When pmi started?
The Project Management Institute (PMI, legally Project Management Institute, Inc.) is a U.S.-based not-for-profit professional organization for project management.
PMI serves more than five million professionals including over 680,000 members in 217 countries and territories around the world, with 304 chapters and 14,000 volunteers serving local members in over 180 countries.
Its services include the development of standards, research, education, publication, networking-opportunities in local chapters, hosting conferences and training seminars, and providing accreditation in project management.
PMI has recruited volunteers to create industry standards, such as A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, a guide that sets out the standards that guide project management, and which shapes what is considered to be the PMI method. Also, it has been recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In 2012 ISO adapted the project management processes from the PMBOK Guide 4th edition.
In the 1960s project management as such began to be used in the US aerospace, construction and defense industries. The Project Management Institute was founded by Ned Engman (McDonnel Douglas Automation), James Snyder, Susan Gallagher (SmithKline & French Laboratories), Eric Jenett (Brown & Root) and J Gordon Davis (Georgia Institute of Technology) at the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1969 as a nonprofit organization. It was incorporated in the state of Pennsylvania in the same year. PMI described its objectives in 1975 as to "foster recognition of the need for professionalism in project management; provide a forum for the free exchange of project management problems, solutions and applications; coordinate industrial and academic research efforts; develop common terminology and techniques to improve communications; provide interface between users and suppliers of hardware and software systems; and to provide guidelines for instruction and career development in the field of project management."
In the 1970s standardization efforts represented 10 to 15 percent of the institute's efforts. The functions were performed through the Professional Liaison Committee which called on and coordinated with the Technology, Research Policy and Education Committees. The institute participated in national activities through the American National Standards Committee XK 36.3 and internationally, through liaison with an appointed observer to Europe's International Project Management Association, by then called INTERNET. PMI did not deal with the US federal government directly; a number of members were federal employees in agencies involved with project management.
In the 1980s, efforts were made to standardize project management procedures and approaches. The PMI produced the first Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) in 1996.
In the late 1990s Virgil R. Carter became president of the PMI. In 2002 Carter was succeeded by Gregory Balestrero, who directed the institute until his retirement in January 2011. He was succeeded as President and CEO by Mark A. Langley. From March 2019 through December 2021 the president and CEO was Sunil Prashara. Pierre Le Manh was appointed CEO on September 1, 2022.
Launched in 1984, PMI's first credential was the PMP. It has since become a de facto standard certification in project management. In 2007 it earned the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). As of May 2020 over one million people held the PMP credential.
PMI later introduced other certifications. Credential holders do not have to be members of PMI.
To initially obtain a PMI credential, candidates must first document that they have met the required education and experience requirements. They must then pass an examination consisting of multiple-choice questions. To maintain most PMI credentials, holders must earn Professional Development Units (PDUs), which can be earned in a variety of ways such as taking classes, attending PMI global congresses, contributing to professional research or writing and publishing papers on the subject. Most credentials must be renewed every three years. These are the certifications and credentials offered by PMI:
PMI also provided a Certified OPM3 Professional credential which was officially discontinued on March 1, 2017. PMI no longer allows use of the credential's designation by individuals who formerly obtained it. OPM3, even though no longer neither a credential nor a publication, remains a registered mark of PMI.
The standards PMI develops and publishes fall into three main categories:
Here is a list of the current standards or guides in each category:
Foundational Standards
Practice Standards and Frameworks
Practice Guides
PMI Lexicon of Project Management Terms While not a standard, framework, or practice guide, the PMI Lexicon of Project Management Terms offers clear and concise definitions for nearly 200 of the profession's frequently used terms. Definitions in the Lexicon were developed by volunteer experts, and PMI standards committees are chartered to use the Lexicon terms without modification. Version 3.2 contains numerous revised terms based on requests from the 2017 foundational standard committees.
PMI honors project management excellence in various categories, e.g.: project professionals, organizations, scholars, authors and continuing professional education providers.
