by D.X. » Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:10 am
Hi,
I would just add, unless you really plan to be a Project Manager and grow in Project Management, I don't think you need a course.
As Dustin said, alot of Project management is experience-based and usually implimented per need and tailored accordingly.
The biggest risk you take in taking such course in the Absence of experience is that you may walk out and try to apply an over-engineered a Project Management Approach that does not serve the Need for the Project or program being managed - first rule of Project Management from a real-world perspective: Keep it simple. If you don't adapt and tailor, then the consequence can be lost crediblity, others will not follow you.
There are some fundamentals elements Ana spoke to, but in reality do what you Need to get the Project done - a bit of common sense goes a Long way. Key aspects include know what you're trying to achieve, get everyone aligned, define what success Looks like and then start in with your "what's", your "who", with what resources, by "when", and identify your risks, and have good documentation and tracking (keep it simple)......you're on your way.
If your not a defined Project Manager or have a dedicated Project Manager to support you, - then you don't want to have Project Management be a second job when you need to deliver against objectives. Back to Keep it simple.
Some self-learning is OK and many resources are on the Internet. If you want to learn some free fundamentals, look up HERMES - it is a free, in English, Project Management program with supporting tutorials, excell templates, PPTs, provided by the Swiss government. It was developed for Setting up an IT infrastructure - I believe its 6 or 5 process steps, each with the granular steps. Just spend some time getting top-Level familar with it, and you'll get the essentials of PM Approach - its highly organized and engineered for a big Project but the elements can be extracted and applied to less orgnaized or
engineered needs.
Not to negate the need for good Project management skills but the success factors for good Project Management also aligned to good leadership skills - alot of Project management is working with people and aligning them and having them commit THIER resources (time, Budget, FTEs etc.) - if you want a company to invest in you, better have them pay for leadership development course work such as soft-skills, active-listening, conflict-resolution and presentation faciliation. All applicable to Project Management.
Good luck!
DX