Tampa, Florida, August 2, 2017—BICSI, the association advancing the information and communications technology (ICT) community, releases its newly revised Registered Telecommunications Project Management (RTPM) Program.

The role of an effective project manager is crucial to the outcome of any successful project. They must plan, execute and finalize projects all within strict deadlines and within budget. And as technology continues to grow, the demand also increases for proficient telecommunications project managers. A BICSI RTPM oversees and coordinates the interaction between designers, engineers, installers and technicians when new ICT industry projects are being developed or undergoing construction.
To become a successful telecommunications project manager, individuals need a thorough understanding of ICT, personnel management and project management. As such, BICSI’s RTPM Program addresses that need through courses, a manual and a certification.

The program consists of three courses:

• PM101: Introduction to Project Management
  This online course is ideal for ICT professionals who are thinking about transitioning into a project management role. PM101 begins with a basic overview of the project management process from project selection to closeout, including information about risk management, quality control, and procurement planning. It also offers up-to-date principles and strategies that can be used to make project teams successful.
• PM102: Applied Telecommunications Project Management
  This course is designed to provide ICT professionals an opportunity to build on their existing project management skills while also exploring the steps and thought processes behind the basic principles and information necessary for managing a successful telecommunications project. This five- day instructor-led course provides a hands-on approach to managing real-world ICT design and installation projects and covers key steps required during the project initiation, implementation, execution and closing phases.
• PM103: Advanced Tools for ICT Project Management
  This online course is designed to teach key project management concepts such as the role of the project manager. PM103 then delves into techniques and strategies for managing a project’s scope, schedule, and budget. With this information in place, the course will then explore how Microsoft Project 2013 can be used to set up, manage, track, and analyze your projects. 

PM102 is an instructor-led course that is currently available around the United States, including Oregon, Maryland, Nevada, Texas, and at BICSI's World Headquarters in Florida. New locations are constantly being scheduled. Both PM101 and PM103 are available online via BICSI CONNECT, BICSI’s interactive learning network.

“The [PM102] course is very informative. There’s a lot of information to cover, and I’ve learned quite a bit in a short amount of time,” said Chris Young of Logical Cabling in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Young was able to attend the pilot PM102 course. “I’ve learned a lot about scheduling and how to work out a critical path of a project. With that, being able to maintain an accurate budget and being able to learn the tools to actually stick to that budget is important.”

All BICSI project management courses, as well as the RTPM certification exam, are based on BICSI’s Telecommunications Project Management Manual (TPMM), 1st edition. The TPMM zeros in on the key information needed to execute successful telecommunications projects. Written by some of the very best telecommunications project managers in the ICT industry, the manual provides a unique reference for project management information that is applicable to a telecommunications project. 

“Continually reviewing and updating BICSI’s curriculum is vital to ensure industry professionals remain at the forefront of the rapidly evolving ICT community,” said BICSI President Brian Ensign, RCDD, NTS, RTPM, CSI. “Telecommunications project managers are a necessary facet of every ICT project to ensure the job is completed on time and within budget. BICSI’s project management courses provide the
necessary tools for individuals to succeed and excel in their professions.”

Complete information about BICSI's Registered Telecommunications Project Management Program can be found at bicsi.org/rtpm.