First and foremost, project
management is a discipline. It is not an intuitive skill. You must study and
understand the fundamental rules to project management. Understanding the
fundamental discipline will assist in transitioning into a project management
role.
To help someone transition into a project management role
one needs to assist that individual with their leadership skills, such as
deciding what method of development their project will need, what the life
cycle of the current project is estimated to be, and figuring each goal in the
project so as to organize the teams after viewing the necessities of each goal
required by the project. At the same time they should learn to be constantly
vigilant of the three project constraints of project management, which are the scope, cost, and time required for the project.
I can think of a number of relevant points for discussion, that I would chart up, and implement in helping a Senior Tech shift over to project management...
ReplyDeleteI'd start with a simple interview, a discussion, make sure the candidate is informed, that they understand I'm considering them for a project management position, make sure they're clear on exactly what that position is and what it entails, see how they feel about that, make sure that they're willing (or better, motivated).
From there, I'd focus on reception and integration- setting up the candidate with someone who is already in that management position, having them work together for a period of time, during which the candidate would be tested, and given more and more responsibility, to ensure they understood the nature of the work, what it called for, and that they had the appropriate sense for making the best decisions on behalf of a project.
Finally, I'd start them off with a small project, something that I was almost certain would be easy for them, to help them build confidence, and solidify their thinking in the active role as a project manager.
I've done things like this many times, guided subordinates to positions of greater responsibility, trained and mentored them from knowing just a few things, to many things, and being independently able to manage and supervise and control effectively.
There are many effective methods of cultivating and nurturing management and leadership skill, facilitating the shift and transfer from worker to delegator. I know that the ones I've mentioned- those that I went through, and were taught to me- can be very effective, and employed fluidly in many different demanding environments.
Good! Pf. Forman
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