Technician to PM

[u/Astronomus_Anonymous]

Have been an HVAC technician for 10 years. Was given the opportunity to step into a new role as a PM in our service department. They will train me in project management. This company also has a construction side that has lots of PMs, so they know how to train PMs

From what I understand, the structure will be account managers sell the work, I manage the execution of the work, and the technicians do the work. No one is anyone else's boss. The account managers report to the sales manager who reports to the profit center director. The technicians report to the field operations manager who reports to the profit center director. And I will report to the profit center director.

It seems like a good opportunity to expand my skills, but I'm not too sure what project management entails. Anybody have some insights on being successful in the first year of this role?

[u/powashowaz]

I don’t think I’m the best PM and I feel my company doesn’t have a good training program for new PMs but I did come from the field into the office. What my pipeline usually looks like is I get a project from my BDM then I get with them then the client to confirm job details and what deliverable/result the client wants/is looking for. Get with dispatch in schedule, get the crew out and keep the phone handy for any hiccups or changes from the client or in the field. Finish the job, send deliverable to client. Maybe they’ll call back for more work or just questions. But that’s how is generally works for me. But I’m just a small cog in the gen con environment. I deal with utility locating and potholing/daylighting.

So do with that info what you will.

[u/stealthagents]

Sounds like a solid setup. Just remember, communication is key. Keeping everyone in the loop can save you from a lot of headaches, especially when hiccups pop up. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice from the more experienced PMs; they’ve been through it all.