Learn to Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk

The field of project management has grown over the past forty years. During that time, professional project managers have developed their own little sub-culture. They've learned to communicate with each other in a jargon that sounds like a mixture of ordinary language and computer-speak. If you buy a PM program with the hope that it will turn you into an overnight success, think again. Most of the PM programs that I've seen imply that you already belong to the inner circle and can "walk the walk and talk the talk."

Where do you learn the language of PM? The best way to learn it is to get involved with the people who practice project management as a full-time occupation. Many of these professionals hang out on CompuServe and the Internet. For example, on CompuServe, a quick search on the topic of "project management" revealed the following leads:

Of these few forums, the Project Cost and Management and Project Cost and Mgt Forum seem to be the most heavily trafficked. They offer support for the ABT and Primavera, commercial PM programs, among others.

If you're connected to the Internet and have a Web Browser, you'll find more information than you'll know what to do with. You'll probably need a good PM program just to organize your learning activities.

Project Management Institute (PMI)

The use of jargon is one indicator that the field of project management is coming of age. Another indicator is the existence of professional organizations complete with credentialling powers and the ability to grant certification. The Project Management Institute plays this important role. PMI came into existence in 1984 and has continued to grow since then. It provides a Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) to its members and has a rigorous certification process involving a six hour written exam and an elaborate point system for proving a long-term commitment to project management. If you're already involved in the field of PM and feel that you have adequate educational background, work- experience, and professional responsibilities in this field, you might want to give yourself a real challenge and go for certification. To get the ball rolling, request an official Application Form from the Sysop in the Project Management Section of CompuServe's Project and Cost Management Forum (CIS address 70431,2352). If you're just interested in joining the organization, just fill out a membership application from the Project Cost and Management Forum on CompuServe (look for file name PMI-APP.TXT in the files section),

Project management certification offers advantages to the individual and their employers. In these competitive times, certification sets PMProfessionals apart from the crowd. A mastery of basic project management knowledge is demonstrated by passing the PMP Certification Examination. Review of candidate applications has shown that they have a high level of commitment to project management professionalism. Companies such as AT&T, Niagara Mohawk, and CRS Sirrine recognize the worth of project management certification and value their employees who achieve PMP status.

What is the PMBOK?

The Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) constitutes the official Project Management Institute knowledge standards, and is used to define the minimum knowledge an individual must possess to be considered by the Institute and his or her peers as a recognized Project Management Professional. PMBOK is the official basis for the Certification Exam and for the review of formal, degree granting graduate education programs.

The PMBOK is divided into the eight major functional areas which must be managed during the course of a project. These eight functions and their component processes are:

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