Don't Get Lost in the Weeds

While studying for the Project Management Professional certification exam, it became more and more apparent that regardless of the industry you are in, and the level of technical involvement you encounter, the ability to project manage effectively is based upon applying the proper principles and techniques.

Commercial construction, software development, consulting, finance, at a high level each have the same ability to be properly managed.  Each project starts with an idea or need from a person or entity.  This need or idea then gathers a group of people who are interested or who will be a part of it; the Stakeholders.  From here this group decides what the idea or need will specifically be or include; the overall project requirements.  Once the requirements have been developed, an estimate for labor and materials producing an overall cost estimate will be made; scope development.  This can be done either by hiring a firm to represent them during a general contracting project, or can be done in-house if they possess the proper staff.  Next, they then can solicit vendors via an RFP process to obtain estimates to produce the need or idea. 

This can be a tiered process meaning the Owner's and Owner's rep solicit general contractors for an overall bid, who then in turn could solicit subcontractors for portions of the work they will not perform.  This strategy or method, again, holds true for all business types.  Once the winning bid is selected and contractor notified, then it is a collaboration among the Owner and general contractor, and even more so, the project managers of each group that will provide overall project schedule, resourcing allocation, product procurement, and overall project management. 

Obviously a quick and abbreviated explanation of the project management process, but I hope it illustrates that detailed in-depth knowledge of an industry or trade is not necessary if you are project managing at a level that allows you to keep your head out of the weeds.  If you are trying to transition from one trade or industry to another, but still want to maintain your role as a project manager, look for a role that allows you to manage at a level by which applying proper project management principles will return a positive result. 

Chris Thompson PMP, SSYB