Want to pivot into Project Management? Here are 6 things you should consider first

Project Management has been through a major shift. It is no longer thought of as just a desirable skillset. It is now considered a profession in its own right, that is becoming increasingly regulated, appreciated and valued. As a vocation, there are now a plethora of ways to upskill in this area – from university degrees, to qualifications, training & Chartership. As Project Management has become more established, so too have the organisations that can support you in learning the skills necessary to thrive in the professional.

The Project Management profession is also growing rapidly. In fact, according to the Project Management Institute (PMI) the profession is forecasted to grow faster than any other globally with 25 million people needed to fill the positions expected to be available by 2032. However, the PMI also forecasts that this will lead to a shortage of good, qualified Project Managers that are able to fulfil these roles. This will result in a supply and demand problem for businesses. But will also mean that Project Managers with the right track record, experience and training will be in high demand.

I speak to a lot of people who are interested in a career in Project Management but haven’t yet have the confidence to take the leap across. Some have actually been managing projects for many years, but not quite gotten the formal job title, training or qualifications that could really help them excel. Others are aspiring Project Managers who are unsure how to get started in this exciting profession.

Here are some points to help you establish whether you should take the formal leap into the Project Management profession and what you can do to set yourself up for success.

1.???? Understand what a Project Manager does

A Project Manager is like the coach of a football team, or the conductor of an orchestra. We are responsible for overseeing projects from inception to completion & managing what happens in between. This includes setting a project up for success, monitoring activities to ensure targets are hit, reporting on progress and closing things out for clear handovers. Make sure that you have done your research so you understand exactly what the role entails. This will enable you to understand what part(s) of the project lifecycle you have experience in, and where there are any gaps you may need to fill.

2.???? Think about which industry would be a good fit

Project Management is a cross disciplinary profession that spans many different industries. If you are seriously considering pivoting into Project Management then you should also be thinking about what industry you want to join. Project Management looks slightly different and has slightly different processes and terminology depending on the industry so this can be an important question to answer. If you want to stay in your current industry consider leveraging the experience, contacts and network that you have. If you want to pivot, conduct industry research, learn about industry trends and get networking. Either way you should be thinking about the growth and stability of that industry to make sure you are setting yourself up for long term career success.

3.???? Establish what transferable skills you have

We are all Project Managers in some capacity. Whether that is through work, organising a friend’s birthday party, or just staying on top of juggling the day-to-day admin of life! As you look at the profession consider how your experience, interests, passions, strengths and weaknesses align. Reflect back on any project you have managed & consider which bits you loved and which bits you loathed. Use this to start thinking about how you can fill in any skills or experience gaps you may have.

4.???? Research the pros & the cons of the profession

There are many advantages to a career in Project Management. It is a fast paced role where no two days are ever the same, there are lots of global opportunities, you are generally paid well and you learn a lot quickly. However, there are also some downsides. Project management can be stressful, you have to deal with change and uncertainty daily and often are expected to take real ownership and accountability for complex projects and difficult teams. Make sure you research the realities of the profession to make sure you are well aligned in your expectations.

5.???? Decide what type of work environment you want

Project Management roles have lots of different work environment set ups. You could be a Project Manager within a large company, managing Projects across departments internally. You could be an external consultant, working with multiple different companies coming together for the duration of a project. You could be working with a local team or you could be working with an international team. Think about what type of working environment you are seeking to help inform what industry and roles you apply for.

6.???? Think about whether you are committed to continual learning

The Project Management profession is changing rapidly. Both the projects and the people we manage are complex and no two project teams are ever the same. Technological developments are having a big impact and there are methodologies (such as agile, lean, scrum, waterfall etc) that you will need to stay UpToDate with. Continual learning and upskilling is an essential part of any good Project Manager’s role to make sure that your knowledge and experience stays up to date and relevant.

Project Management is a growing, exciting and fast paced profession. If you have been considering pivoting into the profession, use the thinking points above to establish if this could be the right career change for you.

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