From Technician to Project Manager: The Management Side
QUESTION: I’m working as a Technician and would like to move into Project Management. What can I do?
In the first post on this subject (From Technician to Project Manager: The Technical Side) we covered things that should be done during the first 18 months of wanting to make a transition from technician to project manager.
Below we explore the second phase where you start to hone your management abilities. Also included are some basic skills needed at the project management level that you may or may-not already be good at.
Depending on your time availability and learning curve you may be able to start some of these things at the same time as the technical phase.
- General Management Library: As with your technical library start building your management library investing time each day to read. Books like “Execution” by Larry Bossidy, “Winning” by Jack Welch and “The Toyota Way” should be in your library along with others you find interesting. If your construction career is anything like mine and you drive a lot then invest in audio books. I can typically listen to about 1 business book per week – that’s the equivalent of an MBA in a couple years. In addition to Amazon.com and the local bookstore I recommend two additional resources – www.audible.com and www.audio-tech.com.
- Project Management Library: Augmenting your technical library find some good books; specific to your trade if possible on estimating, scheduling, change orders, construction claims and general project management. Don’t go overboard here – the basics of being a PM are pretty simple – most PMs fail due to lack of attention to the basics.
- Local Seminars & Classes: There are usually dozens of classes taught each year by industry professionals through local trade associations and colleges. Look around and see what is out there. Some internet search time will go a long ways. Set yourself up for a series of classes that include technical, management, legal (contract / lien law) and financial management classes. Your employer may or may not pay for these. Set your own budget and trust me that the money will come.
- Money: As a Project Manager a major aspect of how you are judged has to do with your ability to manage the profitability and cash flow of the project. We have NEVER seen a PM who was good at both of those things lose their job – and conversely a major aspect of every decision to let a PM go was that they weren’t that good at managing the money regardless of the “Official” reasons given. Build your library of books to teach yourself about money including books like “What the CEO Wants You to Know” and books specific to budgeting for construction projects.
- Typing: As simple as this sounds being able to type fast is a huge benefit. There are dozens of programs out there that can help you learn to type – strive for 60 words per minute. As with the reading set aside some time to practice a few times per week and you will achieve your goals.
- Writing: The ability to clearly articulate your thoughts is another big deal for a project manager. If this is a strong point for you then great – if not you should work on it by taking classes at your local college and by practicing. Those lists of questions that you were making when you were reviewing plans – turn those all into individual RFIs written as if you were running the job. When a situation arises while you are on the project that requires a letter to be written try writing the draft yourself and comparing it to the one your PM wrote.
- Computer / Microsoft Office: If you don’t have a computer at home invest in one that runs the same software you would have in a business – Windows XP or Vista Business + Microsoft Office. You need to be excellent with your use of Word and Excel. Take classes and practice, practice, practice. Learn to make forms and lists in both Work and Excel. Going back to your plans start making your lists directly in Excel. Learn your formulas and how to make simple spreadsheets. I learned all my computer skills starting with basic to-do lists in Excel for the project. Learn to not only make your documents look good but also make them functional.
- Microsoft Project: Learn to make your own schedules. In the latter part of your training after mastering the basics of Word and Excel invest in MS Project and learn how to build schedules. There are only a few other pieces of software out there for scheduling but the basics of Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling are the same for all of them.
- Accounting, Estimating & PM Software: Once you get into the role of a PM it is likely that your company will have some sort of system in place for job cost reporting, purchasing and project management. Strive to learn as much about this as you can and use it – remember that your company paid a ton of money for the system and if you can show that you can effectively use the system it will not only help you do your job better but will get you noticed.
- Contacts: The people you meet during this process will be key to helping you both now and throughout your career including those “Field Friends” you worked with on the jobsite who helped you learn the other trades, the suppliers you bummed catalogs from and the consultants / teachers you took classes from. Start assembling these all into one contact management location like Outlook. Stay in contact with them regularly.
This may seem like a lot but if you set some goals you can knock a lot of this out over a three year period of time. It is a sacrifice but one that is well worth it. As far as getting a job as a PM – that’s easy if you are taking even some of the steps above you will get noticed by everyone and opportunities will open up right and left.
Are all these things really necessary to become a Project Manager? Absolutely not but they are necessary to become a Project Manager in the top percentile of all PMs. There is a huge difference in pay between Project Managers – it is your choice where on that scale you end up at over the next 10 years.
As always, ask any questions and comments are always welcome. You can post them here or send an email to david@dbrownmanagement.com.
Tags: Construction Career