This article incorporates public domain material from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Launched in 1984, PMI's first credential was the PMP. It has since become a de facto standard certification in project management. In 2007 it earned the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 accreditation from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). As of May 2020 over one million people held the PMP credential.
As an organization, The Project Management Institute offers training and certification in project management field, and it reports on industry trends regularly. The PMI also sets the standard for ethics in the field. Given its immense influence, it’s important to have basic information of PMI and its history.
The footprint of PMI is huge. With over 500,000 members in 208 locations all over the world, 300 chapters and 10,000 volunteers, PMI serves more than 2.9 million professionals in the industry.
PMI researches, educates, develops industry standards, publishes a journal, organizes conferences and offers a world-recognized certification.
The Project Management Institute periodically updates its A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, which is complemented by volunteers in the industry and recognized by organization American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
But where did PMI come from? What are the roots that support this giant in project management industry? They go back to the 1960s, when project management became a discipline in the aerospace, construction and defense industry. It was in these sectors that the PMI seed was planted.
In 1969, Jim Snyder of Smith, Kline & French Laboratories and Gordon Davis of the Georgia Institute of Technology, had dinner in Philadelphia and agreed that there was a need for an organization to offer project managers a forum for sharing information and discussing their industry.
Later that year, Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta held the first formal meeting of the nascent organization. Afterwards, in Pennsylvania, articles of association were filed and signed by five founders of the Project Management Institute.
At about the same time, PMI spent some of its resources on developing industry standards. This was done through the Professional Liaison Committee, which worked with the Technology, Research Policy and Education Committees. It also co-operated with the American National Standards Committee and Europe's International Project Management Association. By year 1980, these efforts were standardized into project management procedures and approaches. By year 1996, PMI created the first Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
In the 1990s, under the leadership of president Virgil R. Carter, PMI tripled its membership base to 90,000 members in 120 countries. Carter's successor became Gregory Balestrero, who directed the PMI for one decade, since 2002. At present, Mark Langley is the president of PMI.
PMI has developed a certification program to certify skills and experience in project management. Project Management Professional (PMP) was launched in 1984 and has since become an industry standard. In 2007, PMP was accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and by July 2018 it is held by more than 876,000 people.
In order to be able to apply for PMI certification, domain experience levels in the field, levels of education, or both are required. To qualify, a candidate must have a three-year project management experience, 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education with a four-year degree.
If the candidate has a secondary education degree, such as a high school diploma, an associate degree or equivalent, then he must have five years of experience in project management, 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects, and 35 hours of project management education.
To obtain the PMP certification, there is a test with 200 questions and multiple choices that requires reviewing the PMP handbook. Candidates can view the content of the exam online and get familiar with sample questions. There are also formal study courses offered by PMI chapters or Registered Education Providers (REPs). There are also self-study books published by REPs and other reputable training organizations available. In addition, it is important to know A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide).
PMP is just one of many certifications offered by the Project Management Institute. There is also a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), which is a basic level of certification that requires less project management experience than PMP.
There are also certifications available in Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) and PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA).
There is also a certification such as an OPM3 Professional, which identifies the Organizational Project Management Maturity Model, which is a standard of best practices for assessing and developing capabilities in project strategy implementation through portfolio management, program management and project management.
PMI understands that a project manager is a decision-maker, and by taking decisions, they affect people, resources and the environment. Therefore, their choices are not strictly business-oriented but often interfere with ethics. Such decisions can lead to dilemmas and even to the risks, which may cause the project manager to be confused over the right direction. This is especially a problem if project managers find themselves in contradiction with shareholders.
PMI is attempting to wade through these ethical waters and offers some direction through its Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and ethical decision-making framework. There are many articles, publications and webinars on this topic. The organization also offers an ethics complaint and review process as a tool for project managers. Questions, concerns or ideas can be filed to a PMI Ethics Member Advisory Group member.
