Project Management Institute
PMI Project Management Research Program
Request for Research Proposal
Background
In the last decade, we have seen a major shift in the types of Project Managers that organizations now employ. Previously it was common to find that most Project Managers were from a given functional area and co-opted as a team member or leader of a team. Increasing, we have seen the emergence of professional Project Managers (as members of a professional discipline), that is, those who have no other role in an organization other than Project Management. Traditionally these are not team members as much as team leads, guiding the subject matter experts (SMEs) or the team through the process of project completion. Along with this recognition of full time Project Management as a career, various credentials such as PMI’s CAPM®, PMP®, and PgMPSM have been created to validate varying levels of expertise of these full time Project Managers (and in many cases they are qualifications gained by those SMEs who are aspiring to be Project Managers). Additionally, some companies, having determined that they are a ‘project-focused organization’, have established career paths for Project Managers. PMI, as the leading international representative of the discipline, has responded by developing helpful tools, such as the Career Framework database to serve the needs of individual Project Managers in tracking their careers and also for companies to use in their career development programs. However, how do Project Managers choose their careers? PM practice/education can come in any order learning the theory or undertaking the practice first, or visa versa (or both together in a structured learning program). Chance and luck, as well as planned direction and opportunity, play a big part in the success of the individual's career.
For education and practice programs to be effective in helping ‘mature’ as well as ‘new’ Project Managers in the future, it is important to determine if past and current PM careers were planned, where individuals take a formal degree program in Project Management at one of over 250 institutions globally offering such degrees; or possibly became part of a structured learning program in an organization; or was/is it by chance that they end up being used more and more on project teams and eventually find themselves as full time Project Managers; or did/do they obtain their Project Management knowledge and skills through experience, or possibly a combination or all of the above? Identification of the nature of industry subject matter expertise would also be valuable. Does the Project Manager have conceptual knowledge of the industry or do they possess in-depth industry subject matter expertise?
The proposed research will explore the reasons why individuals choose Project Management as a career. It will also ascertain the means by which they establish themselves as Project Managers and explore the satisfaction they have gained from the career choice; and what is the determining criterion for promoting Project Managers. A broad study encompassing various industries and various geographic regions would be most advantageous.
Research Proposals Requested
The PMI Research Program is seeking proposals for research that deal with Project Management as a career choice and seek to explore such or related questions empirically or by suggesting conceptual or theoretical frameworks. They should be titled, “Response to RFP: Project Management as a Career Choice.” The investigation team should incorporate the following deliverables for the completed project as well as others deemed appropriate by the project evaluation team:
1. Documented and annotated literature search and other sources of background information.
2. Discussion of the specific research methodology used for hypotheses testing.
3. Discussion of the acceptability of these methods and measures.
4. A one-year project may be considered exploratory in nature and would require, status reports, as requested, to the Research Member Advisory Group liaison assigned to the project and a final report suitable for publication in a well reputed peer reviewed journal.
5. A project longer than one year is considered a full project and may be eligible for multi-year funding. As above and dependent on the anticipated duration, the project will require reports as requested. Additionally, there will be required one or more interim papers for presentation at a peer reviewed conference or symposium as well as a final report suitable for publication in a well reputed peer reviewed journal.
6. Investigators may be asked to: present preliminary or final findings at a PMI Research Program Working Session; or, participate in a telephone conference with the Research Member Advisory Group should they deem it necessary to clarify the status and direction of the research.
7. A final report ready for publication as a book, monograph or product appropriate to the subject matter, as described previously in this section, with copyright assignment to the PMI.
8. The contribution this research will make to the project management community.
Proposal Resources and Schedule
PMI Research Program financial resources for this investigation are limited to $30,000 U.S. in total, regardless of the agreed to project duration. Therefore, the Program seeks proposals from researchers who will have access to other financial resources needed to plan, conduct, and complete this investigation. Researchers must also be able to independently obtain data and/or participants for the research investigation without reliance on PMI.
The initial research proposal must be received by 30 June 2008. Following evaluation, selection and notification by 4 August 2008, expanded proposals will be required by 15 September 2008. The research grant decisions will be made by 24 October 2008. The completed signed contract must be received by 22 December 2008. Initial payments will be forwarded per agreed contract dates in 2009.
The deadline for all dates is 5:00PM (1700) US Eastern Time (-5 GMT).
Proposal Submission and Evaluation Process
The PMI Research Program-Supported Research Project Requests may be viewed at http://www.pmi.org/Resources/Pages/Current-Research.aspx.
An initial proposal of approximately three pages, in 12-point type, must include:
- - The project title
- - The name(s) of the researcher(s)
- - Relevant credentials
- - Affiliated institution(s)
- - Underlying hypothesis
- - Preliminary strategy to accomplish the goal
- - Conceptual plan of action
- - Expected outcome or deliverable(s)
- - Anticipated completion date
- - Proposed cost of the research
- - Other sources of funds for this project
- - Potential source(s) of data and/or participants
- - Other information deemed relevant by the submitter
The proposal should be accompanied by curriculum vitae for the primary investigators. This is not to be counted as part of the three pages of the preliminary proposal.
Following the initial process of receipt, evaluation and selection, expanded proposals of no more than 10 pages will be solicited from those chosen to be finalists. The proposal should contain a more detailed explanation of the information included in the initial proposal along with the investigative approach, potential barriers to success and possible approaches to overcoming the barriers.
Acceptance of a research proposal will require the signing of a mutually amenable work-for-hire research-grant agreement covering specific deliverables, status reports, payment schedule, intellectual property rights, and other relevant terms. Copyright assignment of the final report to PMI will be part of the research-grant agreement. However, the researcher will be able to use the data and content from their work for other professional endeavors. Any publication of the work by the authors must be approved in writing by PMI. Evaluation of the submitted proposals and selection of proposal(s) for funding will be completed by the PMI Research Program Team. Their decision(s) will be final.
Proposal Submissions
E-mail submission of the proposals is preferred, but postal mail will be acceptable for this preliminary, first round process as well as for the final, second round proposal for those selected. Please put “Project Management as a Career Choice” in the subject line of the emails.
Project Management Institute
Research Department
14 Campus Boulevard
Newtown Square, PA 19073-3299 USA
Telephone: +1-610-356-4600 x 5067
Fax: +1-610-356-1656
E-mail: jeanmarie.martin@pmi.org
For complete details on the RFP process, please visit: http://www.pmi.org/Resources/Pages/Research-Request-for-Proposal-Process.aspx.
Please direct any questions about the desired investigation(s) or the personal submission and evaluation process to Jean Marie Martin, PMI Research Coordinator, at +1-610-356-4600, extension 5067 or jeanmarie.martin@pmi.org.