Project Management to the Rescue

If you listen to the news, especially over the past few months, you would think being effective is next to impossible. But that's just not true when you look at what Project Management can accomplish. There is always opportunity, even when it disguises itself as a difficulty, and even when the economy isn't doing well. To make the most of those opportunities, you need to be able to recognize them, have a plan in place for how to handle them, and be ready to use the Project Management tools in your toolbox.

Look at change as the perfect opportunity for you to change your personal and professional world using your Project Management skills. Here are a few ways you can get started:

• Decide what you need and want to learn so you can help yourself, your organization and others to be successful. Look for formal and informal learning opportunities.
• Develop a safety net so you can take appropriate risks in your career and your projects when change happens. It's not just Boy Scouts who should always be prepared.
• Create a change management plan for your life. When new opportunities or difficulties come along, assess how they will impact your overall goals, and develop a strategy that makes change part of your reality.

If you'd like more tips on how to get the most from opportunities and change, read this month's Know How Network article, and check out Translating PM Skills into Opportunities to see the benefits of different Project Management skills.