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Running Head: IS PROJECT MANAGEMENT A PROFESSION

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Introduction

A discussion between scholars is going on about the topic of is project management a

profession or not. Are these project managers considered professionals as per those who are

doctors, lawyers and engineers?

The project management is still considered something unique and this study will give

priceless information on how project management has evolved as something that can nearly

be called a profession and how it contributes through projects with the help of project

managers.

Professional project managers are appointed in many organizations in Malaysia to help

them provide the needed key performance index. Improper application of fundamental projectmanagement principles is the cause of most failures in projects. The function and motif of this

study is to answer the question, is project management a profession?

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The Project Manager as a Professional Person

Jeffery (1985) mentioned that new project managers must gain experience through

aspects of including engineering from feasibility studies of design, planning and estimating to

construction, commissioning and operation. Not only that, a project manager must also have

the knowledge of contractual, legal and commercial sides of the engineering and construction

industry.

Basic knowledge of management must also be available in a project manager.

Important topics such as financial management, accounting, procurement, sales, marketing,

contracts, manufacturing, distribution, logistics, the supply chain, strategic planning, tactical

planning, operations management, organizational structures and behavior, personnel

administration, compensation, benefits, career paths and health and safety practices. For some

projects, a project manager can appoint someone else other than himself to manage some of

these areas to a team member, support staff or even a supplier. Even with such authority, a

project manager must be experienced enough to be able to see which area requires a more

focus and requires for effort and a more qualified person to handle. A project manager must

also take responsibilities to all key project decisions. (Schwalbe, An Introduction to Project

Management, 2012)

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Professionalization of Project Management

Tavares (2008) explained that the professionalization process refers to the method of

which an occupation alters its situation and becomes a profession by acquiring professional

characteristics. This is driven by the professionalization project, demarcated as the mixture of

expectations, aspirations, desires and representations regarding the future as expressed by the

specific occupation and its members.

Morris, Crawford, Hodgson, Shepherd, and Thomas (2006) stated that the gaining of

knowledge of professionalization or the path to professional status involves consideration of

both what a profession should be as per its traits and the process of which these attributes are

obtained. Professions have long been studied in sociology as a different way of regulating

work in a positive way.

Project management has followed somewhat a similar path. Project managements

professional associations began in the late 1960s or early 1970s initially to exchange

information and ideas largely through channels which includes conferences, seminars,

journals and magazines. In the mid 1970s, the Project Management Institute (PMI) started

embarking on programs that certifies people that meets that standard of specific knowledge

required.

The view on project management whether it is a separate profession or management or

engineering sub-special is reflected in the educational models currently in place. Project

management is mostly agreed to be a cross discipline or a cross profession rather than a full

pledge profession. If project management is to be seen in this manner, it is required to have

technical competence, management knowledge, project management competence, knowledge

of certain tools and techniques such as Critical Path Method, Earned Value Analysis, network

diagram, work breakdown structure and social skills which includes communication,

negotiation, leadership and facilitation. ( Brgoanu & Dobrescu , 2006)

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Conclusion

From the clear and fair discussion points, these tasks have shown that project

management is currently not a profession. As existing evidence gathered from debates and

arguments which has been conducted recently, it is likely that this occupation will never be a

full pledged profession but will remain as a semi-profession.

Even though that project management is yet to be a profession, it does not imply that

the industry does not need professional managers that are able to initiate, plan, execute,

control and close projects. By comparing with other professions such as medicine and law,

what is missing a proper channel to provide license, well established practices and a

controlled job name. Many experts have claimed that project management will become a

profession one day but there is still ongoing debate on whether it will ever become one

legally.

If the rising profession of project management is to one day become a full profession,

more attention must be given to specific knowledge and education areas. The field of study in

these areas goes far beyond the issue of project management. With the development of special

knowledge areas specified for project management and by increasing the stature, usefulness

and originality of project management research can one day help project management to be areal full profession.

If or if not project management will ever become a true profession, it will always

remain as an emerging profession in which its discipline or techniques will be called as

project management for the coming days. As time progressed, we will better understand with

clearer better definitions of the said field where with unique techniques and tasks, the people

will better understand the importance of project management in the industry.