Like most trade organizations, PMI organizes a number of events for this industry. In Dublin, Ireland, PMI EMEA Congress 2019 will be held in mid-May. Within three days, there are presentations of keynote speeches, global project management perspectives, and opportunities to network with colleagues in the field.
Throughout the year, SeminarsWorld regional events are also given to provide detailed multi-day training on a specific topic. They offer practical applications and real-life solutions from experienced experts in small groups with practical instructions and with regard to individual needs.
Mega SeminarsWorld is a similar action to those mentioned above, only with a larger selection of popular SeminarsWorld courses, plus morning keynote speeches and organized receptions.
The organization also hosts the PMI Global Conference, which attracts thousands of project management professionals from around the world. It is a three-day action of diversified education that covers all practices, approaches and tools in the industry. There are the keynote speeches curated breakout sessions for leading solutions and networking opportunities.
The PMO Symposium is the place for the exchange of best practices and new insights into the project management strategies and practices. It also provides opportunities for networking and workshops. The event is for leaders and executives who are involved in portfolios of projects, programs, and initiatives.
The organization awards industry professionals who have shown passion, talent and expertise in their field. Some of these awards include the PMI Fellows Award, which is the most prestigious personal award from PMI, and is recognition of service for the benefit of the organization and the profession.
The PMI Eric Jenett Project Management Excellence Award is recognition of people who make a significant contribution to project management through leadership, technical project management and strategic and business management foresight.
The PMI Young Professional Award is designed for individual young project managers who have a significant impact on project management progress within the organization, expanding knowledge and understanding of project management, and who possess outstanding standards, practices and ethics of the Project Management Institute.
There are also awards for projects, as the PMI Project of the Year, the PMI Project Excellence Award and the PMO of the Year Award.
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Description The Project Management Institute is a U.S.-based not-for-profit professional organization for project management. Wikipedia
This is where PMI comes in.
PMI stands for the Project Management Institute. Its a leading not-for-profit professional membership association for the project management profession. The aim of the association is to provide tools, network, and best practices to those who seek help to successfully manage their projects and portfolios. It started in 1969, and currently, the resources and research programs by PMI are helping more than 2.9 million professionals working in almost every country to excel in their respective profession. In addition to this, PMI is also the organization that oversees the documentation of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) Guide. PMBOK Guide is basically a book that contains all the standards and guidelines established by the Project Management Institute for successful project management. In fact, project management professionals across the world are relying on the Project Management Institute’s standards and guidelines to boost business success and manage different types of projects during their project management career.
PMI membership is for all those people who consider themselves as an “active project management professional”. This includes project managers as well as practitioners who look forward to improving their skills and explore potential development opportunities within the industry. Now, the PMI membership works for almost anyone who’d like to better manage projects, but it’s best to use within industries like Construction, Architecture, Finance, Consulting, Governance, and Quality Assurance. When used appropriately within these industries, PMI membership can help individuals and teams gain control of their projects and manage them successfully on a large scale.
PMI offers a wide range of credentials and certifications, and it has something for everyone. Whether you are a project manager or someone who has just started out his/her career, PMI will always have something to suit your need. PMI has both entry- level and specialist certification schemes that are specifically designed to help professionals recognize their knowledge and competency, and then use it to grow in their profession.
