How to Become a Project Manager? Career paths of BPX’s project managers

First thing which you can see after you use Google’s search engine and write “How to become a project manager” is:

The steps to becoming a project manager[1]

1. Start managing projects.
2. Keep managing projects.
3. Learn the skills and theory behind managing projects.
4. Use Teamwork to manage your projects.
5. Get better at managing projects.
6. Decide if you want to get a project management certification.
7. Continue to manage projects.

From the article you will learn:

• How to become a Project Manager.
• Which career path to choose.
• PM’s job at BPX.

It may seem quite easy. Then why do we have so many possibilities to attend Project Management courses, degree courses, post-graduate studies, certificates? I will try to present you two ways for PM career.

In particular there are two ways to become a PM:[2]

1. The accidental project manager
2. Planned project management education and certification

The Accidental Project Manager

As a reference to point 1. you can easily conclude that degrees and qualifications are not “must-have”. Sometimes the major value is hands-on experience and learning from mistakes.

While investigating this topic among BPX’s project managers – majority of us has become “the accidental” PM. They’ve started a career as SAP consultant, financial analysts, quality manager, PMO… and based on their various experience they became PMs.

Some say that Project Manager with hands-on experience in the area of SAP, Data Management, Quality Management, etc., may be better prepared for this role as they know exactly majority of processes, activities which need to be prepared and performed along project lifecycle. However, they still need to determine the knowledge and skills needed for the role such as:

1. Integration management
2. Communications management
3. Budget management
4. Quality management
5. Time management
6. Resource management
7. Scope management
8. Risk management
9. Procurement management
10. Stakeholder management[3]

Foreseeing some gaps in your preparation to the role might help you to match some course or training.

It’s crucial to bear in mind that project management will grow together with technology and best practices. Remember that PM job will vary depending on the organizational structure and team culture.

Planned project management education and certification

Regarding “Planned Project Management” career path we can list the following steps:

1. Learning
2. Training
3. Certification

There are different ways to learn – we can list, i.e.: the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), and the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, (both offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI).

Next stage which you step into is of course obtaining experience! You can start as a PMO, Project Assistant or straight as a Junior Project Manager. Depending on your skills, assets etc. your career will take off.

Fingers crossed and good luck!

Contact us and find out more about dedicated SAP solutions: bpx@bpx.pl