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Report from Budapest: PMI Graduates 22 New Leaders
Coming from 13 Different Countries!

Reported by PMF Correspondents Theofanis Giotis and Alcides Santopietro
from Budapest, Hungary.

On May 11, 2007, the Project Management Institute (PMI®) graduated in Budapest, Hungary, twenty-two (22) leaders who have concluded the PMI Leadership Institute Masters Class (PMI EMEA LIMC, Class 1), a training program defined by PMI as “a journey of self-discovery and leadership development.”

After one year of activities, three face-to-face sessions - in Madrid (Spain), Warsaw (Poland) and Budapest (Hungary) - and three teleconference meetings, the participants experienced a program similar to that which leaders of globally recognized companies receive. The PMI LIMC initiative, part of PMI’s strategy to form leaders worldwide, is one of the many opportunities that PMI provides to develop the professional career of its members. PMI LIMC participants, after passing through a strict selection process to be part of this group, now have the skills necessary to transform PMI, themselves and their professional organizations.

This was PMI’s first program taking place outside North America and the cultural variety was remarkable: the participants come from 13 different countries from all over the globe with 6 business owners among the participants.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Budapest, Hungary, during PMI’s Leadership meeting on May 11th, 2007. Mr. Greg Balestrero, PMI’s CEO and Mrs. Linda Vella, PMI’s elected Chair of the Board, congratulated all graduates encouraging them to continue “the journey of self-discovery and leadership development”.

The graduates are energized, as can be seen in their testimonials about the program:

 

“Leadership is dreaming, believing and inspiring self and others, into achieving something bigger than anyone of us can achieve individually” Mounir Ajam, MS, PMP CEO, Sukad, FZ-LLC (Lebanon/United Arab Emirates)

“Demystified some notions of leadership, confirmed a gut feeling: a leader is an altruistic motivator who can transcend management and can focus others’ energy. The sooner you see yourself in this ROLE, the less you’ll be impatient to be just nominated in a position”. Alexander Matthey, PMP Managing Director, 3PM Experts (Switzerland)

“The program definitely changed the way I interact with people, not only in my professional relationships but also in my personal life. When we understand how people react according to their motivational system, we can learn how to extract the best from each person and, then, lead better and get results in a more intelligent way” Alcides Santopietro Jr., PMP (Brazil)

“Leadership is a journey, not a destination. The PMI LIMC class has helped us to make this journey pleasant and fun. Also, the networking experience available to all participants in the PMI LIMC class is INVALUABLE.” Theofanis Giotis, MSc, PMP, MCT Co-Founder & CEO, ITEC President, PMI Greece Chapter (Greece)

“To all future leaders: PMI’s LIMC is the ultimate journey of self awareness. Once you master this skill, you will be prepared to lead at the next level”. Wes Balakian, PMP CEO, TSI (United States)

“The many different cultures and experiences brought in by each individually provided a fertile ground for my journey of self-discovery and empowerment where I now have a personal vision and a good understanding of myself and others. The LIMC Class is an excellent preparation for taking my next step in leadership in the PMI organization”. Peter Vreeswijk, PMP (Netherlands)

"I used to believe that leadership could be taught. Now, after LIMC, I know that leadership could and should be taught to everybody within organizations and within PMI network”. Marcelo Cota, MSc, PMP, Central Bank of Brazil University of Sao Paulo Ph.D. Cand. (Brazil)

“I am convinced that a true leadership culture within PMI and its Chapters is crucial to win the fierce competition for the time of our volunteers who help to provide value for PMI’s members. I am fortunate to be part of this Master Class”. Richard van Ruler, PMP (Netherlands)

“Volunteering for PMI has enriched and enhanced my career. The leadership master class has given me additional tools I’m certain will help me become a more effective leader”. Eric Norman, Vice-president – Chief Project Officer Insurance Technology Solutions, Choicepoint (United States)

“This experience empowers me to take responsibility for my role as a leader and help others to achieve their full potential. I feel very grateful for the relationships I have built and I am eager to move forward with this newfound knowledge”. Becky Anderson, Project Management Institute (Unites States)

“If you have the: - Courage to be brutally honest with yourself; - Desire to understand what motivates different people, and how they behave in conflict; - Drive to continually improve so you can lead by example; Enroll on PMI LIMC”. Petra Goltz, PMP (Italy)

“The LIMC can be a scary experience. You will learn things about yourself that should have remained a secret. You will learn to better understand others: a scary thought. Confused you will become. But the force will be with you and in the end you will become a better leader”. Eric Morfin, PMP (United States)

