One can barely catch their breath with the breakneck pace at which the world is currently moving.
In the past couple of years, multiple career paths have gained traction. Said paths are going to increase in relevance as the 2020s take shape, leaving the general populace with no other choice than to gain a basic understanding of some of these paths.
While tech-related careers continue to strengthen their hold on the trend list, you can expand your options by gaining some insight into the field of project management.
Project management is an field which will never cease to be relevant. After all, projects are of various types and people will always embark on projects.
For full clarity, a project may be defined as a venture embarked upon with the end goal of yielding a specific outcome.
Construction projects are perhaps the most conventional conception of projects due to the fact that they yield very conspicuous deliverables: a building or other structure like a bridge or a dam.
Whatever form a project takes, it must produce a deliverable: a product, service or result. A project must also have a defined commencement date and conclusion date. A project must also be temporary or time-bound.
Essentially, project management entails the application of knowledge, techniques and expertise to projects for the purpose of meeting or surpassing the needs of stakeholders.
There are specific phases or stages in project management. The most elementary or fundamental phase may be described as the conceptualisation phase.
This is where the project is conceived, coupled with the determination of the specific objectives or end goals sought to be attained by the project. The roles of project personnel are determined and qualified persons are appointed to these positions.
The conceptualisation phase is followed by the planning stage. This is where the plans are laid out and explained in detail. Every single activity to be executed towards the actualisation of the project is clearly defined and the executors are determined.
The project budget is also determined at this stage, coupled with an assessment of risk. This is followed by the execution phase, where the actual or substantive work is carried out. The costs of this phase are assessed in the performance and control phase. Finally, given that everything must have an end, all projects must formally be closed in the closing phase.
Nothing significant can be achieved without routine and a clearly defined structure, which is why project management is crucial. Project management also ensures the maximal utilisation of resources and fosters accountability on all team members.
Project management, especially when done right, minimises the risk of a project failing. Furthermore, project management sees to the satisfaction of both the stakeholders and the primary beneficiaries of the project.
As is the case with a handful of other professions, a project manager must have a portfolio. To get started in this field, one needs to obtain a certification.
The leading certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, the examination of which can be taken in the comfort of one’s home. There is also the Professional in Project Management (PPM) certification course.
Paying for these certification courses, preparing for the examinations, passing the examinations and seeking out foundational roles in project management is the default trajectory for a budding project manager.
Discussion about this post