PMSA Biennial Conference makes a great impression

On 6 September 2010, a conference room packed to capacity greeted the opening keynote speaker of the biennial Project Management South Africa (PMSA) Conference, Dr Terry Cooke-Davies. Considered a global thought leader by many of his peers, an audience of 200 delegates was privy to his presentation that took everyone on a journey of the event’s theme, “Review. Reflect. Renew.”

Another conference highlight was a heated yet lively debate between international keynote speaker Dr Paul Giammalvo and Ivor Blumenthal, chief executive officer of the Services Sector Education and Training Authority.

The topic at hand was the question of professionalism and whether project management can be termed a profession in its own right.

Dr Giammalvo maintained that project managers cannot place themselves among the ranks of doctors and lawyers, while Blumenthal established that project management was indeed a profession within the South African context.

Expanding on the controversial issue of the industry’s charter, Blumenthal encouraged discussion both with the audience and his debating counterpart, often drawing loud guffaws from around the room with his lively presentation style.

As a key and important item on the PMSA agenda at present, the session could not have been better timed.

One of the more memorable presentations was the paper presented via interactive web link-up by globally recognised expert on project, programme and portfolio management, Dr Harold Kerzner.

As the author of several best-selling books, his insights on the future of project management proved to be of great value to the conference delegates, and no doubt have shaped their approach to their projects now that they are back at the office.

Several case studies on important landmark projects on the South African landscape were presented, and included the likes of the Gautrain and the King Shaka International Airport.

Both were presented by project managers Jack van der Merwe and Walter Ringelmann, who entertained the audience with coal face facts about the construction feats they had personally led in the build-up to the Fifa Soccer World Cup.

Several pertinent and project-based issues formed the backdrop to many presentations, and included the BP oil spill and, of course, the World Cup – which was a conference theme.

Not least of which was the paper presented by United States editor of PM Forum David Pells, who referenced the greatest environmental disaster in recent history in his presentation on preparing for disruptive events.

Project leadership authority and educator Jürgen Oschladeus took a more light-hearted approach, with a solid and detailed review of the biggest sporting spectacle South Africa has ever seen, much to the delight of the delegates.

“Overall, the conference can only be termed a great success,” says PMSA chief executive officer, Taryn van Olden.

“Marked by two streams offering both research and industry presentations, practical workshops, valuable networking sessions, as well as industry awards, the event was a gathering of the who’s who of project management.

“There can be no doubt that the PMSA Conference 2010 has set the stage for a successful two years ahead for the project management profession at large,” she adds.

Indeed, captains of industry came together to review, reflect and renew so that South African companies and residents alike can enjoy the results of many more worthy projects in the near and distant future.

The PMSA Conference has set the agenda for project management, which will no doubt be defined by a renewed and fresh approach to all that is undertaken going forward.

PMSA becomes a member of the International Project Management Association

PMSA chairperson Robert Best and CEO Van Olden were recently invited to attend the International Project Management Association (IPMA) Council of Delegates meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland where they put PMSA forward for transitional membership of this global body.

Following the presentation, which established PMSA’s credentials as the largest project management professional association in South Africa and highlighted its diverse and comprehensive member base, the Council unanimously accepted PMSA as a transitional member.

PMSA thus joins this peer group of more than 50 national bodies that comprise IPMA’s membership, and which have constitutions, objectives and responsibilities similar to those of PMSA.

Speaking to Jouko Vaskimo, the Finnish correspondent for PMSA media partner PM Forum, Best said: “It is great to think that we now belong to a family of project managers from around the globe. This will enable us in South Africa to compare the skills of our project management levels to those of IPMA standards.

“We now look forward to being involved in activities that will raise the awareness of IPMA in Africa as a whole.”

Van Olden added, “One of our mandates as PMSA is to facilitate information sharing for our members and be representative of the range of approaches, methodologies and certifications available to project managers worldwide.

This is therefore an important step for PMSA, and we look forward to developing a stronger relationship with other IPMA member associations around the world and unpacking the terms of our transitional membership and how this will benefit PMSA members.”

Founded in 1967 and registered in Switzerland, IPMA is the oldest global project management professional organisation.

The IPMA Competence Baseline (ICB) is the standard that serves as the basis for the IPMA 4 Level certification system.

The ICB sets out the knowledge and experience expected from the managers of projects, programmes and project portfolios. It contains basic terms, practices, methods and tools for professional project management, as well as specialist knowledge and experience.

At the end of 2009, there were more than 110 000 IPMA certificates worldwide.

Visit www.ipma.ch for more information.

Prosperus Report 2010 promises to be bigger and better than ever

In 2009, PMSA proudly co-published the Prosperus Report based on real-life project data gathered in the information technology (IT) sector during 2008, and launched the fascinating findings in book form at the PMSA Western Cape Regional Conference in November last year.

The aim of the project is to examine project maturity versus project success in Africa as part of a longitudinal study.

Since 2003, regular surveys have been conducted to determine the success rate of IT projects in South Africa. In 2010, it was decided to widen the scope of the research to include all industries and to look at Africa as a continent.

This year, an even larger team of research professionals, representing five major academic institutions, is collaborating to cover all industries in which project management is practised.

To date, close to 800 respondents have completed the questionnaire.

As a result of the wide net that has been cast, the research initiative promises to highlight trends and intelligence that will be of interest to anyone practising as a project manager, as well as management and senior executives in industries undertaking strategic projects.

Who are the researchers?

The study is presently being carried out by Unisa’s School of Computing – Professor Les Labuschagne, Prof. Mariki Eloff and Ms Dorothy Scholtz; University of Pretoria’s Department of Engineering and Technology Management – Prof. Herman Steyn and Ms Suzaan Pretorius; University of Johannesburg’s Department of Business Information Technology – Dr Carl Marnewick; Gordon Institute of Business Science – Dr Peter Tobin; and University of Stellenbosch Business School Executive Development – MC Botha.

The results of this survey will be published as an industry report and will be made available at no cost to all the participants.

Specific categories of findings will be unpacked in articles to appear in PMSA’s various communication channels.

For more information about the Prosperus Report, go to http://sites.google.com/site/prosperusafrica.

Start off 2011 with a commitment to your professional development

If you are not already a member of PMSA, and you are working as a project manager or a member of a project team, make 2011 your year for professional development and take the first step by joining PMSA.

How to become a member

PMSA offers different grades of membership to accommodate the different career stages of our members:

• Associate membership – Associate members do not have voting rights, but enjoy the other benefits of PMSA membership. Associate members are new to project management or would like to enter the project management environment.
• Full membership – Full members have a tertiary qualification and at least three years’ experience managing projects.*
• Professional membership – Professional members have a tertiary qualification in project management, the appropriate amount of experience leading projects, and are active in promoting the industry.*
• Retiree membership – Retirees are those who reach retirement age, having been members of PMSA prior to retirement.
• Honorary membership – Honorary membership is conferred from time to time on individuals who have dedicated most or all of their careers to PM and furthering it as a profession.

Full and professional membership applicants go through a grading process.

*Consult the grading application form and criteria for exact requirements applicable to a grade.

There is a once-off grading fee, and applicants need to submit proof of their experience and qualifications. 

To learn more about the benefits of PMSA membership, contact the PMSA National Office for further information:

PMSA National Office

Postal Address: PO Box 4328, Rivonia, 2128, Gauteng, South Africa

Physical Address: 3 Autumn Street, Rivonia, Sandton, 2128

Tel: (011) 257 8003

Fax: 088 011 662 2961

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: www.projectmanagement.org.za