What experience do you need to get promoted in project management?

Certifications are great but in my journey , I have found certifications alone cannot do the trick. You have to find and highlight the experience (especially one where you handle multiple projects) that would propel you . That's what's going to take you at least one step further to that promotion in project management .

In my opinion, this is always a combination of hard and soft skills, where I give the latter the most preference, which is much more important to obtain any certificate. You can get promoted by managing projects of different complexity, showing distinctive leadership qualities, the ability to communicate with the team and stakeholders, being able to maneuver between different situations, people, adapting to new circumstances and being able to make strategic decisions. All this comes with experience and interaction directly with projects where hard skills are acquired and refined. Nevertheless, certificates can be a useful addition to a resume, as they confirm your expertise, but soft skills and experience are the key in this field.

Getting promoted in project management requires a blend of hard and soft skills gained through experience. Here are some key areas to focus on: Technical Skills: Project Management Methodologies Planning and Scoping Budget and Resource Management Quality Assurance and Delivery Technology Proficiency Soft Skills: Leadership and Communication Problem-solving and Decision-making Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Teamwork and Collaboration Adaptability and Continuous Learning Additional Experience Boosters: Certifications Mentorship and Training Volunteering and Taking Initiative Networking Remember, the specific experience needed for promotion will vary depending on the organization, industry, and the level of the position you're aiming for.

Rise, Lead, Excel! ???? I'd emphasize the blend of certifications and practical skills. Gaining credentials like PMP or PRINCE2 showcases formal understanding. But leadership skills are pivotal - inspiring teams and steering projects to success. As highlighted by Peter Drucker in 'The Effective Executive,' business acumen and understanding organizational dynamics are crucial. Technical prowess can't be overlooked; it ensures credibility. Soft skills, especially interpersonal ones, foster collaboration and conflict resolution. Lastly, learning agility, adapting to new challenges, and continuously upskilling, as Michael Watkins recommended in 'The First 90 Days', is essential for climbing the project management ladder.

- Project Management Professional (PMP): Obtaining the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is highly respected in the industry and can significantly boost your career prospects. - Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), PRINCE2, Agile certifications: Depending on the project management methodology used in your organization, certifications in specific methodologies may be beneficial.

En varias firmas de ingeniería en las que he trabajado, los gerentes de proyectos van ascendiendo en función del monto del proyecto o la importancia en cuanto al cumplimiento de los plazos o la precisión en la ejecución técnica. Luego de eso, el cargo inmediato superior es el de Program Manager en el cual se gestiona un Portafolio de Proyectos que se ejecutan en simultáneo o no, por lo cual pienso que tener habilidades de liderazgo adecuadas y capacidad de delegar funciones es escencial. Pienso que de las habilidades más preciadas está el dejar que el equipo haga lo suyo, preveer retrasos (eso lo da la intuición) y solo intervenir cuando se requiera corregir desviaciones

PMI has identified the top 4 "power skills" (which are leadership skills) as Communication, Problem Solving, Collaborative Leadership, and Strategic Thinking. These are acquired by practice - you can't take one course and be proficient. Learn new ways to practice these skills that are different from the way you've been doing it. Ask your manager for suggestions.

I consider the sense of ownership to be a skill that many good managers possess. It goes beyond the formal responsibility for project aspects, encompassing a holistic view and an expanded leadership perspective that connects the project with broader strategies, leading to results that exceed expectations. I don't see this skill being formally addressed very often, but it can indeed be cultivated to become a valuable tool in the repertoire of project managers. In today's world, projects are moving towards generating value rather than merely delivering outcomes. Skills like these contribute value to the process and open doors to new project management approaches.

To secure a promotion in project management, focus on leadership skills: -Communication: Clear and concise communication is vital for project success. -Decision-Making: Demonstrate confident and timely decision-making to keep projects on track. -Team Motivation: Inspire and motivate team members for enhanced productivity. -Conflict Resolution -Strategic Thinkin -Adaptability -Risk Management Empowerment Accountability -Visionary Leadership -Stakeholder Management -Continuous Learning -Time Management -Inclusive Leadership -Negotiation Skills

As far as I'm concerned I think that project management is a mix of interpersonal and management skills. The key of success is the involvement of the person and its capacity to onboard the team and the stakeholders. Even though technical skills still required but could not only assessed according to the certifications we've got.

The project leader must embrace changing technology and create a culture of continuous learning. Success is measured by value, not cost or completion. They must understand business strategy, and key metrics to ensure projects deliver intended value predictably. It's now about changing the culture, upskilling the team, and repeating the process quickly. CPI, SPI, or project completion alone are insufficient criteria for success. Focusing solely on cost performance index (CPI) and schedule performance index (SPI) or even project completion as the only criteria for success is not enough in today's business environment so the level of business acumen and adaptability is only going increase as tech in AI, cloud, and process improvement scales.

In addition to honing technical skills, it's crucial for aspiring project managers to foster adaptability. Projects often evolve, and being adept at quickly grasping and integrating new technologies or methodologies can set you apart. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning to navigate the dynamic landscape of project management successfully.

Build a professional network within your organization and industry. Networking can help you learn from experienced professionals, find mentors, and discover opportunities for advancement.

Agility in business isn't just about adaptability and learning; it's deeply rooted in sustainability and resilience. Key practices like automated testing and consistent customer feedback form the bedrock of this approach, enabling teams to adapt to chaotic environments effectively. Learning from DevOps and XP methodologies in software development exemplifies this. These practices ensure quality and readiness for change, a concept that's applicable not only in software projects but in other domains as well. Embracing such sustainable and resilient practices is essential for true business agility

To get promoted in project management, gaining hands-on experience in managing projects successfully is crucial. Demonstrating effective communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills is key. Obtaining relevant certifications such as PMP (Project Management Professional) can also enhance your credentials. Continuous learning and staying updated on industry best practices contribute to professional growth and promotion opportunities.

We should consider one of the major factors as well, which is Professional certification & continued self-learning programs to add more credit to your balance and reflect a clear image as a professional Project Manager.

Building visibility as a project manager within your organization is essential for career growth and recognition. Here are five key strategies, each elaborated in brief, to help you effectively increase your visibility in your role: 1. Effective Communication 2. Demonstrate Results 3. Engage with Leadership 4. Mentorship and Networking 5. Knowledge Sharing

Project managers should proactively collect all their projects' positive stories and how they delivered value to their organizations. They should create stories of their successes and include the project management elements that helped the project move forward. While doing so, they should also be humble enough to have the project's failures and how they learned from them. They should show how they incorporated and overcame similar challenges in new projects. Project managers face similar challenges, but what makes them different is their ability to read the environment and anticipate to achieve success. Always remember to act (1) right and (2) fast, but always in this order.