What is the fastest way to develop your project management skills?

To quickly develop project management skills: seek formal training or certification, actively participate in projects, seek mentorship or guidance from experienced project managers, study project management methodologies and best practices, learn from project management resources, and take on increasing responsibilities and challenges in project management roles !

I actually didn’t start with knowledge of the PMBOK. I didn’t even know what it was when I first entered the workforce. I learned from watching and asking my colleagues who had years of experience more than me. Then when I learned that there are specific classified ways of going through a project, I decided to get more formal knowledge of the subject through certificates. But starting out, I feel that watching, asking and trying myself is what really helped me get to where I wanted to be.

For me, the fastest way to develop my project management skills was diving into real projects without formal training. Learning through hands-on experience and making mistakes allowed me to understand the intricacies of project management in a practical sense. As I gained more insight, I began studying and aligning my experiences with formal knowledge. This combination of on-the-job learning and structured study has been incredibly effective, making the theoretical aspects more meaningful and enhancing my overall project management capabilities.

Para iniciar no gerenciamento de projetos, é essencial entender os fundamentos e conceitos chave da área. Isso inclui aprender sobre o ciclo de vida do projeto, os processos de gerenciamento, as áreas de conhecimento específicas do setor e as diversas ferramentas e técnicas utilizadas. Fontes de aprendizado variam desde livros e cursos online até podcasts, blogs e webinars. Um recurso particularmente valioso é o Guia PMBOK (Project Management Body of Knowledge), reconhecido globalmente como o padrão na área de gerenciamento de projetos.

After learning the basics, the fastest way to boost your project management skills is to dive into real projects! It's all about taking what you've learned in theory and applying it to actual situations. Get hands-on experience—it's like the express lane for skill development. By actively participating, you'll make decisions, solve problems, and lead with a real-world touch. This immersive journey not only speeds up skill acquisition but also builds adaptability and resilience. So, roll up your sleeves, jump into projects, and let the learning adventure begin!

One can also consider getting certified from International Project Management Association (IPMA) where it’s competency based certification. Having a certificate does help to open the door when one might not have the credential yet.

In my mind becoming certified has value for a project manager. While certifications are mostly theory, the certification process creates a unified foundation that levels the playing field and allows everyone to speak the same “language” as it relates to project management. To become a seasoned project manager, one will have to apply practical application to the theory learned in the certification process consistently. For someone new to the field I would recommend the Certified Associate in Project Management or CAPM from PMI. More advanced project managers can pursue specific certifications in their area of expertise such as the Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM) from PMI or the Certified Scrum Master (CSM) from Scrum Alliance.

Obtaining certification is an essential step in the professional journey in project management. Indeed, obtaining a certification from a globally recognized institution is a proof of credibility that we are able to carry out the project from its conception to its delivery. Today, to access certain professional positions, particularly in Project Management, proof of certification has become a sine qua non for access.

Eine Zertifizierung ist ein entscheidender Schritt, um Ihre Fähigkeiten zu validieren. Kurse wie PMP, PRINCE2 oder agile Zertifizierungen bieten nicht nur Wissen, sondern auch Anerkennung. Die Zertifizierung schafft Vertrauen bei Teammitgliedern und Arbeitgebern.

Un factor muy importante es la preparación continua. Está preparación no solo pasa por investigar, leer y poner en práctica sino también compartir experiencias con profesionales con amplia trayectoria en la gestión de proyectos. Para que todo ello tenga buenos resultados, es importante abrir la mente para desarrollar nuevas ideas, rescatar lo mejor de las experiencias de otros profesionales y por sobre todas las cosas ser humildes para aceptar que el tamaño del proyecto que has dirigido no siempre es proporcional a la puesta en práctica de las habilidades de gestión; siempre se aprende!. Cada proyecto por pequeño que sea, tiene sus particularidades y siempre se aprende de este, de los integrantes y de las circunstancias que se presenten.

There's no substitute for real-world experience. Taking on challenging projects and learning from successes and failures can rapidly accelerate the growth of your skills as a project manager. Volunteering or interning is one of the fastest ways to develop your skills while working on something new, as it reduces the risk for a hiring organization when you're still working on your craft and honing your project management skills. You can immerse yourself in real-world project management scenarios, gaining practical experience that complements theoretical knowledge by exchanging your time for the learning opportunity found on complicated projects in mature organizations and startups.

Most times we assume that working with a big firm or a big project is what is needed to gain experience. Creating your own small projects is a great way to start gaining experience in project management. It can help you develop stakeholder management skills, budgeting project implementation skills among others. It also helps you understand your strong points and areas you need to develop if you want to pursue a career in project management.

To gain project management experience, actively involve yourself in real projects, either at work or through volunteer opportunities. Take on roles that allow you to plan, execute, and oversee tasks. Seek mentorship from experienced project managers, participate in workshops, and consider pursuing internships or entry-level positions in project management. Additionally, engage in simulations or online platforms that offer virtual project scenarios to enhance your practical skills. The key is to immerse yourself in varied project environments to develop a comprehensive understanding of project dynamics and challenges.

