11 answers
Shaina
Student
Bacolod, Western Visayas, Philippines
32
Questions
Updated
1024 views
How can I have experience in the Project Management field?
I am going to be a project manager in the future and I'm currently working on my passion project. Should I make a project management proposal with documentation to display the efforts of the "passion project" I've done? If so, Can you suggest sites or resources on how to make a project proposal?
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11 answers
Tom Gillespie
Senior Director Franchise Leader / Retired US Army Warrant Officer
12
Answers
Heath, TX
Updated
Tom’s Answer
First, work on your college courses and gain as much knowledge from your academic resources.
Second join the local PMI chapter and look for PMP professionals that have the type of experience with the skills for your passion project but don't limit your opportunities to broaden your horizon on what PM opportunities exist.
Third, look for a mentor and PMP chapters can help you with finding a mentor.
Lastly, look for volunteer opportunities to learn and/or develop your project manager skills. Don't only look for your passion projects, keep an open mind about learn all aspects of PM especially the industries around you. Great experience and good details for your resume when you begin looking for your first PM opportunity.
Second join the local PMI chapter and look for PMP professionals that have the type of experience with the skills for your passion project but don't limit your opportunities to broaden your horizon on what PM opportunities exist.
Third, look for a mentor and PMP chapters can help you with finding a mentor.
Lastly, look for volunteer opportunities to learn and/or develop your project manager skills. Don't only look for your passion projects, keep an open mind about learn all aspects of PM especially the industries around you. Great experience and good details for your resume when you begin looking for your first PM opportunity.
I see, thank you so much Tom!!
Shaina
Great advice I would suggest looking topics for passion projects ie food banks, sustainably etc
Katherine Tuttle
Mike Ongchua
Business Process Analyst
7
Answers
Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Start a project! It could be as easy as let's say you want to replace the mobile phone you currently have. We then embark on a project!
Let's call it the "Triple D (digital display device) Reemergence" project, or maybe just "Mobile Phone Replacement", or whatever you want you can call it! 😅
Something as seemingly easy as this may not necessarily require super deep thinking, but you can definitely practice the core principles of project management on this one. Think of the time & effort required for the project. The research, the budgeting, accountability, & executing the purchase, etc. Some may think this is an oversimplification, but take some time to really think about it:
What's the purpose? Why embark on this project? 📒
Who is your project sponsor? Do you have one? Is it your tita, dad, or mom? 👩👧
Do you have a goal? Yes! Is the goal SMART? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria
Can you document the project team's responsibilities? Maybe it's just you and the sponsor?
When should this happen? Are there stages? Perhaps there are mini-projects you need to embark on (milestones) so that the ultimate project goal can be achieved! ⚙️
How much is the project going to cost? Don't just think of the phone's retail price. Think of the effort the team (or you) are going to put into in the entirety of the project right up to the point where the goal is reached. Who will shoulder the cost? Is it shared? ⏲️
How much change will this bring to you and the people surrounding you? Will your younger brother now have a phone because he'll now be able to use your old phone? I'd think that's a change worth documenting.
Are there any risks? Major/minor? Write them down. Is that allowance increase you've been asking for at risk now? 😆
Who do you communicate the progress of the project to and how do you wish to do that?
And voila! Congratulations, you've just touched on the core concepts of project management.
And we've just drafted a rough outline of a project proposal, and possibly a new phone! 📱
Let's call it the "Triple D (digital display device) Reemergence" project, or maybe just "Mobile Phone Replacement", or whatever you want you can call it! 😅
Something as seemingly easy as this may not necessarily require super deep thinking, but you can definitely practice the core principles of project management on this one. Think of the time & effort required for the project. The research, the budgeting, accountability, & executing the purchase, etc. Some may think this is an oversimplification, but take some time to really think about it:
What's the purpose? Why embark on this project? 📒
Who is your project sponsor? Do you have one? Is it your tita, dad, or mom? 👩👧
Do you have a goal? Yes! Is the goal SMART? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria
Can you document the project team's responsibilities? Maybe it's just you and the sponsor?
