Project Management: A Profession or a Leadership Discipline? (Part 1)

  Diversity   Governance   Organizational Culture  

The recent debate and discussion fostered at gantthead.com on whether project management is a profession is indeed timely and important. Research by a leading IT placement firm (Robert Half Technology)--reported on in "2005 Hiring and Salary Outlook" by Katherine Spencer Lee in Certification Magazine-- has found that the 2005 hiring outlook is very bright for project management, as CIOs turn to project managers to help minimize time/cost overruns and manage existing technology investments. This might well be the beginning of a marked shift in entrusting internal technology investment and management in the hands of project managers, along with the line managers who have respective domain responsibilities.

In his recent columns on gantthead.com, Mark Mullaly  has expounded on aspects of individual accountability, liability and education; associations and professional bodies; and organizational impact. I would like to dwell on a few more aspects that will provide further food for thought, and engage our collective attention on whether project management is indeed a profession.

It is without a doubt that project managers--by nature of their role, responsibility and accountability--are considered to be front-line professionals. Their judgment, decision-making and directions are considered in good faith. Influence on fiduciary responsibilities and cross-functional personnel …

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