The document discusses the different modes of employment for project managers: independent contractors, consultants working for consulting companies, and corporate project managers working as employees. It outlines the advantages and challenges of each, such as contractors having more income and flexibility but also needing to constantly find new work, while consultants have assumed credibility but must generate their own business. The document then shares the author's experience shifting between these different modes of employment.

1. A Year in the Trenches :
My Journey Back from Consultant to Employee
Kristie Jones

2. Agenda
• definition of the modes of employment for
project managers
• outline of the advantages and challenges
of each
• share with you my experience in shifting
between the modes
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 2

3. Modes of Employment
(1) Independent project managers -
contractors
(2) Consultancy based project managers -
consultants
(3) Corporate project managers -
employees
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 3

4. Contractors
Those of us employed as independents
More income
More control
More flexible working life
Part of the team
Build a reputation based on quality of
delivery and / or expertise BUT
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 4

5. (cont)
Ongoing behind the scenes work to
maintain a network for potential future
work
Training, leave etc
Personal risk
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 5

6. Consultants
Those who work for consulting companies,
and manage projects for other
companies (clients)
Fill an ability or knowledge gap
Assumed credibility
Challenging –
– access at the highest levels, and the most
complex work
BUT
– lots of change
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 6

7. (cont)
Not there end-to-end
– scope, budget, timeline and team in place
– exit at project implementation
Must be able to generate business
Self-imposed stress
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 7

8. Employee
Corporate project manager
Managing projects on behalf of your
organisation
– internal
– client account
Centralised PMO and support functions in
place
Remuneration tied to performance BUT
Relative certainty
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 8

9. (cont)
Corporate controls can bind
Shifting priorities
Overload
Dramatic increase in politics
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 9

10. Recap
• defined of the modes of employment for
project managers
• outlined the advantages and challenges
of each
• shared with you my experience in shifting
between the modes
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 10

11. Discussion
THANK YOU
Kristie Jones
August 11, 2009 11