Emerging FAC makes new Project Managers a Hot Acquisition
The market shifts from minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day, and year to year. Changing markets supply new opportunity for project managers. During the recent blizzard that blanketed Washington, DC and surrounding areas, my friend Bill who runs a landscaping company retrofitted his company truck with a plow. In one day, Bill created an entirely new line of business for himself. I thought it was ingenious that he watched what was happening around him and made himself adaptable to the situation. I think of Bill as a leader and a project manager.
Shifting markets beg us to shift our attention. This week's blog focuses on new opportunity – a sign of hope and employment during times of change. The Federal Acquisition Certification in Program and Project Management, commonly called FAC-P/PM by most, is a hot topic these days. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) Letter 05-01, Developing and Managing the Acquisition Workforce, established a requirement for federal acquisition certification programs. The Federal Acquisition Certification for Program and Project Managers (FAC-P/PM) is issued pursuant to 41 U.S.C. 401, and OFPP Policy Letter 05-01, paragraph 8(c).
What this means for us PMs: We are one of the hottest acquisitions on the market. Experienced project managers offer companies the valuable talent needed to move projects. New jobs for project management subject matter experts open up frequently. Companies winning government contracts need people. And guess what – if the company has won a major PM contract in this market, it's probably a pretty great company to work for, probably some of the best in the business.
FAC-P/PM is much like the programs for Contracting Officers and Contracting Officer Technical Representatives. These programs allow government personnel to receive certification at the beginner, mid, or senior level in program and project management. We could think of the levels as Project Manager, Program Manager, or Portfolio Manager. Certification programs generally standardize program and project management skill-sets. It's the skills and assets that we as current project managers bring to the table that will help future generations of project managers earn certification and make a difference on their projects.
It is imperative that to remain competitive project managers look for opportunities to serve, ways to fit into the shifting market. We should be adaptable. Domain subject matter experts will be of key value in shifting markets. Project managers with skills in acquisition, earned value estimating, and leadership provide organizations the talent and tools they need to be the top innovators for the future.