“The Dutch group used a soccer related quota to describe the experience in LIMC: ‘Every advantage has an disadvantage.’ I would like to add another: ‘After the game is before the game,’ meaning that leadership is based on never ending willingness to reflect your own role as well as the reasoning of others to act the way they do”. Steffi Triest, PMP (Germany)

“I found this course a valuable journey of self-discovery and an excellent forum for networking with PM leaders / volunteers from all over the world”. Padhraic Ludden, PMP Past President, PMI Ireland Chapter (Ireland)

“LIMC 2007 was the greatest leadership learning experience in my life. If you have a future opportunity to participate, please do”. Jean Braun, PMP North Carolina Chapter (United States)

Other participants are: Nathalie Collautt (USA), Deena Gordon (Turkey), Jean Gouix, (France), Pan Kao (United States), Yan Bello Mendez (Spain), Brenda Ellen Treasure (Australia), Robert Hierholtz (France). and Daniel Tuten (USA).

For more information about PMI Leadership Institute Masters Class program, visit:
http://www.pmi.org/prod/groups/public/documents/info/gmc_li_mastersclass.asp

With nearly 220,000 members in over 165 countries, PMI is the world’s largest and best-known project management professional society. PMI is engaged in advocacy for the PM profession, setting standards, conducting research and providing access to a wide variety of information and resources. PMI also promotes career and professional development and offers certification, networking and community involvement opportunities. PMI was founded in the USA in 1969, but is now a global organization with members, chapters and offices worldwide.
For more information, visit www.pmi.org

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Project Management in Galicia is Moving Forward

Reported by PMF correspondent Alfonso Bucero in Madrid, Spain

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Project Management en Galicia AvanzaY Crea Una Asociacion

Reported by PMF correspondent Alfonso Bucero in Madrid, Spain

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Leadership Meetings in Budapest Moves PMI Forward

Reported by PMF Correspondents Theofanis Giotis and Alfonso Bucero
from Budapest, Hungary.

Leaders and representatives from Components of the Project Management Institute (PMI®) have been meeting in Budapest, Hungary this week, immediately preceding the PMI EMEA 2007 Global Congress on Project Management. This brief report was provided by Alfonso Bucero and Theofanis Giotis, PMForum correspondents who are in Budapest and who participated in the PMI Leadership Meetings on 12-13 May 2007.

Mr. Alfonso Bucero, PM Forum Correspondent from Spain, interviewed Greg Balestrero, CEO of PMI on May 13, “Greg, do you have any special comment for the last day of the Leadership Meeting in Budapest?”

According to Balestrero, “The main subject discussed by the BOD today was “Board Leadership Continuity”. Looking ahead five to seven years we are trying to figure out how what we need to do about leadership from the top. We are looking for specific characteristics for the Board focused on today. Yan Ping Chen (Member of the BOD) is the Chair for the task team. She is also president of UMT (University of Management & Technology). She is responsible for giving recommendations to the Board about the Leadership Continuity Model”

Theofanis Giotis, PM Forum Correspondent from Greece, interviewed Mr. Thomas Walenta, PMI Board Member, and Chair of the PMI Board’s External Relations and Volunteer Involvement Committee. About the PMI Leadership meeting in Budapest, Theofanis asked, “Thomas, what did you like most at the leadership meeting?”

Thomas replied, “I really liked the Q&A session which really brought up the important and well formulated issues, where the PMI GOC (Global Operations Center) together with the chapters can work together to solve them!”

The leadership meeting has finished today with a Network Reception along the Danube River. It was a great opportunity to network with people and to drink, eat and enjoy meeting other PMI leaders and friends. Here are some photos from the reception and boat ride on the Danube.

The PMI EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa) Global Congress is one of four Global Congresses held each year by the Project Management Institute (PMI®), along with congresses in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America and North America.

The PMI Global Congresses are some of the largest project management-related events in the world each year and include educational seminars, tracks of professional paper presentations, vendor exhibitions, networking and social events, and professional meetings. PMI also conducts regional leadership meetings in connection with each Global Congress, at which leaders of PMI components, committees and operations staff meet on PMI business. For more information about Global Congresses, visit http://congresses.pmi.org/.

