The task of professionalising project

management at both an individual and

organisational levelAnthony Miller and Roger Birch

ANU PMCoP Forum – 20 September 2012

Professionalising Project Management

• Traditionally, many PMs were ‘accidental’

• Training courses alone not enough – assuming any training was given!

• Requirements for higher success rates in projects

• What defines ‘success’?

Professionalising Project Management (Contd)

• Senior management starting to recognise importance

• In Canberra, P3M3 a big issue• Increasing desire for PM

‘professionals’ – in UK, looking at chartering

So, who is AIPM – and what are we doing?

AIPM is the largest project management community in Australasia incorporating:•Individual Members•Corporate Members•Industry Groups•Communities of Practice

AIPM’s Vision

To be the preferred Institute to deliver services

to its professional members and partners, and to

be regarded as a world authoritative reference

on PM practices and competency.

AIPM Facts• Not-for-profit organisation incorporated in 1978 (formed

in 1976 as the Project Managers’ Forum)

• Representing and promoting the profession of project management in Australia for over 30 years

• ~10,000 members

• ~170 corporate members

• Chapters in all States and Territories

• National Support Office based in Sydney

• IPMA member since September 2009

• Moving towards establishment of IMPA Certification in Australia

• Negotiating that AIPM certified PMs will only have to undertake a gap activity to be internationally recognised by IPMA

Project Management TrendsJune/July 2011 issue of Project Manager Magazine predicted:1. Greater demands on Leadership skills2. Increased competition for “good PMs” 3. Competency models as core foundation to

achieving project success and benefits realisation4. Increased use of Experiential learning techniques5. Increased approaches to learning through social

media6. Growth in outsourcing – will strengthen risk and

contract management, e.g. the NBN7. Increased use of change management experts

What’s the difference between ...

KnowledgeThings that you know, have learnt; in PM knowledge about scope, budgets, schedules, etc.

CompetencyA certain level of knowledge AND demonstrated application of that knowledge in the workplace

What’s the difference between ...

CertificationUsed by professional institutes to recognise individuals who have attained a professional Standard

QualificationA formal level of educational attainment, as determined by a University, TAFE, Registered Training Organisation etc.

One more plug…AIPM

The largest PM community in the Asia Pacific region, the certification is truly competency based through demonstrated workplace evidence, internationally recognised through IPMA membership

Membership

Two new Standards at Senior PMand Portfolio Manager levels arebeing introduced

Membership Benefits• RegPM Certification Program

• Information Resource Centre

• Magazine: Project Manager

• Annual Conference (2012 Melbourne, 2013 Perth)

• Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

• Project Management Achievement Awards (PMAA)

Membership Benefits (Contd)

• Salary surveys, employment trends and job vacancy announcements

• Continuous Professional Development (CPD)

• Seminars, Trade Fairs, Events , Networking opportunities

• Web based discussion forums

• Information exchange / sharing of best practice

AIPM’s Certification Process

Become a member of AIPMApply for CertificationChoose and contact an AssessorCollate evidence & CVConduct AssessmentResolve deficienciesAssessor sends assessment report to AIPMAIPM verifies assessmentAIPM issues Certificate

Evidence examples• Business Case• Project Plan• Schedule• Risk Plan• Communications

Plan• Quality Plan• Resource Plan /

Budgets• References• Assessor

observations

• Issues Log• Status Reports / Minutes• End of Project Report• RFT/EOI/Quote etc.• Change Request/Log• Audit Report• Deliverable Acceptance

Sheet• Supplier selection advice• emails

Certification Program - RegPMIt is currently awarded at one of three levels : Certified Practicing Project Practitioner (CPPP)

Supports, assists or contributes to a project

Certified Practicing Project Manager (CPPM) Plans and manages a project

Certified Practicing Project Director (CPPD)Director/Program Manager directs ...…Focussed on integration of multiple projects

NEW: Certified Practising Senior PM

(CPSPM)

NEW: Certified Practising Project Executive (CPPE)

Benefits of RegPM certification• It is competency based and shows what a candidate

can do, rather than knows at the time of an exam

• Personal, face to face, at least in the beginning

• Produces an individual professional development plan

• Provides a career path

Certification needs to be kept current

• Certification is valid for three years

• Certified PMs need to collect Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points

But, what about the organisation?

• BUT… what happens when competent PMs go to organisations that don’t recognise their importance?

• Answer?• Certify organisations to ensure their

maturity in PM usage• This leads us to the topic of Project

Managed Organisations, or PMOs

PMO Introduction• Project Managed Organisation

(PMO) accreditation• Why become a PMO?• Recognition criteria• Next steps

Project Managed Organisation• Project Managed Organisation (PMO) accreditation is

an assessment-based accreditation program to recognise organisations which have embarked on a process to continually improve their project management capabilities on an organisation-wide basis

• A PMO is required to fulfil the recognition criteria, and has a process in place for continued improvement

• Accredited organisations are entitled to use the AIPM logo, and the endorsement of being an AIPM "Project Managed Organisation".

Why become a PMO?• As a benchmark, the endorsement of the AIPM gives surety

to internal and external stakeholders that [the organisation] has in place appropriate structures, methodologies and training etc for achieving successful projects, consistently management capabilities on an organisation-wide basis

• Recognition in [the organisation] that the PMO has achieved recognition from the peak body for project management

• Accreditation greatly assists in communicating to other departments and stakeholders what [the organisation] is doing, and its value to the organisation generally

• Continuous improvement in PMO fosters the message to [the organisation] stakeholders that project management is a specific skill requiring trained and competent personnel

Recognition Criteria• Organisational Leadership and Innovation• Organisational Strategic Planning Link• Organisational Business Results Focus• Organisational Customer and Market Focus • Organisational Support Processes• Data, Information and Knowledge

Availability• Human Resource Management Alignment• Consistency of Application of PM Functions

Next Steps• Certification fee to AIPM at time of

application• Engage an accredited assessor• Undertake assessment workshop(s):

• assess the current role and application of project management functions against set criteria

• review each of the criteria as it applies to current and planned processes

• identify areas for improvement i.e. those areas where the organisation has not been able to meet the criteria

• agree an action plan for continuous improvement

Next Steps (Contd)

• Assessor will send a report to the AIPM with their recommendation

• PMO accreditation award will be made at AIPM Chapter event/seminar, or at a Chapter Project Management Awards ceremony

• Accreditation is valid for two years. • At the conclusion of the initial 2-year period, the

AIPM will conduct an audit to ensure the organisation has implemented agreed plans for improvement

AIPM in the ACTIn the ACT, our service offer is ambitious , but we believe it’s necessary for the benefit of our members, industry, government and the profession as a whole.

Our annual business plan involves:1. Working with Government and Industry re strategic

direction.2. For members, we offer:

• Monthly forums• ~15-20 SIGs• Monthly newsletter• YEPP • CNP linking AIPM to the NFP sector

Contact AIPMRoger BirchACT Chapter Coordinator6282 1258act_chapter@aipm.com.auwww.aipm.com.au