TEPM 036: 5 Actions for Transitioning New Project Managers Successfully

In this episode, I talk about five actions that can help you in transitioning new project managers into their roles successfully. By implementing these actions, firms can support the growth and development of their project managers, driving profitability and long-term success. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About 5 Actions for Transitioning New Project Managers Successfully: Provide trial opportunities in project management. Let your team try short assignments, rotate roles, or explore non-project tasks like technology research. This helps them ease into project management, find potential talent, and boost job satisfaction, allowing confident career choices as they've tried and liked the experience. Require hands-on project management experience before promotion. Instead of naming them project managers right away, give them roles like task manager, handling specific project tasks. Start with smaller responsibilities on non-billable projects, then progress. Individuals gain confidence and essential skills through experiential learning, like co-managing project components and shadowing senior managers. This ensures they're well-prepared for the project manager role before official promotion. Provide thorough training for future project managers beyond one-time sessions. Embrace ongoing learning with well-planned programs covering the project life cycle, avoiding overload in a single day. Use a gradual, multi-level approach, introducing basics early and advancing over time. Recognize the three key skills: technical, project management, and people leadership. Tailor the training to cover all aspects, ensuring project managers develop a versatile skill set that adapts to the field's evolving demands. Utilize mentorship in project management for success. Accomplished managers credit guidance from experienced colleagues. Alongside training, encourage mentorship, letting new managers learn from seasoned professionals. Practical aspects are best learned through experience, and mentorship provides a valuable avenue. It doesn't have to be formal — create opportunities for senior managers to guide newcomers through calls or collaboration sessions. Combining virtual training with in-person interactions ensures effective learning and strong team relationships. Embrace continuous learning in project management for sustained success. Establish a PMO or community, offer a hotline, and provide online resources for ongoing upskilling. Create an environment where project managers can confidently say they have continuous support, including dedicated training and collaboration calls. This approach ensures their continual growth, driving sustained success and organizational profitability. More Details in This Episode… Sources/References: Project Management Accelerator™ Engineering Leadership Accelerator™ We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on transitioning a new project manager into their role successfully. Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below. If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download. Download the Productivity Routines To your success, Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP Engineering Management Institute Author of Engineer Your Own Success