project initiating 1
Discussion
Deliverable Length:
1 Page
Assignment Objectives:
Apply project management tools and techniques to all phases of the project or program life cycle, with special focus on risk and quality management, stakeholder management, and other key areas as determined by the instructor.
Integrate and utilize key concepts and knowledge from prior courses in the students’ project management program and general management courses.
Integrate project activities and resources across projects within a program and/or across programs.
Assignment Details
Click here for instructions on how to download MS Project.
Please note: This course requires use of the Microsoft Project 2010 (or later) software application. The 2010 version and those released later are similar and suitable for the assignments. Please note the software is not compatible with Mac computers. The course requires a project management software application and in alignment with industry standards, CTU uses Microsoft Project. If you are using a Mac, you must find a comparable project management software tool such as Project Libre or OpenProject. Students who use a Mac should consider the best option to alternative software or use a PC with Project. An internet search for “Project alternatives for Mac” can provide many of these options. Students are expected to review the options and determine the best for success in the course deliverables. Communication with your faculty member early in the course regarding this issue or any others is strongly recommended.
Project management software such as Project 2010 allows project managers to input data related to the project and monitor the project’s progress. One of the first activities a Project Manager performs is to determine the project scope, which is the description of the final deliverable of the project. Once the scope has been defined, project managers can determine the work breakdown structure based on the work needed to the performed in the project. The tasks to get the work done are input into the project’s schedule. In Project 2010, the tasks can be input prior to creating the work breakdown structure. Please check with your instructor if this SW is required and to learn about the options to acquire it.
The Value of You
Using Indeed.com, identify three current positions in your field that interest you. Then, use Careeronestop.org and/or BLS.gov to conduct research on the three positions you are interested in and answer the following questions.
- What are the job titles you found in your research of job descriptions?
- Briefly summarize what employers are asking for in terms of experience, education and other qualifications.
- How do you match up with what employers say they need? What qualifications do you have that align?
- What are the gaps between what you currently have to offer and what the employer expects?
- What will you do to overcome those gaps? (Please note: Few people will have everything an employer advertises, so aim to have about 60-70% of the stated qualifications. If you find that you have less than that and you are not qualified for the jobs you identified, then go back again and search for new jobs for which you are qualified. You might need to look for more entry-level jobs. If you don’t have experience in your field, where do you need to start to get experience?)
- Look for themes among the job ads. List at least three core competencies that someone needs to do that job effectively. In other words, what are the skills, characteristics and abilities a successful candidate must have (e.g., analysis, forecasting, budgeting, complex decision making, ethics/compliance, persistence, number orientation, communication, specific software knowledge, etc.)?
- For each of the three core competencies do the following:
- Think about how you can demonstrate that you have proven that you possess that competency. In other words, think about times when you have demonstrated those skills and characteristics. What did you do? How well did you do it? What was the result? What specific, detailed, concrete examples can you provide to your future employer that demonstrates your value? As you think about how you demonstrate these skills, consider this a personal success “story†you can tell to prove your ability. Your stories can come from your work experience, education, volunteer work, even personal life (if those stories are professional and relevant). See examples of stories in Resources.
- For each competency, condense the story into one powerful accomplishment action bullet that you can use on your resume. See examples of action bullets in Resources.
- If you had to describe the value you gained from this course to your future employer in an interview, how would you do that? What story would you tell about this educational experience? What have you learned from running your own simulated business that will help you add value to your future employer? Write an answer for how you might tell that story on your next interview?
Next Steps: Recommendations to help your career objectives
You have begun to create the book of stories to use in your career search and advancement, but this is just the start. Where you take your stories from here is up to you. It is not enough to just have experience or education in your field. You also need to know how to communicate your value. As you move your career forward, consider further how you might use these stories to demonstrate your value. Find ways to add to your book of stories. Use them to write your resume, network, see your own value, prepare for your next interview, and more.
As you graduate and build your career, CTU is here to support you. You have your own dedicated career coach assigned to you to help you make sure that you are telling your personal success stories in a way that will set you apart in the job marketplace. You can contact your career coach to schedule an appointment by e-mailing careerservices@ctuonline.edu.
Resources
- How to Identify Your Target Jobs
- Develop Your Personal Success Stories
- Action Bullets on Your Resume
- Creating Your Profile
- Job Search Checklist
- Job Search Steps
- Advanced Tips
References
Indeed. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.indeed.com/
LinkedIn. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.linkedin.com/