With more than 200,000 members in over 165 countries, PMI is the world’s largest and best-known project management professional society. PMI is engaged in advocacy for the PM profession, setting standards, conducting research and providing access to a wide variety of information and resources. PMI also promotes career and professional development and offers certification, networking and community involvement opportunities. PMI was founded in the USA in 1969, but is now a global organization with members, chapters and offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.pmi.org

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Report from Budapest: PMI EMEA Congress News -
PMI launches PM Career Framework

Reported by PMF correspondent Larry Suda from Budapest, Hungary

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) has announced a new career framework that will serve as a blueprint for project management career development. PMI’s career framework is a single web-based tool that serves both the project management practitioner and the organization that employs them.

The framework provides for a skills and competencies self-assessment or a 360 degree assessments. The new Career Framework was announced on Wednesday, 16 May, at the PMI 2007 EMEA Global Congress on Project Management in Budapest, Hungary.

PMI has categorized portfolio, program and project management skills into three competencies: professional, interpersonal. The career framework also provides job descriptions and a career path. Each job on the career path is clearly defined and heavily researched. The job titles used in the career framework received over 98 percent acceptance rate on a recent PMI survey of over 5000 project managers. These job descriptions help the practitioner compare his or her skill-set to a position’s requirements, helping both the individual and employer more accurately assess the job fit.

The assessment tools and job descriptions can be customized by the organization to reflect unique skill needs. For example, NASA is using the assessment tool, but adding in specific competencies to reflect their safety requirements.

According to John Roecker, who introduced PMI’s new Framework, “This will help organizations introduce a formal career path for project managers within their organizations.”

Dr. Roecker cited research studies indicating that employees who plan their job futures are more engaged, have higher job satisfaction and are ultimately more valuable to their organizations. The Framework is also available for individuals who are PMI members.

The PMI career framework can be used as an assessment for further development through additional course work, job assignments or other developmental activities. The framework is scheduled for launch today and is available at: www.pmi.org/careerframework

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Registration Remains Open for 21st IPMA World Congress

Registration remains open for the 21st IPMA World Congress on Project Management, scheduled for June 18-21 in Cracow, Poland. The International Project Management Association (IPMA) has announced the final schedule of activities and events for their annual congress, which is expected to draw attendees from around the world, including from their 46+ local member PM associations in various countries now spanning the globe.

Registration fees must be paid in advance, by credit card or bank transfer, in Euros, according to the chart in the box below.

Although the online registration deadline is promoted on the website as 15 May 2007, congress organizers have assured PMForum that registrations with payments will be accepted through the end of May. Registrations will also be accepted onsite for late arrivals and guests.

The congress will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, and professional paper presentations across five main tracks:

• Project Management for Economic Transformation
• EU Projects, Government & Public Sectors
• Innovation and new frontiers in Project Management
• Project Management from level CEO, Best Practices
• Education, Certification, Standards & Profession – Human Resources in Project Management

A number of special networking opportunities will occur, including vendor exhibition, welcome drink, gala banquet, and other evening events.

Keynote Speeches

Special Guest: President Lech Walesa, Legendary Leader of Solidarity Trade Union, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 1983, President of Poland 1990-1995, Other featured guest speakers will include leading experts in project management: Prof. Roland Gareis (Austria), Dr Ing Juergen Schloss (Germany), Mr Antii Heinonen (Finland), Prof. Rodney Turner (UK), Prof. Peter Morris (UK).

Special Events

The IPMA Congress in Cracow will include a full slate of pre-Congress and post-congress activities and excursions, including the following:

• Pre-congress: IPMA Open Golf Cup, Young Crew workshop, Microsoft Workshop, IPMA Naiton-to-Nation Forum, evening receptions, and several local excursions.

• Excursions for guests during congress: The Royal Route, The Cracow of John Paul II, Natural Heritage of Cracow, the Magic and Legends of Cracow, the Kaximierz District, Museums & Galleries of Cracow, and Wawel Hill.

• Post-congress excursions: Wieliczka Salt Mine, Route of John Paul II, Memorial & Museum of Auschwitz – Birkenau, Pieniny Mountains, and Warsaw.

The local host organization for the IPMA 2007 World Congress in Cracow is Project Management Association Poland (SPMP). The Congress Chairman is Stanislaw Sroka, who is also President of SPMP. For registration, schedule and other information, visit the conference website at http://www.ipma2007.com/.

