Following on from Brad Egeland's new article, Spreading the PM Knowledge, what are your thoughts for best creating a mentoring and learning environment among your PM ranks? Do you have successful examples you can share? Or even thoughts on what hasn't worked in the past and should be avoided?
Let's discuss.
Duncan
Spreading the PM Knowledge - Let's Discuss
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begeland
Thanks Duncan. I'm going to jump in here. I'm a supporter of focusing on ensuring your PMO or PM infrastructure has several very experienced project managers (depending, of course, on the size of your company and PM needs). Certified PMs are great to have, but I would avoid trying to build your PM infrastructure just on the basis of a particular PM certification. Thankfully, that seems to be a thing of the past...if recent trends in postings and hirings is any indication.
This type of approach makes it a perfect environment for new PMs to enter or for more junior PMs to be hired on and gain experience either along side more experienced PMs or on smaller projects with much involvement and support from the PMO and the rest of the project management team. Great environment for mentoring. Most of the PM infrastructures I've been involved with have gone this route and it has been helpful. Where most have failed is either poor exec support or poor leadership at the PMO director level.
Brad
This type of approach makes it a perfect environment for new PMs to enter or for more junior PMs to be hired on and gain experience either along side more experienced PMs or on smaller projects with much involvement and support from the PMO and the rest of the project management team. Great environment for mentoring. Most of the PM infrastructures I've been involved with have gone this route and it has been helpful. Where most have failed is either poor exec support or poor leadership at the PMO director level.
Brad