Project Management Careers

Dr. James Jiang

University of Central Florida

Overview

1)  Overview  2)  History and Establishment of PMI 3)  PMI Certification 4)  Alternative Certifications (Processes/Exams) 5)  Project Managers Career Path Progression 6)  Expected Salaries7)  Personality Traits Set for Project Managers 8) Conclusion 9) Question and Comments

Project Management Institute- Incorporated in 1969 outside Philadelphia- Founded by 5 volunteers

- J. Gordon Davis, PhD, PMI Fellow- E.A. "Ned" Engman - Susan Gallagher- Eric Jenett- James R Snyder

- During that same year the first PMI Seminars & Symposium was held in Atlanta, Georgia USA and had an attendance of 83.

Project Management Institute

Three Levels of Membership:- Chapters

- Geographically based and number over 200 worldwide. - North America, South America, Asia Pacific and Latin

America. - Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

- Give members access to project management practitioners from similar industries and who share professional interests.

- Colleges- Help further develop and refine a formal body of

knowledge related to project management.

Membership Costs- Individual: Annual membership $119 - Student: Annual membership $30

Project Management Institute

Membership Benefits- Issues of PMI publications such as PM Network® magazine - Enjoy discounts to events and continuing education classes - Gain access to member-exclusive case studies and best

practices geared directly to your interests.

-PMI is one of world’s leading associations for the project management profession. - Earning a professional credential through PMI means that one has:

- Demonstrated the appropriate education and/or professional experience; - Passed a rigorous examination; - Agreed to abide by a professional code of conduct; - Committed to maintaining their active credential through meeting continuing certification

requirements.-Offered Credentials:

Project Management Professional (PMP)A PMP credential grants an applicant with a globally recognized designation that serves as the foundation from which they can competently practice as a project manager leading and directing project tasks. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)By gaining knowledge of project management processes and terminology, professionals from all disciplines can reach higher levels of performance in their work. Designed for: project team members; entry-level project managers; and project management undergraduate and graduate students.Program Management Professional (PgMP)PMI’s new PgMP credential is specifically developed to enhance the qualifications of the professional who leads the coordinated management of multiple projects and ensures the ultimate success of a program.

PMI History and Certifications

How to attain? (I)Project Management Professional (PMP)

-Education -High school diploma or equivalent. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree (or equivalent) are only required to have 4,500 hours leading and directing specific tasks and 36 months of project management experience.

-Experience-7,500 hours in a position of responsibility leading and directing specific

tasks and 60 months of project management experience - Project Management Education

-35 Hours

-Examination-Pass a “multiple-choice” examination -Six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing

the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility.

How to attain? (II)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)-Education -High school diploma or equivalent.

-Experience -1,500 hours of work on a project team

OR-Project Management Education

-23 hours of formal education - Examination

- Pass a comprehensive 150 question computer-based examination.

How to attain? (III)

Program Management ProfessionalCompetence Review• Candidates’ competence will be evaluated through a sequence of assessments:

– Review of education by PMI staff and review of professional work experience by a panel of program managers.

– Multiple-choice exam– The last competence assessment occurs through a multi-rater assessment in which a

team of raters that the candidate selects will evaluate the candidate’s competence.

Eligibility CriteriaWith Baccalaureate Degree or the Global Equivalent

Over the last 15 consecutive years, candidate must have at least:- Four years of project management experience.- Four years of program management experience.

Alternatives to PMI: IPMA• International Project Management Association

– “The IPMA (International Project Management Association) is a non-profit Swiss registered organization whose membership is comprised primarily of national project management associations throughout the world. “

• Certifications– IPMA Level A  -  Certified Projects Director 

– IPMA Level B - Certified Senior Project Manager 

– IPMA Level C -  Certified Project Manager 

– IPMA Level D -  Certified Project Management Associate 

– Start at D and Work Your Way Upward 

Career Path Progression

• Project Management Specialist• Project Manager I• Project Manager II• Program Manager

Project Management Specialist

(1) Responsible for a specific area of project management (i.e., scheduling, cost management, risk management, etc.).

(2) Supports the Project Manager and their associated projects.

Project Manager I

(1) Under direct supervision of a more senior project manager, or a Program Manager, oversees a small project (or phase of a larger project).

(2) Responsibility for all aspects of the project over the entire project life (initiate, plan, execute, control, close).

(3) Must be familiar with system scope and project objectives, as well as the role and function of each team member, to effectively coordinate the activities of the team.

Project Manager II

(1) Under general supervision of a Program Manager, oversees multiple projects (or one larger project).

(2) Responsible for assembling project team, identifying appropriate resources needed, and developing schedule to ensure timely completion of project.

(3) Communicate with a Senior Project Manager, Functional area manager, or Program Manager regarding status of specific projects.

Program Manager

(1) Coordinated management of multiple related projects which are directed toward a common objective.

(2) Working with constituent Project Managers (who are responsible to the program manager for the execution of their project and its impact on the program) to monitor cost, schedule, and technical performance of component projects and operations, while working to ensure the ultimate success of the program.

(3) Determining and coordinating the sharing of resources among their constituent projects to the overall benefit of the program.

(4) Stakeholder management, particularly stakeholders external to the organization.

PMI Salary Survey

Project Management Specialist

Compensation N Average Median P25 P75 P10 P90

Salary 71 77,967 75,000 60,000 92,000 47,505 106,400

Total Compensation 71 83,504 77,450 61,100 100,519 49,200 124,000

Project Manager 1

Compensation N Average Median P25 P75 P10 P90

Salary 174 77,339 75,000 66,375 89,250 54,750 100,000

Total Compensation 174 82,034 80,000 69,900 94,250 55,000 108,300

Project Manager 2

Compensation N Average Median P25 P75 P10 P90

Salary 271 81,940 81,766 69,500 94,000 57,000 106,048

Total Compensation 271 87,407 85,583 72,000 100,000 59,150 119,532

Program Manager

Compensation N Average Median P25 P75 P10 P90

Salary 459 92,273 90,000 75,563 105,000 64,600 120,000

Total Compensation 410 110,006 103,501 90,000 126,125 77,586 150,000

PMI Salary Survey ChartSalary Distribution by Position

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

P10 P25 Average P75 P90

Percentile

Sa

lary

Project Management Specialist

Project Manager 1

Project Manager 2

Program Manager

Project Manager Skills

• Effective Skills– Lead by example– Are visionaries– Are technically competent– Are decisive– Are good communicators

Skills

Leadership - inspiring others to create a vision and strive to achieve the goals

Good communication - ability to provide valuable information related to the project status in a timely and effective manner

Conflict resolution skills - assisting in resolution of any project conflicts so that the project team members all feel part of the process and want to remain involved in the project

Skills

Negotiation skills - maintaining relationships with people who are involved in the project

Team building - assists the team members in understanding their roles and responsibilities on the project and work collaboratively

Listening skills - using good listening skills to truly hear and try to understand what others on the project are trying to say

Relationship management - capable of working with all levels within the organization by building relationships with them.

Project Manager Skills

• Effective Skills– Good motivators– Stand up to top management when necessary– Support team members– Encourage new ideas – Interpersonal/Team Building– Microsoft Office

Project Manager Skills

• Ineffective Skills– Set Bad Examples– Are Not Self-Assured– Lack Technical Expertise– Are Poor Communicators– Are Poor Motivators

Sources

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Management_Institute - History of PMI

2. www.ipma.ch – Internation Project Management Association

3. www.pmi.org - Job Descriptions and Salary Survey Data