Founded in 1967 and registered in Switzerland, the International Project Management Association (IPMA) is the world’s oldest project management professional organization. IPMA is an international network of national PM societies that serve the specific development needs of each country in its national language. IPMA provides an umbrella organization to represent them at the international level. IPMA is a global organization with over 40 national representative societies in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The local bodies promote project management professionalism on the specific cultural requirements across all types of projects. IPMA’s internationally acclaimed 4 Level Project Management Certification Programme continues to grow dramatically, with over 50.000 professionals having now achieved IPMA Certification. The IPMA annually presents project management awards to teams that achieve great feats in project management. IPMA maintains its continuous presence in the global PM arena through its regular hosting of International Symposia, Expert Seminars and its Annual World Congress. The president of IPMA for 2007-2008 is Veikko Velila. Additional information is available at www.ipma.ch.

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PMI EMEA Leaders Hold Successful Region 8 and 12
Leadership Meeting in Budapest

Reported by PMF correspondent Manfred Rieck from Budapest, Hungary

The Project Management Institute (PMI®) held its EMEA (Europe Middle East Africa region) Leadership Meeting in Budapest, Hungary during May 12-13, 2007, just prior to the PMI EMEA 2007 Global Congress. The meeting was a valuable platform for discussing the many region-related activities and issues. At the Region 8 & 12 session, attended by this correspondent, the two component regional “mentors” reflected on their Region 8 & 12 meetings held in advance to the congress and introduced :

• the mentoring plan,

• the team charter developed during the Region 8 Meeting and

• the model for PMI Chapter with branches.

The mentoring plan includes the goal of the component mentors to align the components with the PMI Strategic Plan and to deliver 2 regional events, 4 regional telephone conferences, 6 component visits and daily support for the components. In the team charter the way for working together was defined, which is fundamentally based on trust. Looking for the model of Chapter with branches, several questions from the audience made it obvious that the request for this model was urgently needed.

Maciej Bodych, PMP and President from Poland Chapter introduced the proof of concept they had on a Chapter with branches and gave deep insights into the issues they had faced. It was interesting to hear about the need for a new role called ‘Vice President Branches Coordinator’ and not to forget the difficulties to find an adequate logo for the chapter out of 40 propositions. As he said everybody became an expert on this topic overnight.

In the open discussion at the Region 8 & 12 session good thoughts were made, to be reflected upon by PMI for further investigation, like an EMEA bookstore to avoid high shipping costs, a keynote speaker list like Clearinghouse for EMEA, strong interaction of components, and EMEA support center for planned PMI booths.

 

 

Furthermore it was mentioned that some days before the EMEA Leadership Institute meeting took place, the project management topic celebrated a 50th anniversary re May 7, 1957 when CPM (critical path method) was used for the first time. This led to the proposal to celebrate an “International Project Management Day” every first Thursday of November – which would be November 1st this year.

 

 

 

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GAPPS Set to Become the "Linux of Project/Program Management"
Update from the Global Alliance for Project Performance Standards (GAPPS) Meeting in Den Haag, Netherlands, May 2-4, 2007.

Reported by Paul Giammalvo from Jakarta, Indonesia

“GAPPS has been positioned to become the Linux of project/program management competency development”. So stated Dr. Lynn Crawford at the recent GAPPS Working Session #11, held at Shell International BV, The Hague, Netherlands, sponsored by Shell Project Academy http://sww.gs.shell.com/projectacademy/ and hosted by Peter Zimmerman, Institute Alliance Manager, May 2-4, 2007.

For new readers to the PM Forum, to recap briefly, GAPPS is an INDEPENDENT competency standard (not aligned with any specific Body of Knowledge or Methodology) which anyone can use to benchmark their internal or external certifications for the purposes of continuous improvement, transferability and reciprocity.

Contrary to some misperceptions, GAPPS is NOT merely another competitor to PMI, AACE, PRINCE2, IPMA, AIPM or any other organization or institution. The GAPPS competency standard, which has been put in the “public domain” under “GNU” or “Copyleft Licensing”, has been designed to enable governments, professional organizations or companies to compare the plethora of certifications in project/program management against an independent, non-aligned standard. This approach is designed to enable transferability and reciprocal recognition of credentials around the world.

As she introduced GAPPS to new and old participants attending the meeting in Den Hague, Dr. Lynn Crawford characterized the organization as “the Linux of project/program management competency development”. To continue the analogy so effectively expressed by Dr. Crawford, GAPPS participants ask others to consider: Is it better in the long term for a standard to be created in the “public domain” (e.g. Linux or Wikipedia) or is it preferable for a single or commercial, for profit entity to establish the defacto standard? For a multitude of reasons, many in the project/program community of practice believe that an independent standard is the more sustainable approach, especially so for the developing nations to support achieving the UN’s 2015 targeted Millennium Development Goals (MDG) http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/ .

Click here for PDF of the entire Report

 

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