Curriculum for a Consulting Project Manager 101 Class

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has many different Special Interest Groups (SIGs) in order to meet the needs of its 250,000 members. PMI has asked the question:

What should be the curriculum if we had a Consulting Project Manager 101 Class?

Here are my thoughts:

  1. The book “Flawless Consulting” by Peter Block should be a primary text. It’s not only a practical book on how to become a consultant, but also an inspiring treatise on the importance of integrity and honesty. Block’s main point is that we have to bring our entire, authentic self to our consulting. I found this to be invaluable advice when I was starting out.
  2. I’d like to see a module on “How Teaching PM makes you a better PM Consultant.” I’ve become an adjunct faculty member at a local graduate school and have been amazed at how well teaching and consulting go together. I’m able to bring real world examples to the classroom, and I have all the language and techniques of PM at the top of my brain because I’ve just been teaching those concepts to students.
  3. How about a section on “You and Your PMI Chapter”? My local Chapter is a great resource for two reasons. First, the Chapter is helping to educate our local business community about the value of project management. Second, I get to network and brainstorm with local colleagues, which helps me to stay energized and excited.
  4. Legal Issues: we all need to be kept up to date on how to develop a good contract, what kind of insurance to maintain, and how to avoid incurring liability.

What else do should be part of the curriculum?


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