How do you plan your career path in project implementation?

??Assess your current skills and identify gaps relevant to project management. ??Set clear career goals that align with your passions and industry trends. ??Invest in continuous learning through certifications, courses, and workshops. ??Network with industry professionals to gain insights and mentorship. ??Seek projects that challenge and develop your desired skills. ??Regularly review and adjust your career path based on market demand and personal growth. ??Leverage performance feedback to refine your approach and strategies.

For me, the first step is understand if you want to work in project implementation, because de nature of this work is very different than a regular job. In a project you have a start and a finish date, is not a continuous job. You have some phases in a project, where you will face different goals, deliverables, and workload. It is not a routine, is much more dynamic and faster. If the answer is Yes, then you can look for formal capacitation, project management certification, knowing PM methodologies and start to work in a project, in a junior position, to have on the job training.

Often times you have worked on projects before in past roles and you might just have a hard time putting it in your resume and into words to capture the effect you have had on your org, if you find yourself working on a lot of process improvement tasks or taking on projects for clients outside of your normal job duties and it’s bringing you joy- chase that and recognize you would be a good PM or implementation expert.

One who needs to get into projects should be aware that a project is a temporary endeavour. It is like a flying a plane. You have to reach a point, utilising the available fuel and climatic conditions. There is a predefined destination, and predefined time. The question one should ask one's self is 'Do I have the passion, the focus, and the skills to fly the plane and arrive safely 'on time'. It's important to be aware of this temporary endeavour because many a times individuals, who are used to the run of the mill routine jobs, fail to get a hang of the time factor which is a very important dimension. This leads to lack of focus and urgency that is very much needed to deliver a project successfully.

My skills align seamlessly with the dynamic requirements of the garment industry. I am alumni of India's top Fashion collage (NIFT) so I have a good background in product knowledge I have 7 years of experience in IT and garment industries. Proficient in streamlining processes, integrating software solutions, and ensuring efficient SAAS deployment, I bring a comprehensive understanding of both technology and industry intricacies. Eager to contribute my expertise, I am well-equipped to drive successful project outcomes in the fast-paced realm of manufacturing industries.

Here we face a trick question – In project implementation, is better to be a generalist or a specialist? And in my opinion, there is no right or wrong way. You can choose to be a specialist in financial or human resource software implementation projects, and a generalist in terms of industry or sector knowledge. Or you can be a specialist in sustainability implementation in natural resource segment. And look towards the future, we will see a huge need for AI or GenAI implementation specialists.

My Educational background includes Apparel technologist & and expert in the Apparel industries sector along with that I have 5 year of experience in IT ERP company as in Implementation & and techno-functional consultant

Autoavalia??o: Avalie suas habilidades, interesses e valores. Entenda onde você se destaca e onde pode precisar de mais desenvolvimento. Isso inclui habilidades técnicas e interpessoais, bem como seu estilo de trabalho e objetivos profissionais.

A good way to do this would be to find similarities between your skills and background and what industry you are trying to go after. It’s okay if you want to move into a PM role at a fintech company if you are a teacher for example but you will need to be able to speak to the “why” & your experience, maybe you started a finance blog, maybe you made a budget tracker for all your teachers etc.

Besides the hard skills we need to develop to be a project manager in implementations, the soft skills play a fundamental role just like your network. I used a lot my professional network, to connect with some local Subject Matter Experts, PM colleagues and teachers. I like to combine this professional perspective with an academic perspective to have a broader point of view. Participation in the local PMI chapter is another way to create a solid network with other project managers.

I maintain a strong network with my college alumni and boast over 3400 followers on LinkedIn. Regularly, I share insightful blogs on my profile on a weekly basis. Additionally, I have had the privilege of conducting numerous guest lecture sessions in NIFT colleges. These experiences not only enhance my professional visibility but also contribute to my continuous learning and engagement within the academic and professional community.

Certifications in my field were crucial to my success in the workplace. I improved my skillset, credibility, and employability by earning certifications in areas like Project Management (PMP), Program Management (PgMP), Operations Excellence?(ASQ CSSBB), Database and systems?Administration?(Microsoft), and Manufacturing?Design?(Solidworks). These credentials improved my marketability and gave me access to a wider range of project and program management positions. I've also benefited from expanding my knowledge and my circle of contacts, both of which have helped me to achieve further success. Therefore, get certified in your field of choice to advance in your job and keep up with the competitive business world.

I started my project implementation journey with “on the job training”, in a consultant company, passing from consultant to project manager. But I combined this profession experience with workshops, local PMI chapter meetings and formal courses, including a master’s degree in PM and the PMP certification from PMI. And of course, a lot of sessions with senior project / program managers to get feedback and lessons learned.

Certifications plays a crucial part. When I decided to be a project manager, I started with theory. I completed Google Project management Certification followed by PMI-CAPM. That cleared my thought process and I got a roadmap to follow. Then let your personality take it over. Start implementing the theories to practical world. Learn from your mistakes and keep learning!

In my journey to excel in project implementation and project management, I've prioritized professional development and certification. I've actively engaged in courses, and workshops to refine my skills and deepen my knowledge. Securing certifications, including prestigious ones like PMP and RMP from the Project Management Institute (PMI). Moreover, mastering tools like Primavera P6 and project controls has become a cornerstone of my skill set, enabling me to effectively plan and execute projects.

With professional communities like Linked In, it's easy to get caught up in the misconception that you're falling behind. Avoid the urge to compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on your desired outcomes, then identify specific steps to progress towards these goals. Focus on the tasks that are within your control. Consistency is key. Find someone you trust to be your accountability partner. Bonus points if this person is on a similar path.

Over the past year, I've successfully executed over 50 factory implementation projects, showcasing my hands-on experience. My track record is reinforced by multiple achievement certificates. Currently, I'm actively engaged in a groundbreaking digital transformation project within the garment industry in India. This ongoing endeavor not only underscores my commitment to innovation but also highlights my ability to navigate and drive positive change in complex industrial settings.

When you are part of a consultant company you have continuous performance evaluation process, and we have at least one formal evaluation per project. This is a very good indicator about your learning, success, and failures. This formal process together continuous feedback from senior project managers are very useful for your career path.

Hard skills like formal capacitation, project management certification is important for a career path in project implementation, but don’t forget the soft skills like communication, empathy, rapport, feedback, team building, emotional intelligence and others – Project management is about people, and people can make your project a big fail or a huge success.

Implementation involves numerous challenges, ranging from resource constraints and tight schedules to unforeseen technical hurdles. Managing diverse teams, aligning stakeholders, and maintaining clear communication are persistent challenges. Adapting to evolving project scopes and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems problem-solving skills. Additionally, external factors such as market shifts or regulatory changes can impact project dynamics. Effective risk mitigation, strategic planning, and proactive issue resolution are vital. Successful project implementation requires a dynamic approach, where adaptability, collaboration, and a solution-oriented mindset are paramount to overcoming challenges and ensuring project success.

Implementing projects is like navigating a maze of challenges, including resource constraints, tight schedules, team management, stakeholder alignment, and communication. Success requires flexibility, collaboration, proactive problem-solving, and a solution-oriented mindset.

Hard skills like formal capacitation, project management certification is important for a career path in project implementation, but don’t forget the soft skills like communication, empathy, rapport, feedback, team building, emotional intelligence and others – Project management is much more about people, and people can make your project a big fail or a huge success.

I understand that our project implementation / project management is a never end learning journey – We always need to be up to date with new trends and technologies. There is always something new to apply, like AI and GenAI.