented project. Change of scope=Change Order.

Yup. Correct. The acid part

I see you have done this before.

[MotoSook]

Don't take this the wrong way, but is PM really what you want to do? Sounds to me like perhaps sales is where you belong given what you have posted.

If you haven't worked with project managers or worked as a project engineer, you may have the wrong idea of what a project manager does (and whether you'll enjoy it).

A good project manager is more than a good coordinator.

[Icemaster]

Souk's right.

To answer your question directly, MSProject is going to be needed, you can pick that training up anywhere. I believe I have some stuff that I used to teach still floating around that I'd be willing to share with you - PM me.

I got my PM cert in 04, it resulted in a lot more job opportunities at the senior level and about 35% higher pay over someone who doesnt have one. It's good for getting you in the door, however I've had PMP's that worked for me who couldn't manage to put the toilet seat down to keep their asses from getting wet - once you get the cert, you still need to be able to perform at a high level, the cert wont guarantee you that. What it does is give you the background and understanding of the basic tools. PMI's got a lot of info on their site.

One key thing to remember though is that being an effective PM is about 15% science, 35% communication skills, and 50% relationship. Putting a pretty project plan together in Primavera or Project wont do you crap if you don't know how to manage the people and learn to see around corners.

When I hire PM's, those are the keys I'm looking for. How well can you communicate; how well can you lead, facilitate and build consensus, and handle conflict; how well do you know the fundamentals of PM.

If you want to stay in IT (best paying...) make sure that you understand the different approaches to PM (RUPP, SCRUM, Waterfall etc), as well as the two basic areas that you would be involved in (infrastructure or software development). You sound like you'd be comfortable starting out in the infrastructure area, I'd focus there.

When I found people that also have a fundamental knowledge of IT as well, such as understanding the difference between an LPAR and VMWare instance or an OC3 and a T1, that's a healthy value-add that they bring to the table. I always approached my job such that I was the BS detector. I didn't need to be the subject matter expert, but I did need to know when someone was talking crap.

It takes a strong personality and a lot of finesse, and a lot of discipline.

One of the most important things to learn ties in with Seahawks points - above all else, learn how to mange expectations. Second most important, document document document - archive every email. You'll thank me later.

I've been doing this for a while and I'd be glad to talk with you in person if you want. PM me and we can set something up.