A Practitioner Based Evaluation of Project Management Knowledge and Education: The Australian Case

Project Management Practice

Recognized project management practice appears to have its roots in the defence industry spreading to construction, manufacturing and IT sectors (Walmsley, 1996). Burke (2010) contends that most of the early project management tools reflected a focus on the scheduling and costing aspects of project management. The emphasis on scheduling was described by Weaver (2007, p. 4) as the ‘genesis of modern project management’. Dinsmore and Cabanis-Brewin (2006) argue that the legacy which emphasised the scientific nature of project management as compared to the art of project management left its mark by defining the attributes of a good project manager for many years to come. During the late 20^th century, project management practice grew as a comprehensive body of knowledge and was presented through a set of ‘processes, skills, tools and techniques that have a significant impact on project success’ (PMI, 2008, p. 4).