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Discussion Topic: Projects of all types

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(@ak977)
Posts: 41
Eminent Member
 

The ideal version of a project manager would allow the person to be able to work across the board of industries, regardless of their technical knowledge. PMI is the sort of organization that helps to create these types of PMs. However, just I doubt that there is an ideal PM because it is difficult to lead a project if a person doesn't have even some technical knowledge.
Maybe a medical device PM can be put in charge in a software company because we are required to learn some programming and MS is a program that almost everyone has some knowledge of. However, taking a medical device PM and putting them into a construction company would be a disaster because that is a very technical-based area of expertise. Having a lack of knowledge could lead to disaster or even a loss of life, which is nothing something that is likely to occur in a software company.

 
Posted : 23/01/2018 5:54 pm
 aij5
(@aij5)
Posts: 42
Eminent Member
 

Project Management deals with different complexities within different industries. Say for example, within the medical device industry, there are different federal regulations such as the FDA or even ISO Standards that must be adhered to in order to be compliant. Whereas within the construction industry, there are different building codes and regulations from the state that must be adhered to. Also another big factor that I think comes into play and would introduce difficulties is the type of personalities one would deal with within specific industries. For construction, one would be dealing with blue collar hands on individuals whereas medical device you may be within a lab or typically behind a computer. The environment in which you interact with your team as a project manager would greatly vary throughout different industries and a project manager that cannot adapt to the surrounding environment will in my opinion not be able to assimilate them into the project.
Overall, I feel project managers can indeed go from different industry to industry and be successful. Although I realize that this may not be common, I believe it is possible. The main key would be their intrapersonal skills and how they can really connect with the team surrounding them. The potential lack of technical skills can be balanced out by the rest of the team. The project manager would be the enabler that is able to utilize all the potential that he or she has on their team. If the project manager can do that and have a concrete idea of the goals and objectives of the project, they can rely on the rest of the team for majority technical input. I feel that lack of technical input will be the biggest setback when transferring over from one industry to the next. But the project manager is not necessarily there to provide that technical background, they are there to drive a project from start to end and meet end goals.

 
Posted : 24/01/2018 5:51 pm
(@mattie718)
Posts: 61
Trusted Member
 

I think project managers are like a lot of different professions in that you are very specialized in certain types of projects. There are some universal principles such as the initiate, plan, execute, monitor/control, and close phase cycle. These are the basic ways to complete any type of project and generally be successful if you utilize them. There are also responsibilities such as risk management which needs to be done throughout the project. All industries from construction to software need to account for risk. The medical device industry though, is an industry which is extremely regulated (by the FDA) and requires certain deliverables and standards of quality that project managers need to account for and integrate into the project breakdown. This will also push back many milestones since the FDA takes a long time to give responses to certain submissions. But not abiding by these standards will delay the project or even put it in risk of failing all together. The medical device industry is unique in terms of dealing with the FDA.

 
Posted : 01/04/2019 10:14 am
(@jjp93)
Posts: 79
Trusted Member
 

I do believe Project Management has its similarities and differences in different types of industries. It all pertains to the type of project people are working for. Each project manager will have to work with different types of team members to get to the end result of finishing the project. Project managers will have to deal with conflicts between team members and help them understand their roles. They must also have knowledge on the department and project they are working for the make sure the project runs smoothly. A project manager who has been working in medical devices for many years will not make a good project manager for a software company or a construction site because they do not know the ins and outs of what these projects entail. They must start from the beginning and learn what is required for each project and how to manage the team. Different project managers may be able to lead a team that has knowledge on the different types of projects, but they will have to learn with the team, instead of the team members coming to the project manager for assistance when they’re stuck. I do believe that the project managers should have some background knowledge of how to deal with different industries. A construction site project manager would need to know what kind of materials are used for what types of buildings and roads and they would need to know the different resources involved in building the site. For a medical device company, the project manager would need to know what materials are needed for instruments and their biocompatibility as well as which vendors are appropriate for the instruments and which aren’t. I think it’s possible to be thrown into a different project management position, but it would require a lot more research and work to manage the team verses someone who’s already been working in medical devices for years.

 
Posted : 21/01/2020 4:08 pm
 dyc6
(@dyc6)
Posts: 79
Trusted Member
 

I also agree that Project Management shares similarities and differences in different industries. However, I believe there are more similarities than differences, with the main difference being in the knowledge areas. A PM for a medical device project should have more medical device knowledge, whereas a PM for a software project should have more software-related knowledge. Both PMs share similarities in the PM process in planning, doing checking, and acting (PDCA), as well as the 9 PM knowledge areas, such as integration, scope, time, cost, quality management, etc. I believe that the core PM skills for a successful project is shared between all skilled PMs, but variances occur from project to project, especially in the knowledge area. A great PM for medical device projects will not be a great PM for a software device company, however, the core understanding of what entails in a successful project can easily be translated over. For example, the great medical devices PM will understand the importance of managing cost in either a software project or construction project, even though there may be differences in the cost amount. Of course, there will be some difficulties in the more technical aspects of the project, but a good PM should also consult with other team members and be able to communicate and understand effectively.

