Online Degrees in Project ManagementWhat is Project Management?Project management sounds simple but is actually a complex responsibility that involves developing, directing and monitoring all aspects of a particular business project. The project could be something small—such as arranging for the installation of new hospital equipment, or it could be massive and complex, such as directing the building of a highway interchange system. A major industry is likely to be working on several projects simultaneously. Schools offering online certification/ training courses/ degrees:
For example, a tire manufacturing company might be designing new machinery for a new vehicle planned by a company that makes road grading equipment, modifying existing machines to accommodate a change in design for a particular model of car, and completing a rush order of tires for existing cars all at the same time. When industry was smaller and the processes slower, a company would hire foremen for various departments and shifts, each such leader responsible for all the processes in his area. Today’s industries have discovered that processes are completed more efficiently and with better quality when a single individual—a project manager—directs and coordinates the various pieces of one project. A project manager could be an engineer, an MBA, an IT specialist, or any other professional who is capable of organizing a project, helping people keep their part of the project on track, and creating reports to inform upper level management of the progress. Some people refer to project management as "paper pushing," and it does involve a lot of paper work, but it also requires an ability to quickly comprehend the requirements, deadlines and potential pitfalls of any project to which the project manager may be assigned. Nearly every business, from health care to manufacturing, can use project managers. In some cases, such individuals may be independent contractors while in others they are simply employees who have a solid understanding of the business, an ability to work with others, and a sense of commitment toward getting a job done. Project managers require an ability to manipulate every aspect of a project along with interpersonal skills for working with all types of individuals. Modern industry realizes that project management is not something most people are born with. Thus, businesses seem partial to business managers who have earned certification that testifies to their skills. Numerous online universities have added training courses in project management to their curriculums. The program you will choose will depend on the type of project management you want to do. For example, you might choose from:
Salaries are attractive for project managers regardless of the field ranging from median salaries of $79,000 to well into the six figure range. |
