Where to start as a new project manager with no experience
People transitioning into their first project management roles often arrive completely unprepared and have no idea what to do. Without the time or money for a formal university program, they just need a basic theoretical foundation to understand what their experienced colleagues are talking about.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Taking affordable online courses on platforms like Coursera or edXDid this help you?
- 2Enrolling in local community college coursesDid this help you?
- 3Using AI to learn Waterfall and Agile basicsDid this help you?
- 4Seeking informal mentorship and support from experienced project managers on the teamDid this help you?
- 5Consulting with program managers on what has worked in the past before implementing any new changes.Did this help you?
- 6Taking basic project management classes online to grasp what being a PM actually entails.Did this help you?
- 7Shadowing experienced colleagues to learn existing processes.Did this help you?
- 8Asking the customer early on exactly what kind of PMO they want and expect.Did this help you?
- 9Building trust by chasing overdue actions days before a meeting so the PM isn't surprised in front of a sponsor.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I am probably about to start working as Junior PMO consultant as first job. I have no experience in the field, and am an engineer actually.”source ↗
“Knowing what I know now, I would be nervous to take on this role as my first job.”source ↗
“I have been a project manager assistant for the last year and soon they want me to start managing a new project. I have no idea where to start or what to do.”source ↗
“So I don't have the time or money to do a real university program or whatnot.”source ↗
“Was super boring and not rewarding unless you’re capable of making real change. You’re too far removed from the work on the ground and the money.”source ↗
“I will have support from other PMs but I just need a good theory foundation so I would understand what they are talking about.”source ↗
“I have not been prepared for a single step of this journey but what a ride it’s been.”source ↗
Where this came up
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