This post was modified 5 years ago by dyc6
 
Posted : 23/01/2020 10:40 pm
 vcf3
(@vcf3)
Posts: 109
Estimable Member
 

I think project management skills can be utilized across various disciplinary field. The success of any project  relies on efficiency in a standard criteria  such as time management, communication, leardership, and project-related background knowledge. However, I believe those criteria would have to be specially addressed to suit the field of work. For instance, a project manager in medical device might have a few blank spot in terms of the certains aspect of the a project in building construction for instance. However, that project manager can use the underlying principles of project management learn from a medical device perspective to tail it to construction. An exemple would be ( as opposed to review regulation of FDA for the types of medical devices used in the project), the project manager should  perhaps familiarize himself/herself with the board that govern constructions and learn about its regulation as well. It will require a little more time to get acquainted with those regulations, but an experienced project manager should be able to accomplish this task with minimal difficulties. 

 

 
Posted : 25/01/2020 3:47 am
(@cjm64)
Posts: 77
Trusted Member
 

Project management absolutely differs between industries. The underlying concepts related to organizing and delegating the work will be similar but each industry requires such a knowledge base that switching industries is not realistic without a lot of education on the part of the person switching. With respect to methodology, adjacent industries may be similar, but in vastly different industries some methodologies won’t carry over. Going from the medical device industries to the software industry will most likely have some crossover, but to go to something like the construction industry, it is doubtful that there will be carryover. Not only is the technical knowledge very different, but the types of people that you will be working with are different, so someone who has interpersonal skills that work well with a group of engineers may not be able to connect with a group of construction workers, and then would not be able to motivate and manage them effectively. Also with a lack of technical knowledge the manager would not be able to effectively deal with any issues that could arise during the duration of the project.

 
Posted : 26/01/2020 4:29 pm
(@266)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
 

At a glance, project management among different industries boils down to the same fundamental process groups. Upon taking a closer look within these process groups, common fundamental knowledge areas may also be noticed. Although these fundamental processes and knowledge areas of project management may be common amongst different industries, the details and parameters that lie within these knowledge areas can quickly differentiate the project management process among different project types and industries. Project cost management is a knowledge area that will appear in every project, regardless of the industry.  Project cost management is also a knowledge area that can vary tremendously across different industries. Large scale construction projects such as roads and bridges are often funded by state or federal programs, whereas large manufacturing companies may fund projects internally. Although the fundamental process groups and knowledge areas of project management may appear similar across different industries, they become increasingly distinctive as the details are established. I believe it is possible for a project manager to succeed in more than one industry by utilizing the common project management process groups, however it is imperative that they understand and incorporate the associating details within the knowledge areas for that industry.

 
Posted : 26/01/2020 8:51 pm
(@sallirab)
Posts: 74
Trusted Member
 

The overall skills from having vision, organizer, listener,open minded,  Team player, and a true Leader are needed to be in all PM where ever they will be, but for each industry there are some skills in that field that the PM has to have. For example you can not make an English Teacher teach Math or Physics, the teacher have the teaching skills, to understand the student but not the skills to teach Math. PM must have knowledge, information and experience about the industry they are working in. From the beginning, PM needs to be able to understand the needs of the stakeholders,the legal and social requirements, and what is the new industry Product and its place in that market. In addition, without the proper knowledge it well be hard to determine the Cost,the right resources, and to predict the changes that will come along the way and how to work with them, which will be time consuming, and that might lead to missed deadlines, cost overruns and rework.

 

 
Posted : 26/01/2020 10:02 pm
 dfn3
(@dfn3)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
 

There are a couple of qualities that go into being a Project Manager such as, effectives communication skills, strong leadership, good decision making, ability to work with others and most of all technical expertise. I believe that being a project manager in different projects is possible because most qualities of a project manager carry over to different projects. The one quality that does not would be "technical expertise" which would depend on the certain project. For example a project manager on a medical device project would have different expertise and knowledge compared to a project manager at a construction site. A project manager of a medical device understands the architecture behind a device while a project manager understands the architecture behind a skyscraper. With this being said I believe that it could be possible for a PM of a Medical Device project could also be a PM of a construction site. I believe this because a project manager no matter where they are has leadership skills and communication skills. The definition of a "Project" does not change because the subject changes so understanding the different departments should not be a problem. The difference would be the expertise but that could also be taught. I do believe that a PM of a medical device project could also be a PM of a construction site. 

 
Posted : 26/01/2020 11:49 pm
 dfn3
(@dfn3)
Posts: 78
Trusted Member
 

@cjm64

I agree that the underlying concepts are the same overall for project managers. But I do not think that switching would be that difficult. I think that if a project manager should be able to work with anyone so switching to a different company to different people should not be a problem. But I do understand about your thought about the carryover. The technical knowledge between a medical device industry to a construction industry could be very different. 

