Project management is the process of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling resources to achieve specific goals. Project managers are responsible for initiating and leading projects, coordinating resources, and ensuring that deadlines are met. To do this, project managers must be able to direct and motivate people, have good organizational and time management skills, and have excellent communication skills.
Project management can be applied to a variety of fields. Project management is most widely used in the manufacturing sector, where most of the processes are repetitive and can be improved by using project management.
Project management in manufacturing is often referred to as "conversion" or "value stream" management, as it is aimed at improving the efficiency of a process. It has been widely applied in the automotive industry, with its origins in the 1980s.
Project management techniques were developed to meet the challenges of large-scale projects, such as those required by the US government during World War II. The project management approach was developed by the US Department of Defense, and applied to all projects, including those that were not military in nature.
The first project management standard was issued by the US Department of Defense in 1957, and the second version was released in 1965. This standard was called "DoD-STD-6001". In 1968, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) formed a committee to create a US national standard for project management. The committee members were from both government and private industry. The committee issued the first version of the "Project Management Body of Knowledge" (PMBOK) in 1969. The second version was released in 1976.
In the 1980s, project management was recognized as a separate discipline, and the PMP certification was developed. In 1989, the Project Management Institute (PMI) was formed, and the PMBOK was updated in 1994. In 2002, the PMBOK was updated to the third edition.
The PMBOK is the most widely recognized standard for project management. It is a guide for project managers, and provides the basis for many other standards and certifications. The PMBOK is a guide that provides general guidelines for managing projects. It provides a process framework that can be used to manage projects in any industry.
PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a credential for those who have a general understanding of project management, but do not have the experience required for the PMP certification.
The PMP certification is the most widely recognized certification for project managers. It is recognized by many organizations and governments, including the European Union. It is based on the PMBOK, and requires candidates to pass a test to demonstrate their knowledge.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) exam is a computer-based test that is available in English, French and Spanish. It has 200 multiple-choice questions, and candidates have four hours in which to complete the exam. The exam is based on the PMBOK, and covers all of its knowledge areas.
The PMP certification is valid for three years. To maintain the certification, candidates must earn 60 PDUs every three years. PDUs can be earned by attending conferences, completing online training courses or teaching project management to others.
The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a credential for those who have a general understanding of project management, but do not have the experience required for the PMP certification. It is an entry-level certification, and is recognized by many organizations and governments, including the European Union. The CAPM exam is computer-based, and has 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have two hours in which to complete the exam. The exam is based on the PMBOK, and covers all of its knowledge areas.
The CAPM certification is valid for three years. To maintain the certification, candidates must earn 40 PDUs every three years. PDUs can be earned by attending conferences, completing online training courses or teaching project management to others.
The Project Management in Government (PMI-G) credential is a project management certification aimed at project managers working in government organisations. It is based on the PMBOK, and requires candidates to pass a test to demonstrate their knowledge. The exam is a computer-based test, and has 100 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have two hours in which to complete the exam. The exam is based on the PMBOK, and covers all of its knowledge areas.