What do you do if your career development plan in Project Management is not progressing?

1 Assess your situation

The first step is to take a honest look at your current situation and identify the root causes of your lack of progress. Are you facing external factors, such as a lack of opportunities, support, or feedback in your organization? Or are you struggling with internal factors, such as a lack of skills, confidence, or motivation? Be specific and realistic about what is holding you back and how it affects your career development plan.

3 Seek feedback and support

The third step is to seek feedback and support from others who can help you with your career development. Feedback is essential for learning and improving your project management skills and performance. You can ask for feedback from your manager, peers, mentors, or clients on your strengths, weaknesses, areas of improvement, and career aspirations. Support is also important for overcoming challenges and staying motivated. You can seek support from your network, professional associations, online communities, or coaches who can offer you advice, guidance, or opportunities.

4 Learn and grow

The fourth step is to continuously learn and grow as a project manager. Learning is not only about acquiring new knowledge and skills, but also about applying them to your projects and reflecting on your outcomes. You can learn from various sources, such as books, courses, podcasts, blogs, webinars, or events. You can also learn from your own experiences, successes, and failures. Growth is about expanding your horizons, taking on new challenges, and stepping out of your comfort zone. You can grow by seeking new roles, responsibilities, or projects that align with your career goals and interests.

5 Celebrate your achievements

The fifth step is to celebrate your achievements and recognize your progress. Celebrating your achievements is not only rewarding, but also motivating. It helps you to appreciate how far you have come, how much you have learned, and how much you have contributed. You can celebrate your achievements by rewarding yourself, sharing your stories, or thanking your supporters. Recognizing your progress is also crucial for keeping your career development plan on track. It helps you to monitor your results, evaluate your performance, and identify your next steps.

6 Keep going

The sixth and final step is to keep going with your career development plan in Project Management. Career development is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You will face new challenges, opportunities, and changes along the way. You will also need to update your plan as your goals, skills, and interests evolve. The key is to stay focused, flexible, and proactive. You have the power to shape your own career path and achieve your potential as a project manager.

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?