 
Posted : 26/01/2020 11:56 pm
(@mam289)
Posts: 39
Eminent Member
 

To analyze the questions asked regarding managing projects of all types, it helps to separate the term project manager into its constituent parts: project and manager. Projects from different businesses and industries are obviously different in their overall goals and functions, and it takes a certain skill set and level of knowledge regarding the technical details of the project to be in charge of executing the project. However, some management techniques can be applied to any project regardless of the subject matter. These techniques include both management and interpersonal skills. Some management skills that can be applied to any project include time management, organization, and critical thinking and planning. Moreover, some interpersonal skills that can (and should) be utilized in any type of project are communication, positive reinforcement, emotional intelligence, and dependability.

 
Posted : 25/01/2021 5:32 pm
(@jaf22)
Posts: 83
Trusted Member
 
Posted by: @orleron

How do you think Project Management differs in different industries or different types of Project? If you are a great PM for doing Medical Device Projects, does that mean I can throw you into a software company and have you make a program like Microsoft Office? Or can I throw you onto a construction site and make you build a skyscraper?

What sorts of things would be different, as far as you can tell, in the methods that would be used and the complexities involved?

I think project management in the medical device industry does not necessarily make one an expert in being a project manager in other industries. The medical device industry is highly regulated and scrutinized due to the nature that the products deal with. Tolerances are extremely tight and multiple areas of the business must be dealt with with the highest level of intricate knowledge whether that may be risk analysis or biocompatibility. Patient safety is kept in mind during the full process. Many other industries like construction and the food industry have a larger tolerance towards dimensioning and acceptability. For example, the food industry has an allowable limit of bugs, feces, and hair acceptable in the products sold. If a product manager who is used to the tight tolerances of the medical device industry, they may over-scrutinize a teams performance and cause delays due to issues the manager identifies that may not be an actual issue to the rest of the teams/competitors. In terms of a project manager transition from medical device to software, that is where it gets tricky. It is good to be highly involved in issues in software, but their tolerances lie outside of the development stage. Software developers and technical support are allowed to patch bugs and issues post launch without much trouble from a third party or federal agency. A medical device group is allowed less than 1 percent on some devices (implants in higher classification depending on the regulatory body) where a project manager who is used to these types high risk projects may see fires in software development post launch fixes that may interrupt the natural team performance. 

I'm not saying that a project manager cannot transition well into other industries. As long as the project manager is aware on their flexibility in the respective industry and what is different from the medical device group they were part of prior, then they can excel in their new role. The medical device industry, being highly regulated and scrutinized, gives a project manager the ability to remain calm and think through difficult situations that encompass many different branches that medical device touches upon. They become aware of issues in manufacturing, testing, marketing, sales, etc. that can be translated to other industries (albeit, more lax on acceptance criteria). It all depends on the individual, but I would definitely say that a project manager in medical device is vastly different from a project manager in a less regulated industry due to the nature medical device encompasses. 

 
Posted : 25/01/2021 11:03 pm
(@jmeghai)
Posts: 79
Trusted Member
 

Project Management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet the project requirements. Project management brings a unique focus shaped by the goals, resources and schedule of each project.

Every project manager has the same work force; either in the biomedical industry or construction site. Their scope is to plan, budget, execute, and measure all aspects of a project. Though many businesses or industries run complicated projects that require effective project management. But due to the abstract nature of their role, project managers can essentially work anywhere — in any physical location, with any size of company, in any industry.

That been said, having all these great skills does not mean you will be an excellent project manager or will fit right into every projects or company’s project. Having the general interpersonal skills can help a whole lot, which is one of the basic skills needed but does not mean you know the technical skills needed to execute a project in the construction site or a software company. That is why organizations  have upper management and multiple teams and departments who are involved in several extensive projects and have the knowledge in a particular profession that can bring in the technical skills when initiating a project in any industry you find yourself.

 

 

 
Posted : 28/01/2021 6:42 am
(@mark-abdelshahed)
Posts: 80
Trusted Member
 

I believe that there still can be an ideal PM. I feel like soft skills are the key for success of any project manager; problem solving, communication, and time organization are the most important soft skills that are a must for a project manager. In terms of technical knowledge, yes I agree not all project managers are going to know everything about all different engineering fields, however, having a good experience in any field can definitely be applied. In other words, a project manager has some daily tasks that have be done including following up with each team member on pending action items, providing the leadership team project updates, and checking the financials of the project to ensure that the project is still within budget. All those things are common in any industry and any experience gained can be applied. Of course it is not that easy to switch fields and expect no difficulties, it is going to take some time to understand the projects related to that field. An ideal project manager is simply a problem solver and a presenter that knows exactly how to communicate information within the team and at the same time communicate project updates to the business.

 
Posted : 28/01/2021 8:48 pm
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