When should this happen? Are there stages? Perhaps there are mini-projects you need to embark on (milestones) so that the ultimate project goal can be achieved! ⚙️
How much is the project going to cost? Don't just think of the phone's retail price. Think of the effort the team (or you) are going to put into in the entirety of the project right up to the point where the goal is reached. Who will shoulder the cost? Is it shared? ⏲️
How much change will this bring to you and the people surrounding you? Will your younger brother now have a phone because he'll now be able to use your old phone? I'd think that's a change worth documenting.
Are there any risks? Major/minor? Write them down. Is that allowance increase you've been asking for at risk now? 😆
Who do you communicate the progress of the project to and how do you wish to do that?
And voila! Congratulations, you've just touched on the core concepts of project management.
And we've just drafted a rough outline of a project proposal, and possibly a new phone! 📱
Prachi Mahapatra
3
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Prachi’s Answer
Study Project management course in your college
E F
Project Management
5
Answers
Charleston, South Carolina
Updated
E’s Answer
Leverage Project Management Institute (PMI) articles on pmi.org for how to develop a business case and how to build a project plan. Practice makes perfect!
Veronica Contardi
4
Answers
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Hi!
Definitely awesome answers above.
There are some great LinkedIn Courses that you can join, or other free platforms to join.
A good idea can be to volunteer at your local shelter or some local NGO where you can help others and also identify which areas are in need of improvement. Once done, you could work with the team to ideate a project and see it through. I'm sure they will appreciate the efforts and your help.
Definitely awesome answers above.
There are some great LinkedIn Courses that you can join, or other free platforms to join.
A good idea can be to volunteer at your local shelter or some local NGO where you can help others and also identify which areas are in need of improvement. Once done, you could work with the team to ideate a project and see it through. I'm sure they will appreciate the efforts and your help.
Mike Butler
Project Management
2
Answers
Camano Island, Washington
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Yes, creating a project management proposal with documentation is an excellent idea to showcase the efforts and accomplishments of your passion project. A well-structured proposal can help convey your project's objectives, methodology, timeline, deliverables, and the value it brings. It demonstrates your professionalism, organizational skills, and ability to manage and execute projects effectively.
Here are some steps to consider when creating your project management proposal:
Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your passion project. Highlight its significance and how it aligns with your expertise and interests.
Project Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of your project. What did you aim to achieve? Explain how your passion project contributes to the field or addresses a specific problem.
Methodology: Describe the approach and methodology you followed during the project. Detail the steps you took, the resources you utilized, and any tools or techniques you employed.
Timeline: Present a timeline or project schedule that outlines the key milestones and activities of your project. Include estimated start and end dates for each phase or task.
Deliverables: Clearly state the deliverables of your project. These can be tangible outcomes, such as reports, prototypes, or completed tasks. Explain how these deliverables contribute to the overall success of the project.
Budget: If applicable, include a budget section that outlines the financial resources utilized during your project. This can include costs associated with materials, tools, equipment, or any external services you required.
Results and Accomplishments: Provide a detailed summary of the results and accomplishments of your passion project. Include any metrics, data, or feedback that demonstrate the impact and value of your work.
Lessons Learned: Reflect on the challenges you faced during the project and the lessons you learned. Discuss any adjustments or improvements you made along the way and how they affected the final outcome.
Conclusion: Wrap up your proposal by emphasizing the significance and success of your passion project. Reinforce the value it brings and the skills and experience you have gained.
Documentation: Include any supporting documentation that showcases your project, such as photographs, diagrams, reports, or testimonials from stakeholders or team members.
Remember to tailor your proposal to your intended audience. If you plan to share it with potential employers, clients, or collaborators, highlight the aspects that align with their interests and demonstrate your expertise in relevant areas.
