Are Meeting Managers Project Managersor a Brilliant Blend?

22nd MEA National Conference7 April 2009

Chivonne WattUniversity of Technology, Sydney

Agenda Introduction

Professions

Project Management Associations

Bodies of Knowledge and Standards

Education

Regulations

Conclusions

Discussion

IntroductionThe professions….

Formal acquisition of knowledge

Standard practices and regulations

ProfessionsDefinitions

Profession

Professional Services

Practitioner

Characteristics

History, public service, body of knowledge, education, ie to be accountable to the community

Project Management AssociationsSelf-regulation

Through organised associations, such as AIPM, APM, IPMA, PMI

All contribute to the project management community and have codes of conduct

Lacking substantial history

Bodies of Knowledge and StandardsBodies of Knowledge

Delimit the intellectual parameters of a profession

Provide academic rigour and the degree of skill required

Competency Standards

A measure of an individual’s ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge in the workplace

EducationTechnicians

VET sector, ie Cert IV, Diploma, Adv Diploma

Advanced Learning

Reflective practice at a post graduate level

Find, retrieve and process knowledge

Professional associations provide knowledge sharing opportunities

RegulationsThe Law

Duty according to country of practice, eg SOX legislation

Insurance

Type based on job classification which is limited by the Census

ConclusionsProfessional status requires:

Collective, consistent approach by individuals

Associations to monitor against standards

Governments to regulate legal responsibilities

Educators to encourage knowledge transfer

DiscussionWhat defines a Project Manager role?

Do you consider Meeting Managers could redefine themselves as Project Managers? Do you think that Meeting Managers would be accepted as legitimate Project Managers by other members of the professional associations?

What are the key differentiations between Project Managers – qualifications, accreditation and/or experience?

Are there any specific standards that we would need to adhere to?

DiscussionWhat staff development or qualifications are usually recommended for those wanting to become Project Managers?

Do Project Managers usually have staff management responsibilities or do they work more on their own as the manager of the project rather than people?

What are the main software tools used by Project Managers - a ‘Project Manager’ type software or are there other integrated financial packages?

DiscussionHow important are budgets and timelines to the work of Project Managers?

How do Project Managers charge for their time? Is it usually at an hourly rate?

Do Project Managers usually get paid for every hour they work like lawyers or do they work on fixed price contracts, estimated six or twelve months in advance? Are disbursements usually invoiced separately or included in hourly rates?

DiscussionWhat industries have Project Managers apart from IT, Engineering and Construction?

Within each industry sector e.g. IT or engineering are there industry accepted or recommended rates of charging? If so are these made available publically?

Are contract variations common in other industries? How are they normally handled?

What ethical issues face Project Managers in other industries?

Questions?

Chivonne.watt@uts.edu.au

0401 993 198

“No man ever reached to excellence in any one art or profession without having passed through the slow and painful process of study and preparation.”

Horace 65-8BC