 |
||
Transitioning Industries
Some of you may choose to do so willingly, based on the availability of a better opportunity. Others may be forced to do so because of the tumultuous economic climate. Regardless of your circumstances, there are many actions you can take to transition with greater ease to your new surroundings. Your answers revealed several three common themes that are necessary for success. Specifically, knowledge, people and self: what you know, who you know and how you act. The first step begins with your knowledge base. Create a Knowledge Plan As project practitioners, you create and use plans in all aspects of your work. So why would you undertake a career shift without having one in place? As Brian King discussed in a recent Post article, a knowledge plan is the first and most crucial step to help you transition. “Study the industry you are interested in moving to long before you begin the interview process, and define a path you are willing to follow to change into the new industry,” says James C. Brown, PMP, PgMP, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. A knowledge plan will allow you to define the expectations and boundaries for your new position—especially if you’re taking over for a current project manager—and also to map out the necessary steps to learn about your new industry and company. “In order to effectively manage the transition from an industry to another, it is important to start in the right way,” says Jarno Marchetto of Genestrerio, Switzerland, who recommends that you create an initial strategy for your new role, including your work objectives, and have a detailed start plan for getting acquainted with your new surroundings. Research Your New Industry With your knowledge and action plan firmly in place, you can begin to learn about your new industry. Ideally you should start this process before you move, but either way there are several options available to you. For example, suggests Roddy Awad, PMP, of Moncton, Canada, you can gain experience through volunteer work, either with companies in your targeted industries, or with local community groups who need help in those areas. Volunteer opportunities provide valuable training and can give you a chance to network with people already in the field. Not everyone has time for such a hands-on approach, but you can still learn plenty by studying journals, books, newspaper and magazine articles, presentations, Web sites and podcasts. The sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, so you should look for ways to focus your research. Bridget Boylan of London, UK, recommends a four-step approach, focusing on the industry lingo (or terminology), business cycle, key drivers and current issues. She sees the language, especially, as a crucial issue. “Every industry has its own jargon, and you’re not credible until you know it,” she says. Jean-Guy Dupuis of Montreal, Canada agrees. “The most important thing is to get the lingo right,” he says. “Be careful not to use words or phrases you do not fully understand.” Learn the Company You have the plan and you studied the industry. Now, you have to learn about your new company. This is an important step, because companies can differ greatly even within the same industry. “I’ve found that it’s best to start with the fundamentals,” says William Bengtson, PMP, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA. “The first question I ask is, ‘How do they make money?’ The answer usually isn’t as simple as you think.” Patrick M. Haley, PMP, of Boulder, Colorado, USA and Mary Jane Matthews, PMP, of Dayton, Ohio, USA, recommend studying the organizational structure, the key decision-makers and the business processes and systems, especially as they relate to projects. You may glean some of this from traditional research, but often the best way to learn about a company is simply to talk to your new colleagues. “The best advice is to go and sit with the people doing the work and ask them what their job is about, what are the key challenges they face, what they consider to be ‘success,’ and what things they want to do next,” says Mike O’Hara, PMP, of Plimmerton, New Zealand. Project Management Basics Still Apply The basics of project management are flexible enough to transcend industry boundaries. “Project management skills are transferable to any industry,” says Julie Cruickshank, PMP, of the greater Toronto area, Canada. “The key to success is to rely on the PMBOK® Guide to provide you with [a framework] that can be utilized for any type of project.” That flexibility, however, requires that you use it with respect to your new surroundings—in other words, make it fit. “Apply the fundamental project management techniques, but tailor them to the new industry and the project, rather than blindly applying them,” says Parag Ambardekar of Bowie, MD, USA. In fact, the recent study, Researching the Value of Project Management, found that the “fit” between an organization and its project management implementation is a crucial driver of value, and that “one size fits all” implementation does not work. So, remember your project management basics and tailor them to your new industry. Craft a knowledge plan and do your research. These tactics will help you get your transition off to a stronger and more confident start. For more information on transitioning from one industry to another, look for parts two and three in the next two issues of Community Post, on 22 May and 12 June. Part two will focus on who you know, and part three will focus on how you act. If you need to solidify your project management knowledge, turn to PMI. There are many educational and training courses offered through our SeminarsWorld® and eSeminarsWorldSM events, through PMI communities, and through PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s). You can also visit PMI’s Career Headquarters for job searching and career coaching resources.
Our credentials are an excellent way to
help you get noticed by employers. |
||
For project professionals, the thought of changing industries may be daunting. | Home BACK TO TOP
|