6 Free Project Management Forums

Help is on the way!

Imagine the scene:  It’s late.  You’ve been struggling all day to figure out the best way to handle an issue on your project.

• It could be that your organization has standardized on Microsoft Project 2007, and you need to update all your resource allocations.
• Perhaps you are looking for the best way to make sense of the incomplete requirements you just inherited from a business analyst who was laid off.
• Maybe you have been tasked with implementing Earned Value Management (EVM) on all your projects by the end of the year.

These are all situations which could happen to you in the course of your work as a project manager.  Assuming your colleagues at work are tied up, where are you going to go for help?  Your favorite free project management forum.

Why Project Management Forums

PM forums are generally frequented by experienced project managers, novices, and everyone in between.  Excellent advice can be had for the asking.  Of course it’s better if you’ve been in the habit of giving help to others along the way – though this is by no means necessary. You can learn even more by following one or two forums on a regular basis.

Here are some of the best to get you started.  Most require you to sign up for free membership.  Don’t let this requirement stop you.

Each is included in this list by unsolicited recommendation.

1. allPM.com

Note:  Links to forums below require you to sign up for free membership. allPM.com refers to itself as The Project Manager’s Homepage™.  Active forum areas include:

• Project Management – Career and Job Talk
• PM Help!
• Project Management Software and Tools
• Microsoft Project – Discussion and Assistance
• PM Certification
• Project Management Methodologies
• Best Practices
• Project Management Office
• Students of Project Management

allPM.com also offers a PMs for hire section in which you can post your resume by country, continent or region.   Very nice site.

2. gantthead.com

gantthead.com is a fantastic resource for project managers.  Even if you already have a linkedin profile, you can benefit from creating a gantthead one.  Gantthead profiles are listed on google search, so it may help your online branding when it comes time for your next career move.

An hour or two spent looking around gantthead is an excellent use of your time.  Here are the gantthead discussion areas:

• Project Management Central
• Process Improvement

3. Project Management Knowledge Base

PMKB bills itself as a community of project planners and managers sharing experiences and knowledge.  A somewhat less active forum, though still a good source of information.

• Project Management Forum

4. Professional Project Managers Networking Group

PPMNG, the social network for project managers,  seems to be focused largely on helping project managers find positions.  This forum can help you be aware of what project management skills are in the most demand, and identify gaps in your own knowledge areas.

• PPMNG Discussion Forum

5. Tek-Tips Project Management Forum

Tek-Tips has IT forums in various areas.  The Project Management forum is low volume and good quality

• Project Management General Discussion Forum

6. The ICPM

The ICPM is a project management site with a good reputation and great potential.

• ICPM Project Manager’s Forum

Your Next Step

I challenge you right now to visit and join one of these forums.  See if you can check in at least weekly.  When the time comes for you to get assistance, you’ll know exactly who to ask.

(Photo credit: greg.turner)

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