Project Managers - I need your input please

[bluetoaster]

Let's take a step back here. How do you propose to get in to the project management sector? Get PRINCE? If so you are on a wish and prayer. PRINCE is a checkbox for agents and clients. It is not a differentiator as to whether or not you get the gig. They just put it on there to sort candidates easily. You will get the gig based on experience and your demonstrated ability to PM. There are many many PM's on the bench with decades of experience so thinking this course will get you in is going to leave you very disappointed.

+1

PRINCE2 and/or PMI PMP tick the qualification box and agencies use them as a first line filter. However what people look for is experience. The PM market is oversubscribed and before landing my current gig I was finding agents were getting 200+ applications within a few hours for anything with project manager written on it. What will set you apart is business sector or technology knowledge rather than being a generic PM.

[tomtomagain]

Let's take a step back here. How do you propose to get in to the project management sector?

That's a big topic in it's own right. How do you switch from one profession to another as a contractor?

Here's what I would do.

Get a contract using your current skills, for example a .NET developer, but look for contracts that are big enough to require a *real* project manager - something that has at least a dozen people working on it, budget in the high 100'sK or the low millions.


Once you are on that project .... approach the PM saying "I really would like to become a PM. Is there anything I can do for you to help me get experience?"

One of the biggest challenges of being a PM is ensuring you have a go-to-guy ( or gal ) who will take on and do all the things that are thrown at you ...... and if you are running a big enough project then believe me you get a lot of stuff hurled at you.

[northernladuk]

Once you are on that project .... approach the PM saying "I really would like to become a PM. Is there anything I can do for you to help me get experience?"
.

I would advise caution using this approach. You will have to have a bloody excellent relationship with your PM in to a personal level to make sure this doesn't come back and bite you in the ass. It is possible they may not take too kindly to this as you are an expensive resource that has been taken on to do a dedicated bit of work. Some PM's could see it is a very cheeky request at best.

I would also point out that your IR35 status goes for a burton at the point he says 'Yes you could do.....' as you are in direct control of the client not doing what is in your schedule.

[tomtomagain]

Each situation is different and you have to make the call yourself.

I don't think you should use the "IR35" excuse for not attempting to take on additional responsibilities. Switching skill-set is not easy and does require you to take a risk. You might even have to become a permie!

If you don't actively look to take on new skills as a contractor you will find yourself in the classic contractors trap ..... doing exactly the same role as you did 15 years ago, bored out of your mind, but unable to get a different role because your CV just says "developer, developer, developer" and your salary expectations are way beyond the level you would get using a new skill set.

... of course it may well be that the current PM tries to put you back in your technical box but my experience of being a PM is that well motivated, intelligent and enthusiastic people ( whether permie, contractor or consultants ) are hard to find and they are the difference between a successful project and a failure.

But as alluded to earlier in this thread by others it would be hard to jump straight from one role into a PM role, whether or not you had PMP, Prince2 or the OU degree without being able to demonstrate real tangible project management experience.

I have taken on contract developers for whom working on my project was their first contract ( lovely to see their little faces light up when they finally figure out what £400 per day really means!)

But I would balk at putting a newbie in charge of project.

[bluetoaster]

As a contract PM I selfishly have little interest in developing others and take people on to deliver certain tasks, it is something I did as a permie.

To be honest I have little stock with people that move straight into project management without working their way into the role and I've seen many people fail at it by trying to do that. I started as a developer, progressed into analysis then technical team lead which incorporated project leading, then into a development manager role that required project management, from there into more pure project management then portfolio management. I did that as a permie.

I wouldn't take on inexperienced people as a contractor PM, maybe for project admin roles. If the OP is technical today I'd suggest looking for technical team lead roles that puts him closed to the PM, or going permie for a few years to take advantage of a corporate career path.

[tomtomagain]

I started as a developer, progressed into analysis then technical team lead which incorporated project leading, then into a development manager role that required project management, from there into more pure project management then portfolio management. I did that as a permie.

That is exactly the same route I took.

[Old Greg]

That is exactly the same route I took.

I started off as a business change person outside of IT, then got into business change in I.T. with a bit of config thrown in and then got into a PM role that needed my niche skills.

I still have to nod wisely anytime someone starts talking about servers or networks.

[kevpuk]

....nod wisely anytime someone starts talking about <insert your choice of tech/terminology here>

Ah, the primary skill of a good contractor....

[cojak]

I still have to nod wisely anytime someone starts talking about servers or networks.

I throw in the odd bit of chin stroking as well if it goes on too long. Just before I start pinching myself to stay awake...

[Old Greg]

I throw in the odd bit of chin stroking as well if it goes on too long. Just before I start pinching myself to stay awake...

I do also like to clarify whether the risks of the proposed approach are fully understood.