As a program manager, you are responsible for overseeing multiple projects and ensuring they align with your organization's strategic goals. But how do you keep up with the ever-changing industry trends and best practices that affect your work? Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your game and deliver value to your stakeholders.
One of the best ways to learn from your peers and experts is to join professional networks and communities related to program management. You can find online forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, newsletters, and social media groups that cover topics such as methodologies, tools, frameworks, standards, and best practices. You can also participate in discussions, ask questions, share insights, and get feedback from other program managers. This will help you expand your knowledge, network, and perspective.
Engage in industry-specific forums, LinkedIn groups, or online communities. Participate actively by sharing insights, asking questions, and networking with peers. Exchange ideas and experiences with professionals facing similar challenges.
Program managers can stay up-to-date by joining professional networks, participating in online communities, and enrolling in relevant courses. Reading industry publications, listening to podcasts, and attending webinars provide insights. Benchmarking against industry standards, engaging in mentorship, and collaborating cross-functionally are essential. Following blogs, staying informed on technology, and considering surveys and reports help track trends. Customizing this approach ensures a well-rounded understanding of industry dynamics.
Join relevant professional networks and industry communities to engage, share and network for self improvement and knowledge acquisition. As the adage goes, a problem shared is a problem half solved. Sharing our experiences and challenges open us to new possibilities, knowledge and resources.
Another way to stay updated and informed is to attend relevant conferences and events, either in person or online. You can find opportunities to hear from industry leaders, keynote speakers, panelists, and practitioners who share their experiences, challenges, and solutions. You can also network with other attendees, exchange ideas, and discover new trends and opportunities. Some examples of popular program management conferences and events are the PMI Global Conference, the Gartner Program & Portfolio Management Summit, and the Agile Alliance Agile2020.
Attend industry conferences, seminars, and workshops. Participate in panel discussions, keynote speeches, and networking sessions. Stay informed about emerging trends, new technologies, and best practices.
Reading books and articles is a classic but effective way to enhance your program management skills and knowledge. You can find books and articles that cover various aspects of program management, such as planning, execution, governance, risk management, stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership. You can also find case studies, best practices, tips, and tricks that can help you improve your performance and solve problems. Some examples of recommended books and articles for program managers are The Program Management Office Advantage by Lia Tjahjana, Paul Dwyer, and Mohsin Habib, The Standard for Program Management by the Project Management Institute, and 7 Habits of Highly Effective Program Managers by Susanne Madsen.
Subscribe to industry-related publications, journals, and magazines. Follow influential blogs, websites, and newsletters for timely updates. Consider books written by industry leaders or experts for in-depth knowledge.
Taking courses and certifications is another way to update your program management skills and knowledge. You can find online or offline courses and certifications that cover different levels, domains, and methodologies of program management. You can also find courses and certifications that focus on specific skills or tools that are relevant to your work, such as agile, Scrum, Kanban, Lean, Microsoft Project, Jira, etc. Some examples of popular courses and certifications for program managers are the Program Management Professional (PgMP) by the Project Management Institute, the MSP Foundation and Practitioner by Axelos, and the Agile Program Management by Udemy.
Enroll in online or in-person courses relevant to your field. Pursue certifications to validate and update your skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or industry-specific institutions often offer specialized courses.
Finally, one of the best ways to stay up-to-date and improve your program management skills and knowledge is to seek feedback and mentoring from others. You can ask for feedback from your stakeholders, sponsors, team members, customers, and other program managers on your performance, strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. You can also seek mentoring from senior or experienced program managers who can guide you, coach you, and share their wisdom and advice. This will help you learn from your mistakes, successes, and challenges, and grow as a program manager.
I would definitely say that getting feedback or a review of our processes will give us more perspectives. We need to take assurance audit time as opportunity for someone to review and highlight improvement in our processes. If possible we should invite senior program heads to review our processes and request them to provide their suggestions.
Engage with mentors or advisors who have extensive industry experience. Request feedback from peers, colleagues, or supervisors on your strategies. Exchange insights and seek advice to refine your approach to program management.
Capacitarnos en temas como la gestión de activos empresariales es fundamental para la optimización de recursos, tratar situaciones de mantenimiento, modernización y análisis de datos aunque no parezca pueden ahorrar hasta un 30 % en procesos productivos.
Podcasts and Webinars: Listen to industry-specific podcasts or attend webinars for convenient updates and discussions. Networking Events: Attend local meetups, mixers, or professional gatherings to connect with industry professionals. Industry Reports and Research: Stay updated on market research reports and studies relevant to your field. Collaborate with Other Departments: Interact with departments like R&D or Marketing to understand cross-functional impacts and developments. Experimentation and Pilots: Implement small-scale trials or pilots of emerging technologies or methodologies within your program to gain firsthand experience.