Developing Project Management Expertise

In 1993, Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) contracted with the University of Minnesota Executive Development Center to develop a training program that would enhance the skill sets of Mn/DOT employees whose responsibilities include managing projects. Ten years later, researchers developed a process to determine whether the Mn/DOT Project Management Academy experience is producing the desired results. Their investigation, based on extensive literature search and interviews with former participants, uncovered several weaknesses of the program: (1) The academy lacked a central message that reflected the overall mission and focus of the Minnesota Department of Transportation; (2) The instructional format was not structured in a way that enabled participants to apply the skills to daily work experiences; and (3) The content and manner of presentation did not take into account the varied backgrounds and levels of experience of the participants. As a result, the authors conclude with a comprehensive list of suggestions for making improvements in each of the areas listed.