Today rather than being at work I was on a Project Management course. This one is focusing on Schedule and Costs. This is an accredited course that can be applied to a PMP certification if I so desire. I have taken some of the others in the series and have enjoyed them mainly because we have an exceptional instructor. Her name is Priscilla Bahrey and she really lives what she teaches and has a very interactive approach to her classes. I enjoy all the class discussion and she gets to the point with her lessons.
Typically I am not the greatest student as I am fidgety and not always focused enough. Some people looove school...can't get enough of it. I am the exact opposite. I am a "street smart" kind of learner. Now don't get me wrong, it's not that I think I know all there is about Project Management, but I prefer to learn by doing.
I have PM'd a fair number of IT projects of various sizes. Each time one is complete I sit back and really think about what went well, what didn't, what would I do differently next time...and then I do it (courses call this "lessons learned"). This has served me well as I get a bit more organized each time. I get better at heading off risk before the shit hits the fan and flings all over myself and my team. I have gotten better at being direct with my clients and setting realistic expectations. "Yes, we can most certainly add those new features to the scope, that will also add 5K to the cost and 3 weeks to the schedule". (insert sweet smile)
These classes have taught me some extra tricks and some PMBOK terminology. But do I want my PMP? Hell no! Why is that? Well, I have gotten this far in my life/career with a high school education so why start putting fancy letters behind my name now! I don't begrudge anyone that wants that or enjoys learning this way. Different strokes for different folks, however I can tell you that I know many a certified PMP that can't manage their way out of a paper bag. They just think that they can create a plan and manage via a spreadsheet. You can plan your ass off, but if you don't know how to manage issues, communicate, set expectations, mitigate risk, deal with client and team members then your project will fail.
So while I am enjoying the break and this particular course I will never be a motha fucka PiMP : )
Word.
Book learning is a wonderful thing. But book learning without having the skills to actually implement what you've learned is useless.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you made the pimp reference at the end, because I kept thinking that every single time I saw PMP. :)
LOL love the last part of your post.
ReplyDeleteYou are right, just because someone has letters behind there name doesn't mean shit! I'd much rather pick someone who has experience and can prove that experience.
Same goes for MCSE's. You can study and do the exams and become what we call a "Paper MCSE". No experience at all and people think your worth all of that.
I'd love to hear a breakdown (high level) of what you learned. Wouldn't mind taking a few courses myself. Is this one a overview course?
I don't disagree that the skills you detailed are absolutely crucial to management, but if the designation comes with a crapload of education on setting schedules and delivering on time, I don't know how that could be a bad thing. Plus, don't you get a cool PMP hat?
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