Contract PM - good idea ?

[KathyWoolfe]

I would think it's better to stay permie in the forthcoming environment. It's not going to be easy come 2008/9.

Well you would say that wouldn't you?

[Dow Jones]

Alternatively

Or maybe ex-contractors that wanted to try what it's like on the 'other side'.
Life is all about choices, not set in stone or black/white.

[tay]

People who work for consultancies are just people who dont have the guts or intelligence to go contracting.

I loath consultancies.

[NotAllThere]

So here I am, a permie PM ( 9 yrs ) for a consultancy, as part of the HR year end they've forced everyone to update their CV's. Hey I look like a contractor, plenty of sectors, technology and methodologies, 6 months money in the bank ( not from my permie salary !) sounds like a great time to turn to the darkside ;-) , or perhaps I may have seen the light

Seems to be mixed views on the outlook at the moment, should I or shouldn't I ?

Oh and Prince 2 ( delivered about 5 Prince projects not got the piece of paper though ) or APM - any real value in these ?

If after nine years you've not made partner, I suggest you switch careers. Freelancing sounds like a good plan.

btw - it's turning from the darkside.

[Dow Jones]

No thanks!

If I can't see something, it's a x not a v.
Good reply though.

[ChimpMaster]

Agree with 1, 2, 3 & 5
Disagree with 4, 6, 7 & 8

Listen mate, 8 was true - my lunch was here but it's gone now, right. If you wanna to see it again give me a few hours and I'll pop it on yer desk eh.

[Xenophon]

There is a distinct lack of good PMs in the current market

I'll be looking for a new gig in the new year so this statement will be slightly less true then.

[HYpno27]

Then again, working for a consultancy is much the same as being a contractor, except for the following:
1. You get less money
2. You get told where to go for work and have no choice in the matter
3. You have to take carp from clients about how tulipe the x is (x=anything they believe your company is responsible for)
4. You are owned by the consultancy
5. You work your nuts off all year to get a 5% bonus
6. I hate consultancies
7. I will never work for a consultancy again
8. My lunch is here.

Ditto

Also - When I did the Prince2 Practitioner course, all the people on it wanted the piece of paper for the c.v. (me included) and ended up having a few heated debates with the instructor about how you would really do it

[Dow Jones]

Taz: only 50% right

Agree with 1, 2, 3 & 5
Disagree with 4, 6, 7 & 8

[ChimpMaster]

I would think it's better to stay permie in the forthcoming environment. It's not going to be easy come 2008/9.

Then again, working for a consultancy is much the same as being a contractor, except for the following:
1. You get less money
2. You get told where to go for work and have no choice in the matter
3. You have to take crap from clients about how tulipe the x is (x=anything they believe your company is responsible for)
4. You are owned by the consultancy
5. You work your nuts off all year to get a 5% bonus
6. I hate consultancies
7. I will never work for a consultancy again
8. My lunch is here.

[Dow Jones]

Go for it

There is a distinct lack of good PMs in the current market, hence a lot of contractors have come in lately.
Prince 2 is widely used in most Gov't/NHS projects, rest of the industry needs more experienced than 'certified' PMs.
A piece of paper is meaningless if you haven't got a clue about a real-life project. Having said that ECNIRP sounds more like the other way round, ie putting practice ideas into theory

[Churchill]

Spend the money for your Ecnirp certification. Then go freelance...

[BrowneIssue]

There's plenty of room on this bench. I'll move up and make room for you if you like.

[DW12]

So here I am, a permie PM ( 9 yrs ) for a consultancy, as part of the HR year end they've forced everyone to update their CV's. Hey I look like a contractor, plenty of sectors, technology and methodologies, 6 months money in the bank ( not from my permie salary !) sounds like a great time to turn to the darkside ;-) , or perhaps I may have seen the light

Seems to be mixed views on the outlook at the moment, should I or shouldn't I ?

Oh and Prince 2 ( delivered about 5 Prince projects not got the piece of paper though ) or APM - any real value in these ?