At the Board of Directors meeting this spring, a Professionalism Policy was adopted which has a major affect on the direction of PMI. The June issue of the PM NETwork, carried the full text and its six strategic objectives. Now, let’s look at its impact on the membership and see how you can help with the implementation.
PMI PROFESSIONALISM POLICY & OBJECTIVES
The Professional Policy states as a PMI goal: “to establish Project Management as a widely known & highly regarded profession, on a world-wide basis by the year 2000.” Six strategic objectives are a part of this policy: The Profession; Professional Standards; Certification; The Professional; The Professional Organization; and Education & Research.
The significance of this policy is that PMI is changing from a Technical Society, known for its educational work, to a Professional Organization which retains the educational approach but also becomes an advocate for the Project Management profession. This change did not occur just this year. It really began with the start of certification examinations in 1984!
BENEFITS TO THE MEMBERSHIP
If you are a Project Manager, Planner, Cost Engineer, Administrator, or have any of the many other positions where project management is applied, the recognition by your company of your efforts within the context of a profession known as Project Management, will have a long term financial and personal payoff. I’ve summarized each of the strategic objectives so you can see how the policy applies.
- The Profession Objective: “To establish and maintain broad public awareness of the meaning and scope of the “Project Management Profession…” A Common complaint of those “in the business” has always been: “my company doesn’t understand Project Management!” PMI is committed to taking action to solve this problem.
- Professional Standards Objective: “To establish and maintain a precise set of standards and requirements that define entry level qualifications for a competent project management professional.”
- Certification Objective: “To coordinate and administer the certification process…” Professionalism begins with the establishment of minimum standards for performance as a Project Management Professional and testing to see that individuals meet these standards.
- The Professional Objective: To establish and maintain a broad-based public awareness of the meaning of the “Project Management Professional” credential….” This means taking positive steps to publicize the PMP credential.
- Professional Organization Objective: “To establish and maintain a professional organization within the overall framework of PMI to achieve recognition and support of the project management profession and the PMP credential…” An organization, PMI is required to sustain the professionalism process, administer the certification testing, and to assure the continued visibility of Project Management and the PMP designation.
- Education and Research Objective: “To provide the leadership and support necessary…to promote academic and industrial research in all aspects of the project management profession.” PMI has always been a leader in education. This restates our previous commitments to keep the membership up to date as the field of Project Management evolves. The Professionalism Policy combines the elements of Standards, Certification, Publicity and Education & Research, under the PMI banner. I urge each of you to read the full text of the policy and the objectives if you have not already done so.
MEMBERSHIP HELP IN IMPLEMENTING THIS POLICY
To carry out this program, we need your help. The following are several areas that have been identified to date.
- Increased Number of Chapters Our greatest strength in carrying the project management message to the public has been our chapters. The efforts at the Chapter level provide a needed visibility. Although our chapter formation efforts have been successful, we still have less than 50% of the top 100 population markets within the U.S. served by local Chapters. If you are a member and do not have a chapter within 45 minutes driving time, contact your Regional Vice President and find out how a Chapter can be formed. In addition, I have asked the larger Chapters to look at ways to spin-off part of their group to form new Chapters in nearby areas.
- Apply for Certification The PMP program has been well received, but still needs your participation if you have not been certified. It requires work on your part to prepare for the exam but the receipt of the PMP designation will be worth your effort.
- Participate in PMI Programs PMI is a volunteer organization so PMI depends on your support to get-the-work-done. There is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment when you have a paper published in the PM] or at a Seminar/Symposium. You can also be a part of the local Chapter scene and improve your professional networking or you can work at the national level. PMI has more projects than there are willing people to carry-out the work. Call me or Drexel Hill if you would like to participate but don’t have a local contact.
THE ROAD AHEAD
The opportunities ahead are unlimited, but the challenges along the way must first be met and the solutions to current problems resolved. You will continue to hear about Professionalism in the future since it has been given our top priority for action. We all have a lot to do - the year 2000 will be here very quickly!