Will Project Management ever stop evolving?

"Volunteers are the fuel for the NGO engine, as much as money is the fuel for for-profits." Couldn't agree more as tenacious volunteers driving the cause would bring the PMI closer to its vision.

I believe the PMI isn't under any true endangerment due to how established it is but rather where other project management bodies such as the IPMA can surpass it in size, scope, and influence and potentially replace them as the core representative for project management. It is impossible for one organization to consolidate a practice. Unfortunately, another scenario where the project management bodies emulate the current model of the PMI basically becomes carbon copies of each other. The future is fluid, not static.

If that is the attempt from the PMI I see nothing but disaster. An endangerment where the PMI crashes and burns are the worst-case scenarios. Plausible but not realistic. Hopefully, it doesn't happen...

Moreover, if the for-profit motives continue I would not be surprised if they simply buy their competition or relegate to collaborative partnerships to keep their relevance. Or both

Furthermore, the prospect of the next CEO bringing back the PMI where it should be is ideal but if the for-profit schemes are already infused in the organization, what stops the boards and executives from simply refusing or eliminating the beneficial changes made after the CEOs reign?

I agree with the point on the lack of utility and the hijacking of the agilistas. I do see the value of the agile principles and manifesto but I can't shake the feeling that I am being sold on something rather than the actual innovation and development of the practice. The constant push for agile and the message portrays project management as such as a dim-witted child until the grand discovery of the magic pill that will change everything. Frankly, it did not produce the effect as the PMI desired. The preachy and evangelical tone is dialed up to 100 and forced in some aspects. Not inherently a bad tone but this focus could be put on volunteering which you indicated is a core principle of successful NGOs.

The agile method is great but by all means not a panacea.

For the risk of sounding cliche, I don't put my eggs in one basket so I always keep abreast of the current ongoing activities that are not the PMI. From what I have observed, they have many attractive offerings and initiatives.

A case of spiked financial prosperity with the cost of abandoning the core values and principles. It sounds like the PMI is metamorphosing into a different entity from what you are saying. The higher-ups may not see it as jeopardizing as the financial figures, revenues, and contribution to the bottom line says a different story.

Regarding the ethics debate, the PMI code of conduct and ethics is simply a standard document for acceptable and unacceptable behavior for project management professionals. Which isn't enforced and there isn't some sort of PMI police force to charge those that do. Are the higher-ups going to report themselves when they break their own rules? I highly doubt that.

I don't disagree however you can't provide service without revenue. The problem starts when there is opportunity to generate more revenue than is required to provide that service and the leadership forgets, or misinterprets, the prime objective.

I disagreed with PMI's business model over 20 years ago and have not been a member since however that does not stop me from using PMI's ideas and documentation and applying it to my management efforts as I deem appropriate.

I looked up PMI's mission statement: "To provide project management education, mentorship, networking, knowledge, and support to practitioners and organizations." (no limitation to membership)

I consider myself a practitioner and thus feel entitled to continue to benefit from the organization.

The fact that you haven't been a member for over 20 years says a lot about the ailing problem. The reveals that things you have observed are unacceptable in your book.

The PMI offerings are by no means insignificant but it comes at a trade-off where potential members(Which all NGOs need) are turned off due to what you just described. Especially those that could bring much-needed change.

Solely extraction of the ideas and documentation( A forced hand due to PMI's actions) stifles the promise of a growing and impactful community of professionals. A position that the PMI has sadly put themselves in. I wonder what the future holds.

Well, I was on the PMI Ethics Review Committee for 6 years which could be seen as ethics enforcement. They get ethics complaints (from anyone) about misbehaviors, prosecute violators (who signed up to adhere to the code like members) and hold hearings that could and do end with sanctions.

I see but how broad are its oversight and scope? Can the Ethics Review Committee account for and address complaints from numerous countries at a time? Wouldn't there be a backlog of sorts where complaints take a long time to be addressed?

Stephen,

sorry for causing this misunderstanding: I am a member since 1992.

The 20 years referred to PMI‘s stalling number of its volunteers which is about 10k since 20 years, during which time members and certificate holders multiplied. They bring revenue.

Thomas, I think Peter was referring to PMI's business model in what he said.

"I disagreed with PMI's business model over 20 years ago and have not been a member since however that does not stop me from using PMI's ideas and documentation and applying it to my management efforts as I deem appropriate."

I do recall in a previous thread about the lack of growth in volunteering numbers in the PMI so I am aware of that fact.