Building Talent, Driving Results

• Classroom Training
• On-site Training
• Online Training
• Professional Services

Student Q & A

Background

John Magnusson knows project management. As a senior program manager in the Project Management Office at Compaq Federal LLC, part of the new Hewlett-Packard, he is the 911 for project managers. When project managers face challenges during their projects, they ask for his guidance and expertise. "I try to encourage them to look at the bigger picture and to not only understand what needs to be done but why the project is critical," he said. And, occasionally, he will step in to steer a troubled project to a successful end.

As a 36-year project management veteran, John has guided many mission-critical projects, including commercial and government projects for the new Hewlett-Packard and overseeing the establishment of a mobile computer system used in Operation Desert Shield during his 20-year career for the U.S. Army. John said that his extensive experience in the field has taught him that good project management not only requires good tactical planning but also strategic business skills.

Although John had received an ESI/GW Master's Certificate in Project Management, he decided to pursue an ESI/GW Advanced Master's Certificate in Project Management to hone his project management strategy skills. In the process, John became the first graduate of the program and the first to receive the Advanced Master's Certificate. John said the advanced program has helped him move to the next level of project management. He recently shared his thoughts on project management and the value of pursuing an Advanced Master's Certificate in Project Management.

1. Why did you decide to pursue an Advanced Master's Certificate in Project Management?

"I had already earned the Master's Certificate in Project Management and was a PMP®, but I was looking for courses that would further enhance my knowledge as a project manager and they were difficult to find. The courses leading to the Advanced Master's Certificate were the kind of training I needed.

Once the Advanced Master's Certificate program was announced, I set a personal goal to earn the certificate as soon as possible and was supported by my management, who believed enough in the program to fund the training. I was very honored to be the first to receive the Advanced Master's Certificate.

When I completed the courses, I highly recommended them to the company. The courses helped me make the transition from a project manager to a program manager. The courses taught me how to take the broader view of projects and appreciate the strategy behind the projects.

Since I received the Advanced Master's Certificate, at least one of the advanced project management courses has been added to my company's Project Management University, and we are also conducting some of the courses internally at selected locations. My company places great importance on project management training, and the leadership felt these courses were ideal for our experienced project managers."

2. How will the material covered in the Advanced Master's Certificate help you on the job?

"In my role in the Project Management Office as a senior program manager, I work with project managers as a mentor and as a project management consultant to business managers. The ESI courses have helped me take a more strategic view of projects and to help aspiring project managers make the same shift. For instance, I encourage them to expand their stakeholder analysis and to concentrate on the goal of the program, executive strategy and customer expectations.

Also, the leadership skills I learned in the courses have helped me better coach project managers working in a matrix environment. With these courses, I feel better prepared to serve the project management community within my company and to help them provide best-in-class project management to our customers."

3. What did you like most about your ESI courses?

"The ESI instructors are what make these educational experiences worthwhile. They display such zeal for their subject and are truly subject matter experts. They are well read and have a breadth of personal experience that allows them to incorporate real-world examples into the material covered. In the 14 courses I've attended at ESI, I have been impressed with all the instructors."

4. What is your biggest challenge on the job?

"Selling project management to customers is especially difficult. Project management is different from what business managers perceive of as management. Project management takes special training to use all of the project management tools and techniques. Some customers think that project management should be overhead as opposed to a direct charge and they don't see it as a separate function of a project. It isn't always recognized as a discipline."

"Also, with the larger projects, there's more interaction at the executive level and being able to relate on their level is a must. You have to know how to put yourself in their shoes and how to view the project from a strategic level."

5. Would you recommend this program to other colleagues?

"Yes, I'd especially recommend it to those who have the Master's Certificate in Project Management and the Project Management Professional (PMP®). To stay ahead of the curve, you have to master new tricks. This track is particularly helpful, if you are trying to make the transition from a project manager to a program manager who will manage other project managers and projects. Now, projects, particularly in IT, tend to be smaller and often are part of larger programs that don't have a beginning or an end. The customer doesn't always know what he or she needs and this means that the experienced project managers become more involved in the actual strategy and become more of a business consultant."

Second, sharing war stories and strategies with contract managers at other firms helps us all better understand the differing positions and views of the other party to the contract. This, in turn, improves the business relationship and speeds the negotiation process."

6. What did you like best about your ESI courses?

"In my opinion, the best features are the quality of course development and delivery by the experienced instructors. Most of them have years of practical application experience. My favorite courses were Business Law and the Uniform Commercial Code and Financial Management of Commercial Contracts

From my experience, most contract managers have a business rather than legal background. The Business Law class provided interesting background information on our legal system and particular statutes. I think this helps us better interact with the lawyers. I also liked the Financial Management class because I could see a direct correlation between my own experience at NCR and the financial impact of non-standard terms and conditions in our contracts.

I should also comment on the very pleasant classroom facilities in Washington, DC and Arlington, VA. I always look forward to visiting the area."

7. Are there any trends in commercial contract management you think are interesting now?

"Yes, two come to mind. First, global contracting is becoming more common at NCR due to its increasingly wide reach in global outsourcing and services contracts. With these agreements, special consideration must be given to invoicing, taxes, dispute resolution and currency issues. Our customers are demanding that we support their global needs, and our contracting team must support this business requirement.

Second, both buyers and suppliers are becoming more sophisticated on the commercial side, driven in part by the increase in professional contract programs and outside negotiating seminars. Each party is looking for a better deal in their contracts to meet economic and competitive demands. Although competitive, both parties need to keep in mind that cooperation and partnership will drive a successful win-win relationship."

Customer Service Phone: (888) ESI-8884 | +1 (703) 558-3000 (outside U.S.) | E-mail: esi-info@esi-intl.com

Site Map | Request Copyright Permission to Use ESI Material | Privacy Policy | Web Site Feedback | © ESI International, Inc. 2008. All rights reserved.