By presenting a well-structured project management proposal with documentation, you will effectively showcase your passion project, demonstrate your project management skills, and provide evidence of your capabilities to potential stakeholders.
Here are some steps to consider when creating your project management proposal:
Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and providing a brief overview of your passion project. Highlight its significance and how it aligns with your expertise and interests.
Project Objectives: Clearly define the objectives of your project. What did you aim to achieve? Explain how your passion project contributes to the field or addresses a specific problem.
Methodology: Describe the approach and methodology you followed during the project. Detail the steps you took, the resources you utilized, and any tools or techniques you employed.
Timeline: Present a timeline or project schedule that outlines the key milestones and activities of your project. Include estimated start and end dates for each phase or task.
Deliverables: Clearly state the deliverables of your project. These can be tangible outcomes, such as reports, prototypes, or completed tasks. Explain how these deliverables contribute to the overall success of the project.
Budget: If applicable, include a budget section that outlines the financial resources utilized during your project. This can include costs associated with materials, tools, equipment, or any external services you required.
Results and Accomplishments: Provide a detailed summary of the results and accomplishments of your passion project. Include any metrics, data, or feedback that demonstrate the impact and value of your work.
Lessons Learned: Reflect on the challenges you faced during the project and the lessons you learned. Discuss any adjustments or improvements you made along the way and how they affected the final outcome.
Conclusion: Wrap up your proposal by emphasizing the significance and success of your passion project. Reinforce the value it brings and the skills and experience you have gained.
Documentation: Include any supporting documentation that showcases your project, such as photographs, diagrams, reports, or testimonials from stakeholders or team members.
Remember to tailor your proposal to your intended audience. If you plan to share it with potential employers, clients, or collaborators, highlight the aspects that align with their interests and demonstrate your expertise in relevant areas.
By presenting a well-structured project management proposal with documentation, you will effectively showcase your passion project, demonstrate your project management skills, and provide evidence of your capabilities to potential stakeholders.
Hamish Green
tech
19
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Hamish’s Answer
Experience in any field is gained by 'doing'. Another way to say this is 'show me your work'
Start with simple. Make ten fictional / fake projects.
Then make another ten fictional / fake projects.
Add a bit more complexity, then make another ten fictional / fake projects.
Now, show me your thirty projects.
Start with simple. Make ten fictional / fake projects.
Then make another ten fictional / fake projects.
Add a bit more complexity, then make another ten fictional / fake projects.
Now, show me your thirty projects.
Ajish Nair
PDM
2
Answers
Round Rock, Texas
Updated
Ajish’s Answer
Hi Shaina,
Project Management is something we learn with experience.
You can learn the fundamentals such as planning, scheduling, budgeting, resourcing etc through some training sessions/through courses and probably get certified.
Next step is to get involved into the project planning/execution. You can start as an assistant to some of the experienced project managers and get enough experience under your belt. Then you can start managing project independently.
Project Management is something we learn with experience.
You can learn the fundamentals such as planning, scheduling, budgeting, resourcing etc through some training sessions/through courses and probably get certified.
Next step is to get involved into the project planning/execution. You can start as an assistant to some of the experienced project managers and get enough experience under your belt. Then you can start managing project independently.
Ashley Spencer
Project Manager
3
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
I agree with the folks above mentioning local PMI chapters. There are a ton of great resources online to check out, so I would start with a Google search for Project Proposal Templates and Examples. This will yield helpful templates, free tools, etc. Search terms like "how to write a project proposal" . You can even leverage AI tools like ChatGPT as a starting point. Even something as basic as putting together a project schedule can help showcase your skills.
Especially if you are looking to potentially share this project with others in the future, you likely want to build a presentation format proposal. This would be where you review your business case, proposed solution, and highlight any risks.
Best of luck!
Ashley
Especially if you are looking to potentially share this project with others in the future, you likely want to build a presentation format proposal. This would be where you review your business case, proposed solution, and highlight any risks.