🎬At the beginning of your career, to gain experience you can attend your peer's meetings/workshops. With that, you can get a perspective of what you want to do with your projects. I strongly recommend doing it your way, with of course relying on your company's guidelines/ and processes.

Die Anwendung von Projektmanagement-Prinzipien in der Praxis ist unerlässlich. Nehmen Sie aktiv an Projekten teil, sei es beruflich oder in freiwilliger Arbeit. Die gesammelte Erfahrung ist unschätzbar und trägt maßgeblich zur Entwicklung Ihrer Fähigkeiten bei.

Cultivate and practice empathy for the various project stakeholders, which in turn ensures that one is more receptive of stakeholder feedback.

Seeking feedback is a great way to develop project management skills, but you have to be mindful of who is providing the feedback. When starting a new project I always seek feedback from my stakeholders on many things from my style and methods of communication, to the frequency and cadence of our meetings to identify areas of opportunity. With key stakeholders I observe and document the things they like and don’t like in meeting to tailor my approach without necessarily “asking” them for their feedback.

Konstruktives Feedback ist der Schlüssel zur kontinuierlichen Verbesserung. Bitten Sie Kollegen, Vorgesetzte oder Mentoren um Rückmeldungen zu Ihren Projektmanagement-Fähigkeiten. Das ermöglicht es Ihnen, Schwächen zu identifizieren und gezielt daran zu arbeiten.

Como en toda disciplina pienso que lo más importante es mantenerse con la mente abierta a nuevos enfoques. Esto requiere ser flexible a nueva información. Escuchar la opinión de otros colegas, o tomar cursos complementarios, es factor clave pues podrías terminar corrigiendo o mejorando el estilo para gerenciar tus proyectos y acompañar a tu equipo de mejor manera. Nunca está demás refrescar conceptos y metodologías para sopesar que cosa aplica y que no, según el caso. Las buenas fuentes son vitales, los institutos reconocidos, los colegas certificados y con experiencia serán nutritivos y seguramente sin desperdicio en su formación. Atrévase a enseñar, es la mejor forma de validar lo aprendido.

Continuous learning in project management is crucial as the field constantly evolves. Aim to be a deep generalist, adept at understanding various project management aspects. This comprehensive approach ensures effective problem-solving. Enhance your knowledge by reading books, articles, and case studies on current project management trends and best practices. Engage in workshops, seminars, conferences, or webinars for fresh insights and skills. Additionally, joining professional associations and networks provides opportunities for learning, sharing, and networking. Embracing this path of ongoing education will enrich your expertise and ability to adapt in the ever-changing landscape of project management.

Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. Regularly assess your performance, identify areas for growth, and actively seek opportunities to enhance your skills. Feedback from colleagues and stakeholders can be valuable in this process.

Continuing to learn remains the prolific way to acquire project management skills. Project management is a field that is constantly evolving so that professionals must continue to update themselves on new technologies related to their sector of activity. For example, today the areas covered in the PMBOK 7th edition are different and more advanced than those of previous editions. A sufficient proof to continue learning to acquire up-to-date skills related to project management.

Become member of any Project Management community. It helps us update our knowledge based on the market trends and you will be teaching to others. There is a proverb in my mother language says " Well seepage more water as it digged in depth". Hence we will update our knowledge by digging deep and teaching others.

To keep learning in anything that you do in life regardless to project management, is the shortest way to success. Forgive me to say this but only a fool would think that he knows everything there is to know. You might learn all what is available about project management but bear in mind that it is not perfect. Project management concepts today are not the same concepts of 20 or 30 years ago and i assure you they will not be the same 30 years later. Knowledge accumulates over time and generations and perspectives also change thus making concepts change. Always keep un open mind and expand your knowledge whenever you can and only then you might get a chance of leaving a positive change that will be remembered for a long time.

Seek out experienced project managers who can serve as mentors and provide guidance and advice as you develop your skills. Learning from their experiences and insights can help accelerate your learning process and avoid common pitfalls. Build a network of peers and professionals in the project management field. Participate in industry forums, attend networking events, and join professional associations or communities to connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and learn from others.

Mentorship and shadowing are insanely valuable. If you have the opportunity to work as an individual contributor on a team with a skilled project manager, use that time to study them and seek guidance as much as possible!

Focus on developing soft skills such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation. These skills are critical for effective project management and team collaboration.

Network! I have seen project managers keeping to themselves, trying to deliver their project and horning their skills. However, you might be having limited career options when not much people knows what you are capable of delivering. Attending networking events and contributing to platform such as LinkedIn or Medium enable prospective employers or clients to know who you are and for them to engage you. You might be the one they NEED!