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*** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 *** The Daily Telegraph Learn while you earn Make the most of your employment by picking up the skills of a project manager along the way, says Gabrielle Collett-White PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIAL REPORT *** B11 The way forward Construction project manager Stephen Hall tells Thea Jourdan that proposed cuts to public sector budgets are bound to affect ways of working INTERVIEW Stephen Hall is a director for Gardiner & Theobald LLP, a construction and property consultancy. makes this less attractive, and replace them with permanent staff or consultants. Q WHAT DO YOU THINK PUBLIC SECTOR PM WILL LOOK LIKE IN FIVE YEARS? A Project management is recognised as a core discipline within organisations that change, and the public sector is no exception. It is now viewed as an essential way to run operations, not an optional one, and will be placed even more firmly at the heart of public sector, helping it to compete with the commercial sector on an equal footing. Q WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF WORKING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR? A Over 15 years, I have done both public sector and commercial work, but in the past three years my focus has been on construction projects for Health and Education. I am currently working with a team at St Thomas Hospital to provide a new home for the Department of Twin Research. Im also working on a new University Campus Building in East London Project management is now viewed as an essential way to run operations Q WILL PM S BECOME MORE DESIRABLE DUE TO THEIR COST MANAGEMENT SKILLS? A Project Management is focused on delivering best value, and cost management is clearly going to ensure that the public sector gets best value for money. Through introducing discipline and focus to the way projects are run, project managers enhance value and improve delivery. Forward-thinking public bodies acknowledge the advantage that well-run projects provide, and appreciate the benefits of using professional teams. Headspace: students at the University of Reading; below, graduates of the Open University Whether you have the discipline for distance learning, the luck to work for a company with in-house training or the patience to do a Masters degree in your spare time, there are plenty of ways to learn the skills of a project manager while working full-time. The key is to find a scheme that suits your needs and your level of competency, says Adrian Dooley, who is on the Professional Development board at the Association for Project Management (APM). Employers tend to have preferred qualifications, so get plenty of advice before you start. Organisations across the board are looking to bring in bright graduates, or train up in-house employees. Siemens plc, the National Nuclear Laboratory and BAE Systems have all established training schemes. Outside the workplace there are both distance and part-time learning courses for graduates, as well as for more senior PM professionals who want to give themselves a mid-career boost. From its roots in construction and IT, project management has grown into diverse markets including energy and engineering. A commitment to continuing professional development will put you in a good position when looking for your next role in any sector, says Lindsay Scott, director of specialist recruiters, Arras People. UNIVERSITY OF READING Course MSc Project Management How long Two years part-time Workload Eight intensive residential weeks at the university spread over the two years and backed up by internet- based distance learning. Accredited by CIOB and RICS Aimed at Established professionals working towards a senior project management role. Qualification gained Masters Entry requirements Applicants should hold a good degree or be a member of a relevant professional body, and have at least two years of professional experience. Course content Four core modules, which are principles of project management, design management, human resource management and construction contract law, plus four others of students choice. Teaching and learning methods Lectures, tutorials and seminars Outcomes Senior project management roles across the industry. Cost 4,860 for home/EU students per year and 6,290 for overseas/ non-EU students. OPEN UNIVERSITY TRAINING AT Distance Learning BAE SYSTEMS Course M865 Project Management How long Six months In-house scheme Workload Seven to eight hours a week Accredited by APM Aimed at Postgraduates working in a project environment. Qualification gained M865, accredited by the APM as equivalent to the APMP Entry requirements Applicants should have studied up to HNC/HND level or have equivalent employment experience. They also need some experience of working in a project environment. Course content Topics include project initiation, risk, estimating and contracts, planning, human factors, project execution and standard management methods. Teaching and learning methods Course books, project management software and a course website, plus optional online forums. Outcome A solid grounding for those looking to move into PM or progress in their career. Cost 1,025 Q WHAT IMPACT WILL PUBLIC SECTOR CUTS HAVE ON PROJECT MANAGERS (PM S )? A There are likely to be fewer public sector projects, so this will mean there is less work to go around. But project managers are experts at handling change. I expect PMs to adapt to a potential reduction in public spending, just as they did to the recession 18 months ago. They will have to demonstrate their worth and be more flexible. Clients will be seeking greater assurance that using qualified project managers adds real value. Course Project Management Developing You (PMDY) How long Core modules (1-6) normally completed over 1-2 years. Workload Modules 1-6 include 19 days with the APM. Accredited by APM and PMI (US) Aimed at Coaching the project management community within BAE Systems. Qualification gained Core modules lead to an APMP, other modules up to Masters level. Entry requirements None for the core modules. Course content Supports the career development of all levels of project managers across the business. Teaching and learning methods Full and part-time courses and e-learning supporting on-the-job training. Outcome Senior project management roles across the global business. Cost Covered by individual business areas within BAE Systems. Extra capacity: a new clinical trial facility that Stephen Hall has helped build at St Thomas Hospital Q HOW DO YOU GET THAT MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PEOPLE HOLDING THE BUDGETS? A I would tell them that it is better to invest for the long term than make short-term savings which will cost dearly later on. No organisation can afford to have their projects managed poorly. Good team management, accountability, clarity and a benefits-focused approach can only be brought about through strong leadership. Q ARE THE JOBS LIKELY TO CHANGE? A The types of job openings in the public sector are likely to change. We can expect to see public bodies reduce the number of seconded or interim positions, as the current tax position S E I L R P R P C A E O T P O E T R J C M N G M N A A E E T SPECIAL REPORT PROJECT All in good time Effective project management (PM) is the key to success of any major undertaking, and the stakes are high. The money currently being spent on the UKs 43 most complex projects in government alone tops 200 billion. A project manager has overall responsibility fo T MANAGEMENT PHOTOLIBRARY In association with PMs top 10 movers and shakers A pick of the UKs most influential people in project management* Dan Epstein Olympic project manager heading up sustainability with the Olympic Delivery Authority, Epstein plans to make the 2012 London Games the greenest eve *** B10 *** *** THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 THE DAILY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORT PROJECT MANAGEMENT *** The Daily Telegraph PHOTOLIBRARY Heart of the matter Imagine the complexity of managing a major project such as the upgrade of a busy London Underground station or an Olympic Park preparation project f *** *** THE DAILY TELEGRAPH THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2010 *** The Daily Telegraph Learn while you earn Make the most of your employment by picking up the skills of a project manager along the way, says Gabrielle Collett-White PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIAL REPORT *** B11 The way forward Construction project