bring your leadership skills to project management

Bring Your Leadership Skills to Project Management With the business world constantly evolving and growing, new and exciting careers such as project management are emerging. With projects needing to be delivered on time and on-budget, the people in this field hold the responsibility of planning an endeavor and seeing that it is successfully completed.

Companies in both the private and public sectors hire Project Managers. The fields in which projects manager find work range from health, education and transportation to engineering, new media, advertising, marketing, financial, construction and more. The majority of this line of work, however, is done in large companies that have specialized professionals for all aspects of their business. Project Managers may also work as project leaders, process development analysts and global project managers.

While the titles differ, there are many tasks and skills among Project Manager-related jobs that are common. When a new project is started, these professionals facilitate the definition of its scope, goals and deliverables. They then define tasks and resource requirements and develop a full-scale plan. The next step is to assemble and coordinate the staff that will be needed to properly execute and to manage the budget by allocating money and resources. Next, the project manager sets a timeline and deadlines so that people involved are on the same page. While the project is being carried out, the managers provide direction and support as well as track deliverables using the appropriate tools. At the same time, they present reports to the executives that outline project progress, problems and solutions. After the project is completed, Project Managers assess the results.

The tasks performed by a professional in this field can be widespread. However, there are skills that can be developed during schooling that can help you to be successful. Of course, planning and organizing are a huge part of the job. Project Managers must use their critical thinking and problem solving skills to stay on top of every aspect and every employee working on a specific project. This also involves decision-making and effective communication skills. However, just because Project Managers lead the team, doesn’t mean they are outside of the team. Combining teamwork and leadership skills is essential to negotiations, conflict management and the overall morale of the project.

All of these skills can be taught at college level with a three-semester Graduate Certificate program, such as Project Management Institute's Project Management program. The training at Centennial follows the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBK) methodology, which proves to be a solid way of equipping specialists with the skills that are needed to manage projects in a timely and cost effective manner. Hands-on integration of technology tools, such as Microsoft Project, and case studies also enhance the PMBK curriculum. Lastly, students engage in a 12-week internship at an organization where they’ll gain valuable experience. Because of the variety of courses, the Project Management program is suitable for college or university students who wish to increase their employability. It is also great for experienced project managers seeking to bring new skills to their resume. In order to apply for this Centennial College program, students must submit an official transcript demonstrating proof of successful completion of a post-secondary advanced diploma or degree program. The School will consider applicants presenting a combination of education and relevant work experience, open to all disciplines. Non-academic requirements include: interview, transcript and resume review.

View Source: http://www.centennialcollege.ca/Programs/ProgramOverview.aspx?Calendar=20102011&Program=2528