What do you do if your promotion hinges on improving your Supplier Sourcing project management skills?

1 Assess your current skills

The first step is to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a Supplier Sourcing project manager. You can use a self-assessment tool, such as the Project Management Skills Assessment (PMSA), to evaluate your knowledge, skills, and abilities in different areas of project management. The PMSA covers topics such as planning, communication, risk management, stakeholder management, and leadership. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, suppliers, and customers to get a different perspective on your performance.

2 Set SMART goals

The next step is to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for your improvement. For example, you might want to improve your negotiation skills, reduce your project costs by 10%, or increase your supplier satisfaction ratings by 20%. You should also identify the actions, resources, and indicators that will help you achieve your goals. For example, you might enroll in a negotiation course, use a cost-benefit analysis tool, or conduct regular supplier surveys.

3 Learn from the best

The third step is to learn from the best practices and examples of successful Supplier Sourcing project managers. You can read books, articles, blogs, and case studies on Supplier Sourcing project management. You can also join online communities, forums, and networks where you can exchange ideas, tips, and experiences with other professionals. You can also seek a mentor or coach who can guide you, advise you, and challenge you to grow.

4 Apply your learning

The fourth step is to apply your learning to your current and future Supplier Sourcing projects. You should try to implement the new techniques, tools, and strategies that you have learned as soon as possible. You should also monitor and measure the impact of your changes on your project outcomes and processes. You should also document and share your results, challenges, and lessons learned with your boss, team, and stakeholders.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

The fifth step is to seek feedback and improvement on your Supplier Sourcing project management skills. You should ask for constructive criticism and suggestions from your boss, team, suppliers, and customers. You should also review your own performance and reflect on what went well and what can be improved. You should also celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your progress. You should also update your goals and action plans based on your feedback and improvement.

6 Keep learning and growing

The final step is to keep learning and growing as a Supplier Sourcing project manager. You should never stop seeking new knowledge, skills, and opportunities to improve your Supplier Sourcing project management skills. You should also keep track of the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in Supplier Sourcing. You should also network with other Supplier Sourcing project managers and learn from their experiences and insights. You should also challenge yourself to take on more complex and diverse Supplier Sourcing projects.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?