The Global Project Manager

Classes began last week for The Global Project Manager, a nine-module diploma program offered by the Ateneo Graduate School of Business Center for Continuing Education in conjunction with the Philippine-chapter of the Project Management Institute (PMI). I've enrolled myself in the full diploma program, which runs until the end of September, and am working towards getting certified as a Project Management Professional at the end of the program.

Last week we completed the first module, an introduction to project management facilitated by Dr. Kenneth Smith, PMP. The intensive four-day eight-hour-a-day module brought us quickly through the basics of project management including key concepts like the Work Breakdown Structure, Critical Path method, and Earned Value. We did a lot of practical work as teams, which brought us closer to actual project management experience than just sitting through a class listening to a lecturer.

The experience was gruelling, especially since I had to juggle school and work with a painful 9am - 5pm class schedule impacting three working days, but I made significant steps on the journey towards project management excellence, and look forward to the more detailed modules coming up as part of the program.