Project Management 2027: The Future of Project Management

Abstract

This chapter describes a study into the expected development of the competences of the project manager in the year 2027. The study was performed amongst the members of IPMA-The Netherlands during the summer of 2007. In the study the 46 competences of the International Competence Baseline 3 (ICB 3) were tested against the expectations of the respondents for the development of project management. Based on four scenarios for the future of Europe, the members indicated which of the competences are expected to become more important, equally important or less important than today. The aim of the study was to provide insight in the expected future development of the project management competences. This goal is relevant for both practitioners and educators.The conclusions are that the study shows indications that project management is developing from an ‘occupation’ into a true ”profession”. Part of this development is a broader orientation of the project manager in which especially the competences related to the relationship of the project with its environment grow strongly in importance.

Key Terms in this Chapter

Scenario: A plausible and consistent potential future situation.

Project: A project is a time and cost constrained operation to realise a set of defined deliverables (the scope tofulfil the project’s objectives) up to quality standards and requirements.

Project Manager: The person responsible for the management of a project.

ICB3: International Competence Baseline version 3.0 as published by the International Project Management Association in June 2006. The ICB3 provides an overview of project management competences.

Competence: Competence is the demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and/or skills, and, where relevant, demonstrated personal attributes