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Train your staff with project management consulting firms

Explore the options that project management consultants can bring to your business, from finding the projects to hiring the contractors and bringing in the best vendors for your project. An IT project manager consultant can suggest the best software for your project and train your staff to use it, while construction project management consultants can train managers and crews in the field in all aspects of a development.

I recommend: Look for a firm like Business Management Consultants to create custom training as well as provide follow-up and executive coaching for your own in-house project managers. Your project managers may be proficient in some areas, but lacking skills in other critical areas such as contract creation or managing budgets. Look for training from a company such as Spire that can provide that important missing skills training.

Increase your efficiency with project management consultants

Project management consultants can introduce you to project software programs and time keeping applications to make the best use of your resources. There is project management software available now that can cut project time drastically and a consultant can put you on to the best programs for your use. Request a review of your client list so the consultant can point you to emerging markets.

I recommend: Costs of projects need to be managed by purchasing from the best vendors and buying the right amount of materials. A consultancy such as CCL Construction Consultants can bring in the expertise for that purpose. If you have multiple projects going on at the same time, you'll want to take advantage of portfolio management tools that can be available through a firm such as Project Management Solutions.

Contract continued project management consulting company services

You may reduce some of your costs by outsourcing some or all of your operations to a project management consulting company. They can set up your new systems and manage the delivery and day-to-day business of your programs.

I recommend: Each project requires a different level of competency that sometimes cannot be fulfilled by one consulting firm. Continue making the most of project management consultants such as CornerStone Select Resources Group that matches independent project management consultants with companies in logistics and IT. If you prefer to work with consultants that handle all of their own payroll and run the operations, consider hiring a global firm such as Turner & Townsend to control costs, create and maintain contracts and stand in for dispute resolution.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hire a project manager consultant for a small project first to see how your staff gets along with the consultants before bringing in the outside firm for longer and more in-depth assignments.

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Consider some project management software

Project management software can do all of the logistical planning, but it tends to fall short of creatively predicting troubles or changes in schedules. For projects that require a lot of expertise and thought, there is no replacement for an experienced project management consultant. If your project is less unpredictable, project management software may be all you need.

I recommend: QuickBase, @Task, and MinuteMan Systems all offer downloadable project management software and free 30-day trials. If you don't want your project management information isolated to one computer, you can try a web-based project management program, such as BaseCamp, VSC Online, or WorkZone.

Compare some of the major project management consultant companies

Large project management consulting companies offer many benefits. For one, you will get access to a pool of project manager consultants with a wide array of expertise. You can also get access to training tools that may help you avoid needing to contact a project manager consultant in the future.

I recommend: Advanced Management Services for the most comprehensive list of project consultants. BMC Consulting also provides an array of project management consulting services, arranged by the current stage of the business seeking PM consultants.

Look for an independent project management consultant

In choosing independent pm consultants you get the benefit of an experienced professional and you also get the benefit of choosing the project consultants that best fit your company needs.

I recommend: searching through the resumes posted on the Association for Internal Management Consultants website. You can also advertise for project management consulting services through one of several freelance sites. Get A Freelancer and iFreelance both have project managers bidding for jobs posted by businesses. Simply stipulate that you're looking for a consultant project manager, and wait to see the response.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Big firms offer more than just project management consulting services. They can also help train your staff.
• •  If you're not sure which route to go, start with a 30 day trial of project management software. If you need more help with your project managing, look into an individual or firm project consultants.

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Look for certification to work for project management consulting companies

When companies hire PM consultants, they often look for people that have certification showing that they have training in project management skills. This is particularly helpful for those that do not have experience and want to break into the field. A certification course will teach you everything you need to know.

I recommend: The Project Management Institute offers certification programs in project management. Many colleges, such as the UC Berkeley Extension also offer programs to receive certification in project management.

Look for free training for project consultants

If you don't have a lot of money to spend, there are many online resources that can help you learn more about project management. This is ideal for someone that already has a solid foundation in project management, but wants to learn some of the latest information.

I recommend: Project Management Basics offers a wealth of knowledge about project management. If you already know a bit about how to use spreadsheets, you can use the downloadable tutorials at Production-Scheduling.com.

Attend seminars to learn more about being a project management consultant

Seminars and workshops can help you to learn new skills in a short period of time. This is also a great opportunity to interact with other project management consultants.

I recommend: The American Management Association offers seminars in project management. Franklin Covey is a leader in time management techniques. They offer a one-day seminar in project management, as well as other time management seminars that you may be interested in.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An important aspect of being a project management consultant is knowing how to use the tools available. There is a wide range of products that can help you to manage your projects. Look for a product that offers a good level of support and training, whether you choose a software program or a paper planner.

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PM consultants

PM refers to project management. Project management is a big part of any construction project where time, labor and materials have to be overseen by someone who understands that ins and outs of construction. A PM consultant should be an experienced expert in quality project management approaches.

I recommend: Free Management Library provides a good definition along with the scope involved in project management.

Project development stages

Project management isn't a static job. A PM consultant should be able to work through the different stages of a project. Each stage requires different skills and processes.

I recommend: Business and Companies devotes a good amount to space explaining each stage in developing a project, what is required in terms of project management and how the project is brought to fruition.

Project risk management

Risk management principles are applied to different businesses, most notably in the world of finance. Yet, its principles are applicable to all kinds of projects as a whole. Is the risk in not making the schedule? Is the risk regarding specialized labor conditions? A project manager consultant is, through experience, able to determine what risks may come up in the future and develop strategies to minimize those risks. No matter what size project you're working on or what project management theory you follow, you want someone who can perceive risks and take action to avoid them.

I recommend: Coblands Consulting defines risk management and elucidates the principles behind it.

Critical chain

Critical chain management is one theory or brand of project management. Its concern is working with resources under a deadline.

I recommend: Focused Performance defines critical chain management and goes the extra mile with a long FAQ list.

PRINCE2

A consultant who works in this mode of project management focuses on controlling each stage or portion of project in order to accomplish the project in its entirety.

I recommend: EZarticles breaks down the different components in the PRINCE2 project management theory, highlighting where it differs from other modes of project management consulting.

International standards

International standards is a device for measuring project management approaches and relegating them to have the same meaning and be accepted by various organizations and groups internationally. International standards are particularly important if you're working on a government project. A project management consultant should be knowledgeable about these standards.

I recommend: PM Forum provides links to international groups and associations that conform to international standards for project management.