Thank you for shedding light on this subject of how to get project management engagements. You have said in the comments for this series that what you really want is great work assignments, freedom, opportunity to take long vacations and good compensation aka money. But what is the path to these goals? Being a project management expert!

Making yourself into a publicity machine is a way to consistently have an opportunity to have discussions with project manager hiring decision makers. Don’t be intimidated. I’m not suggesting you are “the” project management expert; only “An” Expert. Project Management is way too big for anyone to claim the king or queen title but we can all be experts in important areas. The world needs more portfolio metrics expertise – we haven’t begun to understand how to be fully effective there. There is a lot of information on Agile but no person has cracked the code on how to actually deliver measurable success in global deployments. What about the lessons learned project management expert on the financial services mess? I would pay to hear that webinar! There are so niches that could be filled.

So why should you be a project management expert in a niche? Here’s a couple of reasons.

• Gets you to the top of the pile of resumes when hiring managers read your bazillion blog articles, conference presentations and books on your CV.
• Gives you the guts to not ever be in an interview again as it gives you the credentials to turn the tables and pose strategic questions of the hiring manager.
• Let’s you swim with the big fish as when you hang out in the speakers room at conferences.
• Lastly, produces a wow factor. I was embarrassed as my peers bowed down to me at a meeting of project management professionals after I published my first book. My face turned red as I chided them with a “stop it.” But now I would probably pull my Sony voice recorder out of my purse and get testimonials that I would post on my website.
• Double lastly, its cheap! All it takes is Fitch’s Law; looking at a subject and providing new interpretations.

Leave a comment on your reasons to be an expert.

Take this survey on your biggest issue as a contractor or consultant:
Click Here!

Rosemary Hossenlopp, MBA PMP © 2009 All Rights Reserved

Ok, Fitch’s law is interesting, possibly compelling. It’s tickles your brain. Recall that it is about serving up project management information on standard skills, tools and techniques in a new, interesting and relevant way. This establishes you as a go-to expert. You might be thinking “Isn’t everything already said?” I understand the sentiment! Geez – how many books are there already on project management? But I insist No! If the current wisdom from institutions and universities teaching project management was sufficient, the industry would look completely different.

• Project management experience would be the definitive way to C-level positions.
• Projects success rates would finally break the 50% barrier.
• Project Management Offices (PMO’s) would increasingly align organizational initiatives to project funding rather than only report on time, cost and scope metrics.
• Business case attainment would finally stop being a myth and become measured.

There are so many challenges that projects face. This industry hasn’t even scratched the surface of the innovations needed to deliver project success. Our industry is crying for new ideas. (more…)

Finding your next contract without spending all your time networking and marketing is a big pain point for project management professionals. First, we tend not to like it. We are buried working on our engagements and so it is hard to make time. Second, this uses a different part of our brain than most of us like to use. We see that hill of marketing ahead of us and shake our heads. We see the sign in the road that there are dangerous curves ahead. We breath deeply and silently wonder if all that time and energy we throw at marketing will get us what we what; our next contract. (more…)

Generally there are two reasons that you are considering a contract project management job; inspiration or desperation. Let’s start on the happy side; inspiration. Being a contractor gives you a chance to work on different projects, engage with different companies, meet lots of solid project management professionals, gets lots of experience, learn lots of tools and get paid for overtime (most of the time:-)

I wish I had this amount of foresight to pursue this route. I didn’t. I followed the second path; desperation.

So desperation means that you have been kicked out of the corporate nest. You were laid off. It was a comfortable nest and so this season is incredibly stressful on you. It is a culture change for companies too. Corporations are enveloped in global panic and fear. When hiring managers finally get an ok to proceed with bringing back staff, they may only be hiring contractors to reduce their cash burn-rate risk. Since you are addicted to eating, you want to consider a contract job.

Now I think being a contractor is a great path to success. I wish I would have done it earlier. Don’t get my giddiness wrong. I loved working as a Silicon Valley project manager. But as a contractor, I have had professional opportunities and personal satisfaction that I would never have had in a corporate environment.

Some of you may not be as excited as I am. I understand. I made it across the chasm. I’m feeling very confident about my ability to compete in this economy due to the lessons I’ve learned over the years.

Let’s see if you want to take this same path as a longer term career choice. Take a test.

Rate yourself on a 1-10 on these areas.
Grab a pencil!
1 indicates strong disagreement and 10 indicates strong agreement

1. Finances: My bank account can handle gaps in my employment.
2. Personal Relationships: My significant other can handle gaps in my employment.
3. Emotional Intelligence: I can adapt too many situations and people.
4. Skill Inventory: I ask for work where I both gain critical skills yet deliver success.
5. Influence: I demonstrate tangible value to the project management community.

Scoring:
0-10: Hum; you need to turn in your project management credentials
11-20: Seek an environment where soft skill and PM training is available
21-30: You consistently deliver high-quality project work.
31-40: You are professionally recognized and in comfortable control of your life
41-50: You need to publish a book; immediately!

In this economy you need to find the fastest path to cash. That may mean taking a contract job while waiting for your next job. But many of you, this is time to rebrand yourself as a contractor and turn up the dial closer to a score of 50 on your test. Tomorrow we talk about some key skills for project management contracting and consulting success.

Take this survey now for answers later this week on Project Management Contractor/Consultant Best Practices:
Click Here!

Rosemary Hossenlopp, MBA PMP © 2009 All Rights Reserved

I just went to a memorial service yesterday that celebrated the special life of a dear friend. As I walked in, the family asked me to speak during the eulogy. The place was filling up. There were several hundred people there. My heart started beating faster, I caught my breath and speaking only from the top part of my diaphragm . . . said yes.

I knew that I could find the words. And I did. The stories came quickly to my mind. I carefully sorted the mental presentation of how I could help bring closure, transition and hope to her family and friends. It was a privilege to talk about a life well lived.

What does this have to do with project management? Well, a bunch! Many of us have been abruptly separated from our jobs. I have. It is a death of sorts. You feel the loss of your friends. You miss the routine of work. Some of our projects have been crazy, even over the top nuts and yet there are moments that still bring smiles to our faces about it. We are nostalgic about the good old days.

Yet the season has changed. Project management is undergoing wrenching global changes. The economy is forcing management to fundamentally rethink the employment paradigm. Outsourcing in the 90’s began to impact our projects. This century, the full force of societal shift is upon us and we are now outsourced. To survive, we need to rejoin the project team as a contractor.

Ouch. We didn’t see it coming. But we can’t hang on to the past. It is like wearing a buzz cut of the 60’s or the bee hive 10 inch hair style of the 50’s. Those hair styles date us. Instead we need:

-different mindsets as contractors
-new consulting skills
-a business brand

Join me this week as I provide on overview of the industry and how to position yourself for success in the new economy.

Take this survey now for answers later this week on Project Management Contractor/Consultant Best Practices:
Click Here!