Best of luck!
Ashley
Thomas Lane
Project Manager
1
Answer
Mendon, Massachusetts
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
Hi Shaina,
I would suggest running a google search for "project proposal example" or "project proposal template" to get a sense for the right content to include in your proposal. I don't have a sense for your passion project so difficult to provide guidance, but the google search examples so provide a solid foundation to socialize your proposal.
-Tom
I would suggest running a google search for "project proposal example" or "project proposal template" to get a sense for the right content to include in your proposal. I don't have a sense for your passion project so difficult to provide guidance, but the google search examples so provide a solid foundation to socialize your proposal.
-Tom
Kimberley Tuttle
1
Answer
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Kimberley’s Answer
Creating a project management proposal with documentation for your passion project is a great idea! It demonstrates your skills in planning, organization, and communication, which are essential for a project manager. Documenting your efforts not only helps showcase your abilities but also gives you a practical example to discuss during interviews. It can serve as a portfolio piece and evidence of your project management experience.
Here are some resources and steps to help you create a project management proposal:
Steps to Creating a Project Proposal:
Executive Summary: Provide a brief overview of the project, including its purpose, objectives, and main deliverables.
Project Background: Describe the problem or opportunity the project addresses and its importance.
Objectives and Goals: Clearly state what you aim to achieve and how you’ll measure success.
Scope: Define the boundaries of the project, including what’s in and out of scope.
Deliverables: List the specific outputs or results of the project.
Timeline and Milestones: Include a schedule with key milestones and deadlines.
Budget: Provide a rough estimate of costs or resources required.
Risk Management: Identify potential risks and how you’ll mitigate them.
Team and Stakeholders: Outline who is involved, their roles, and responsibilities.
Project Plan or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Present a detailed plan with tasks, dependencies, and timelines.
Resources for Creating a Project Proposal:
Project Management Institute (PMI): Offers templates and guides based on best practices in project management. You can find templates through their membership or in publications like the "PMBOK Guide."
Website: www.pmi.org
Smartsheet: A project management tool that provides various templates, including project proposal templates.
Website: www.smartsheet.com
Microsoft Office Templates: The Microsoft Office website offers project proposal templates for Word and Excel.
Website: templates.office.com
Wrike: A project management tool that offers templates for project proposals and project plans.
Website: www.wrike.com
Miro: Useful for creating visual elements of a project proposal, like timelines or mind maps.
Website: www.miro.com
Here are some resources and steps to help you create a project management proposal:
Steps to Creating a Project Proposal:
Executive Summary: Provide a brief overview of the project, including its purpose, objectives, and main deliverables.
Project Background: Describe the problem or opportunity the project addresses and its importance.
Objectives and Goals: Clearly state what you aim to achieve and how you’ll measure success.
Scope: Define the boundaries of the project, including what’s in and out of scope.
Deliverables: List the specific outputs or results of the project.
Timeline and Milestones: Include a schedule with key milestones and deadlines.
Budget: Provide a rough estimate of costs or resources required.
Risk Management: Identify potential risks and how you’ll mitigate them.
Team and Stakeholders: Outline who is involved, their roles, and responsibilities.
Project Plan or Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): Present a detailed plan with tasks, dependencies, and timelines.
Resources for Creating a Project Proposal:
Project Management Institute (PMI): Offers templates and guides based on best practices in project management. You can find templates through their membership or in publications like the "PMBOK Guide."
Website: www.pmi.org
Smartsheet: A project management tool that provides various templates, including project proposal templates.
Website: www.smartsheet.com
Microsoft Office Templates: The Microsoft Office website offers project proposal templates for Word and Excel.
Website: templates.office.com
Wrike: A project management tool that offers templates for project proposals and project plans.
Website: www.wrike.com
Miro: Useful for creating visual elements of a project proposal, like timelines or mind maps.
Website: www.miro.com