Who Benefits from Learning Project Management Skills?

Was your answer “Everyone”? If so, good answer! If not, then read on to get some additional insights into why project management skills benefit both individuals and organizations.

The other day an email landed in my Inbox and it contained a job posting for an Editorial Associate. I decided to look at the skills required to apply for this position as an Editorial Associate. You guessed it! Project management skills were listed as “preferred skills” for this role. This experience led me to check out other job postings to see which jobs may have project management skills listed as “required” or “preferred”. Wow. Check out some of these job titles that were part of my search:

• Operations Associate

• Administrative Lead

• Trainer

• Regional Program Director

• Grants Manager

• Executive Assistant

• Corporate Development & Strategy Lead

• Chief of Staff

• Communications Manager

• Event Management Associate

• Customer Service Representative'

• Process Improvement Analyst

• Vendor Coordinator

Oh, and let’s not forget roles like Project Manager, Project Coordinator, Project Director, and Project Analyst just to name a few!

Many people believe that only Project Managers need project management skills. Wrong. There are more people with project management skills than there are people with the title of Project Manager. Project management skills are the underlying capabilities that enable individuals and organizations to be successful. These skills drive project success, strategic goal achievement, process improvements and a host of other efforts that take place on a regular basis in all organizations - big and small, profit and non-profit.

Learning, understanding and applying project management skills to your work efforts can increase your effectiveness and success with your projects, in addition to raising your level of confidence when working with project teams, colleagues, vendors and leaders. Can you imagine what it would be like if everyone on your team understood project management practices, knew how projects unfold and who is responsible for which tasks? Wow. Can you envision the power of that scenario? Developing standards, as well as having consistency in practice and a project framework that aligns with your organization, will raise your level of success in completing your projects. Doesn’t everyone want to be successful?

I suggest that you take some time to think about how you could benefit from learning project management skills. Regardless of your title, if you learn, understand and apply project management skills you will be setting yourself up for success with your projects and your career. Keep in mind all of the job titles I shared with you. More and more organizations are looking for individuals that understand project management practices. Promote yourself - learn project management!

Who benefits from learning project management skills? You!

Go for it! You can do this!