The Occupation of Managing Projects

The Occupation of Managing Projects

The field of project management includes not only project managers but also specialists associated with various functions that may or may not be unique to projects. Those who identify themselves with the occupation of “managing projects” implement projects across many types of settings. They are familiar with the basics in project management and know how projects are run. They may take on different roles within a project setting or the same role on different types of projects. But they always work on projects. Specialists exist in a type of work associated with projects, such as a project scheduler, a project cost engineer, or a project control special-ist. Others will specialize in the use of a particular software tool, knowing all the features and capabilities of that tool, even targeting a particular industry (see Chapter 12). Some specialists perform a sophisticated proj-ect function, such as an estimator on energy-development sites (a specific setting) or a project recruiter (a specific function). Still others specialize in implementing a unique type of project, such as hotel construction, trans-portation networks, large-scale training programs, or new mainframe soft-ware development.

Some of the individuals associated with projects may have entered the field by happenstance, perhaps through a special assignment or a promo-tion from a technical role in a project. What distinguishes those in the proj-

Project Management 15


ect management occupation from those in the technical occupation of that project is that they choose to tie their future and their development to proj-ect management, expanding their knowledge and skills in areas that support the management of a project rather than the technical aspects of creating, marketing, or developing the product or service resulting from the project. There are thousands of people engaged in the occupation of project man-agement, most of them highly skilled, and many of them extremely knowl-edgeable about what it takes to plan, execute, and control a project.

Emphasis on the Profession of
Project Management

A growing number of people recognize the emerging profession of project management. The profession encompasses not only project managers but also other project-related specialists taking a professional approach to the development, planning, execution, control, and improvement of projects. The profession is getting broader because of a number of factors in busi-ness today:

■ The increased rate of change in the business environment and the economy. It used to be okay to say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Today, if you don’t fix it before it breaks, the window of opportu-nity may already be closed.

■ External factors. Technological changes, market changes, com-petitive changes—these all influence projects, as well as chang-ing expectations of those who use or receive the products, services, or benefits of the project. Some may change without the project organization’s participation or knowledge. Government regulations are an example of an external change, as are legal decisions in the courts. Understanding project management is necessary to integrate these changes into the organization’s prod-ucts and services.

■ Internal factors. Some organizations have to release new docu-ments, products, or services to stay in business. Whether it is a software company creating “not so necessary” releases or a govern-ment organization refining aviation maps or making policy changes, the changes may be generated internally. Project managers are need-ed to manage these revenue-generators.

Different industries are driven by varying motives to implement projects:

■ Revenue generation

■ Technology
16 The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Project Management Course

■ Changes in the environment

■ Changes in markets or competition

The project management profession draws from those in the occupa-tion, but it targets individuals who consciously address the more sophisti-cated and complex parts of project management—building knowledge, skills, and ability over time.