1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is designed to improve your understanding regarding the fundamental terminologies and practices of effective project management. If you’re a project manager who would like to gain more control over projects or add more project management skills into your role, then CAPM is for you. 2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a gold standard project management certification that is recognized and demanded worldwide. Through Project Management Professional (PMP) you can validate your competence to fit the role of a project manager in any organization. 3. Program Management Professional (PgMP)
Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification is designed for those who manage multiple, complex projects and teams. Through this certification, you prove your ability to manage multiple projects and navigate complex activities to achieve results that align with the organizational goals. 4. Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)
The Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP) certification is designed to recognize the experience and skills of portfolio managers. If you would like to demonstrate your ability to manage one or more portfolios to achieve your organizational objectives, you should definitely go for PfMP. 5. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
The PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification is created for those who apply Agile principles and practices in project management. To qualify for this certification, you need a combination of experience, skills, training, and exams. If you believe in Agile approaches such as SCRUM, XP, Lean and Kanban, consider PMI-ACP without any second thoughts. 6. PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)
Do you want to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the area of identifying and eliminating project risks during the project management process? If yes, them MI-RMP certification is right for you. Through PMI-RMP you learn how to mitigate threats and capitalize on opportunities in project management. 7. PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP)
The PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) certification is for those who need to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in developing and maintaining project schedules. If you have knowledge and skills to develop, manage, and maintain project schedules and you would like to showcase them, then PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) is a perfect choice. 8. PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
Throguh PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certification you highlight your knowledge and skills in the specialized area of business analysis. It helps you showcase your ability to effectively define business requirements, plan the project outcome, and lead a team successfully towards the same.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a nonprofit organization for those working in project management across the globe. If you have even a passing interest in the field, then you’ve bumped up against PMI. After all, it does have millions of members throughout the world.
As an organization, it offers training and certification in project management, and it reports regularly on industry trends. The Project Management Institute also sets the standard for ethics in the field. Given its vast influence, it’s important to have a basic understanding of PMI and its history.
The PMI footprint is huge. The organization serves over 2.9 million professionals in the industry and has over 500,000 members in 208 locations around the world, with 300 chapters and 10,000 volunteers.
It researches, educates, develops industry standards, publishes a journal, hosts conferences and offers a globally recognized certification.
The Project Management Institute periodically updates its A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, which is informed by industry volunteers and recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
But where did PMI start? What are the roots that uphold this giant in project management? It goes back to the 1960s when project management became a discipline in aerospace, construction and defense industries. It was from these industries that the PMI seed was planted.
In 1969, in Philadelphia, Jim Snyder, of Smith, Kline & French Laboratories, and Gordon Davis, of the Georgia Institute of Technology, were having dinner and decided there was a need for an organization that offered project managers a forum to share information and discuss their industry.
Later that year, the first formal meeting of the burgeoning organization took place at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. Afterward, articles of incorporation were filed in Pennsylvania and signed by the five founders of PMI.
The nonprofit outlined its goals in 1975: “Foster recognition of the need for professionalism in project management; provide a forum for the free exchange of project management problems, solutions and applications; coordinate industrial and academic research efforts; develop common terminology and techniques to improve communications; provide an interface between users and suppliers of hardware and software systems, and to provide guidelines for instruction and career development in the field of project management.”
Around that same time, PMI devoted some of its resources to developing standards for the industry. This was done through a Professional Liaison Committee, which worked with the Technology, Research Policy and Education Committees. It also worked with the American National Standards Committee and Europe’s International Project Management Association. By 1980, those efforts were standardized into project management procedures and approaches. By 1996, PMI produced the first Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK).
During the 1990s, PMI tripled its membership to 90,000 in 120 countries, under the leadership of then-president Virgil R. Carter. Following Carter, Gregory Balestrero directed PMI for a decade, starting in 2002. Currently, Mark Langley is the president of PMI.
PMI developed a certification program to acknowledge skills and experience in project management. The Project Management Professional (PMP) was launched in 1984 and has since become an industry standard. In 2007, PMP was accredited by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and as of July 2018, over 876,000 people hold this certification.
PMI certification requires that a person meet domain experience levels, educational levels or both to apply. To qualify a candidate must have three years of project management experience, 4,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education with a four-year degree.
If the candidate has a secondary degree, as in a high school diploma, associate degree or equivalent, then they need to have five years of project management experience, 7,500 hours of leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.
To earn PMP certification, there is a 200-question, multiple-choice test that requires reviewing the PMP handbook. Candidates can look at exam content online and get familiar with sample questions. There are also formal study courses offered by PMI chapters or accredited Registered Education Providers (REPs). Self-study books published by REPs and other reputable training organizations are also available. Additionally, it’s crucial to know A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide).
