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Guest Lecture Recap

Guest Lecture Recap: The Importance of Project Management Skills for Youth

On November 22, 2024, the Institute of Social Work (ISW) hosted a transformative guest lecture on The Importance of Project Management Skills for Youth. The event featured two distinguished speakers from the Project Management Institute (PMI): Kheri Mbiro, PMI Tanzania Chapter President, and George Asamani, Managing Director of PMI Sub-Saharan Africa. Held at ISW Library 3B, the session ran from 9 am to 11 am and offered invaluable insights into the power of project management as a tool for personal, professional, and national development.

Here are the key takeaways:

1. Context: Challenges and Opportunities for Tanzanian Youth

Kheri Mbiro highlighted the stark reality of youth unemployment, which stood at 10.2% in 2023. While employers struggle to find candidates equipped with both soft and technical skills, many young Tanzanians believe opportunities are scarce. He shared a poignant example of a top-performing graduate from Mzumbe University who, despite his technical expertise, lacked basic email etiquette—a crucial skill for today’s job market.

Kheri urged students to seek mentorship to guide their career decisions. He emphasized that project management isn’t confined to professional settings; it’s embedded in daily life—from academic goals to personal growth. By understanding core principles such as scope, quality, and stakeholder engagement, youth can better navigate challenges and achieve their aspirations.

2. Defining Project Management

Kheri described project management as “the art of breaking down complex goals into actionable steps.” This practical approach ensures tasks are completed efficiently while maintaining quality and stakeholder satisfaction.

3. Insights from George Asamani: The Pillars of Project Management

George Asamani built on Kheri’s foundation by exploring project management in depth.

Key Areas to Focus On:

  • Objective: Clearly define what you aim to achieve.
  • Deliverables: Identify measurable results to track success.
  • Stakeholders: Engage with those involved or impacted by the project.
  • Constraints: Address challenges such as funding limitations, resistance, or risks.

Essential Skills for Project Managers:

George outlined three critical skill categories for project leaders:

  1. Technical Capabilities:

    • Scope Management: Defining project boundaries.
    • Resource Management: Sourcing funding and other resources.
    • Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating potential obstacles.

  2. Soft Skills:

    • Empathy and Communication: Understanding and influencing people.
    • Conflict Resolution: Addressing and managing stakeholder issues effectively.

  3. Business Acumen:

    • Understanding the societal impact of your project.
    • Balancing practical execution with long-term sustainability.

4. PMI’s Role in Empowering Project Managers

PMI is a global organization present in 24 countries, dedicated to enhancing project management capabilities. Their mission is to translate ideas into reality by providing tools, training, and certifications like the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).

About CAPM Certification:

  • Entry-level certification for aspiring project managers.
  • Requires 23 hours of study and periodic renewal every three years.
  • Enables individuals to dive deeper into project management, making them more competitive in various industries.

Kheri emphasized the importance of continuous learning, such as attending events and earning Professional Development Units (PDUs) to maintain certifications.

5. Tools and Trends in Project Management

George highlighted tools designed to streamline project execution:

  • Common Tools: For scheduling, resource management, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Specific Tools: For projects using Agile and other methodologies.
  • PMI Infinity: An AI-driven co-pilot revolutionizing project management worldwide.

6. Closing Thoughts

Both speakers reiterated the essence of project management: execution. Effective project managers focus on turning ideas into tangible results by analyzing risks, learning from failures, and continuously improving their strategies.

Kheri and George concluded with PMI’s powerful motto:
“Maximize project success to elevate our wealth.”

Why This Matters for Tanzanian Youth

This lecture underscored the importance of equipping youth with practical project management skills. Whether through CAPM certification or PMI’s training programs, Tanzanian youth can enhance their employability, lead impactful initiatives, and drive national progress.

As future leaders, it’s time for young people to embrace project management not just as a career path but as a way of life—because every action, big or small, is a step toward creating a better tomorrow.

By Joseph Mshana, Jemicit Blog Author

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