PMP is but one of many certifications that are offered by PMI. There is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), which is an entry-level certification that requires less project experience than PMP to qualify.
There are also credentials available in Program Management Professional (PgMP), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP), PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP) and PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA).
Looking for ideas for your Project Management Dissertation?
There’s also a certification as an OPM3 Professional, standing for Organizational Project Management Maturity Model, which is a best-practice standard for assessing and developing capabilities in executing strategy in projects through portfolio management, program management and project management.
PMI understands that a project manager is a decision-maker, and by making decisions they are impacting people, resources and environments. Therefore, their choices are not strictly business-oriented but often bleed into the ethical territory. Decisions like these can lead to dilemmas and even risks, which can leave a project manager puzzled over the right course of action. This becomes especially problematic when project managers find themselves at odds with stakeholders.
PMI attempts to wade into these ethical waters and offers some direction with its Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and ethical decision-making framework. They have many articles, papers and webinars on the subject. The organization also offers an ethics complaint and review process as a resource to project managers. A PMI Ethics Member Advisory Group member can be contacted with questions, concerns or ideas.
As with most trade organizations, PMI produces a series of events for the industry. The PMI EMEA Congress 2019 takes place in mid-May in Dublin, Ireland. Over three days, there are keynote speeches, global perspectives on project management and an opportunity to network with peers in the industry.
There are also regional SeminarsWorld events given throughout the year that provide in-depth multi-day training on a specific topic. They offer practical applications and real-life solutions from experienced experts in a small group setting with hands-on instruction and individualized attention.
A Mega SeminarsWorld is like the above only with a larger selection of popular SeminarsWorld courses and featuring morning keynote speeches and organized receptions.
The organization also produces the PMI Global Conference, which attracts thousands of project management professionals from all over the world. It’s a three-day event of diversified education that covers all practices, approaches and tools in the industry. There are keynote speeches and curated breakout sessions to leading solutions and networking opportunities.
The PMO Symposium is a place to exchange best practices and new insights into the strategies and practices in project management. It also provides networking opportunities and workshops. The event is made for leaders and executives who deal with a portfolio of projects, programs and initiatives.
The organization awards professionals in the industry who exhibit passion, talent and expertise in their field. Some of these awards include the PMI Fellows Award, which is the most prestigious individual award given by PMI, which recognizes service to the organization and profession.
The PMI Eric Jenett Project Management Excellence Award recognizes people who make an outstanding contribution to project management through leadership, technical project management and strategic and business management acumen.
The PMI Young Professional Award is for young project management individuals who are making a significant impact in advancing project management within an organization, advancing knowledge and the understanding of project management, and showing outstanding PMI standards, practices and ethics.
There are also awards for projects, such as the PMI Project of the Year, PMI Project Excellence Award and the PMO of the Year Award.
One of the founding principles of PMI is to offer resources for project management professionals. There are many, such as certification and training programs and the various events they produce, but they also have an online site.
ProjectManagement.com is a knowledge portal offering project managers a place to create and explore articles and participate in a diverse community. There are virtual research sessions, known as the PMchallenge, to help you hone your project management knowledge and skills and, when you answer correctly, it’s reflected on your profile.
The site also has tools to help you with categories such as Agile, application lifecycle management, budgeting and forecasting, change management and more. There are also sections to help with career development, project management standards, project management in academia and assistance for new practitioners.
There are webinars on the site, both live and on-demand. They also present PDU qualifying activities that, for PMI members, can be directly reported to PMI towards remaining up-to-date on the certification.
That, templates and a rich library of industry-related articles, make PMI online a great resource and one more aspect of how this organization gives back to the industry that has given so much to them.
PMI is a great resource, one that in congress with ProjectManager is a winning hand for any project manager. Both sites provide a wealth of useful information on the industry and its practices. ProjectManager also offers a project management tool with features such as a real-time dashboard and online Gantt charts to help you take knowledge and apply it practically to your project. See how it can help your career today by taking this free 30-day trial.
