International Project Manager Association (IPMA)

&
Project Management Institute (PMI)

1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 About PMI
Project Management Institute is the world's leading not-for-profit professional membership
association for the project, program and portfolio management profession. Founded in 1969,
PMI delivers value for more than 2.9 million professionals working in nearly every country in
the world through global advocacy, collaboration, education and research. PMI advances careers,
improves organizational success and further matures the profession of project management
through its globally recognized standards, certifications, resources, tools, academic research,
publications, professional development courses, and networking opportunities.
As part of the PMI family, Human Systems International (HSI) provides organizational
assessment and benchmarking services to leading businesses and government, while
ProjectManagement.com and ProjectsAtWork.com create online global communities that deliver
more resources, better tools, larger networks and broader perspectives.
The Project Management Institute (PMI) was formally incorporated in Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania in 1969 with five volunteers in the field of project management working together
to advance the practice, science and profession of project management. After its incorporation,
PMI organized the first symposium in Atlanta, Georgia. 83 people attended the symposium.
Mission:
To promote the profession of project and program management among our members and within
our communities; offer opportunities to educate, connect, and develop leaders of today and
tomorrow.
Vision:
To Serve Our Members and Promote Exceptional Project Management.

1.2 About IPMA

The International Project Management Association (IPMA) is a non-profit organization, whose
function is to be the prime promoter of project, program and portfolio management (PM)
internationally.
IPMA started in 1965, under its former name "Internet International Project Management
Organization" (INTERNET), as a forum for the exchange of experience amongst project
managers of international projects. It hosted its first international conference in 1967 in Vienna,
and since that time has developed steadily, as indeed has the discipline of project management
itself.
Vision:
To be the leading organization for public human resources.
IPMA Mission:
To provide human resource leadership and advocacy, professional development, information and
services to enhance organizational and individual performance in the public sector.

2.0 HISTORY
2.1 PMI history
The Project Management Institute was founded in 1969 by five volunteers. The Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania USA issued Articles of Incorporation for PMI which signified the official
inception of the organization.
In the 1970s the first issue of Project Management Quarterly (PMQ) was published and later
renamed Project Management Journal (PMJ). The first Annual Seminars & Symposium was held
outside of the USA, the first PMI Chapter was chartered and the PMI Professional Awards
Program was established. By the end of the decade PMI membership totaled over 2,000
individuals worldwide.
During the 1980s, PMIs membership, programs and services continued to grow. A Code of
Ethics was adopted for the profession and the first Project Management Professional (PMP)
Certification examination was administered. The first PMI project management standard was
published as the PMQ Special Report on Ethics Standards and Accreditation.

By the beginning of the 21st century, PMI had over 50,000 members, over 10,000 certified
Project Management Professionals and over 270,000 copies of the PMBOK Guide in circulation.

Project Manager Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)

The PMBOK Guide
PMBOK Guide is an acronym for A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge. It
is the single most important publication by the PMI for PMP aspirants to study and prepare for
the PMP Exam.
Most PMP Certification aspirants have the misconception that the PMBOK Guide is the syllabus
for the PMP Exam. In fact, the exam syllabus for the PMP Certification is outlined in the PMP
Exam Content Outline. While there are many exam topics in the PMP Exam Content Outline
covered by the PMBOK Guide, PMI has made it clear that the exam syllabus is not bound by
the PMBOK Guide. The relationship between the PMBOK Guide and PMP Exam Content
Outline is described in details in this article.
The first ever PMBOK Guide was published in 1996. Each subsequent edition was introduced to
supersede the previous version as new best practices and standards are continually introduced
and the organization of the PMBOK Guide becomes more systematic. The current edition of the
PMBOK Guide is the fifth edition.

PMBOK Guide 1st Edition [1996]

The first ever edition of the PMBOK Guide was first published in 1996 by PMI. PMI saw a need
to put together an official document and guide to advance the development of the project
management profession. It initiated a project in 1981 to develop the procedures and concepts
necessary to support the development of the project management as a profession. In 1983, a
special report titled the Ethics, Standards, and Accreditation Committee Final Report was
published and the guideline for the Project Management Professional Certification was also
created (the first ever PMP certification was awarded in 1984). Finally after extensive
consultation and revision, the PMBOK Guide (A Guide to the Project Management Body of
Knowledge) was published in 1996 to supersede the previous documents. This was known as the
PMBOK Guide 1st Edition.

PMBOK Guide 2nd Edition [2000]

In 2000, the second edition of the PMBOK Guide was published. It was based on the work in the
PMBOK Guide 1st Edition. New materials reflecting the growth of the project management
profession were included in the new edition. It aimed to include knowledge and practices that
were generally accepted in the field of project management that were useful and valuable to most
projects. Errors in the previous edition were also corrected.
PMBOK Guide 3rd Edition [2004]
The third edition of the PMBOK Guide was published in 2004. After the publication of the
PMBOK Guide 2nd Edition, thousands of recommendations for improvements of the PMBOK
Guide were received by the PMI. The PMI formed an editorial committee to review each
recommendation and tried to incorporate the suggestions into the new PMBOK Guide as
appropriate. One major change to the PMBOK Guide in this edition is to evaluate project
management practices based on generally recognized as good practice on most projects most of
the time. This essentially means that the project management practices included in the PMBOK
Guide would be useful to most projects.
PMBOK Guide 4th Edition [2009]
The fourth edition of the PMBOK Guide was published in 2009, five years after the publication
of the PMBOK Guide 3rd Edition. This edition aimed to make contents the PMBOK Guide more
consistent and accessible. Clear distinction between the project management plan and project
documents was made. The widely recognized triple constraints for project management were
expanded to six, namely, scope, quality, schedule, budget, resources and risk. New processes
were added while obsolete processes were deleted.
PMBOK Guide 5th Edition [2013]
The current PMBOK Guide the fifth Edition was released in 2013. This edition also attempts to
include advancements in the field of project management, in particular, rolling wave planning
and adaptive lifecycle, in its contents. Most PMP Certification aspirants would read the PMBOK
Guide during their PMP exam preparation.

2.2 IPMA History

It all begun in the year 1964. A European aircraft project manager, Pierre Koch of France, invited
Dick Vullinghs from The Netherlands and Roland Gutsch from Germany to discuss the benefits
of the Critical Path Method (CPM) as a management approach. CPM showed a way to manage
large projects with international sponsors, uncertain results as well as with complex influences
and dependencies from different technical disciplines. This group was chaired by Yves Eugene
from AFIRO (Association Franaise dInformatique et de Recherche Oprationnelle). Professor
Arnold Kaufmann suggested the formation of an INTERnational NETwork, the INTERNET.
In 1965, this group of people founded the IMSA (International Management Systems
Association), independent from companies and officially located in Switzerland, the most
respected and politically neutral country in Western Europe in these days of the Cold War. Two
years later the Czechoslovak Project Management Science Group issued invitations to join the
first all-state conference on the Methods of Network Analysis in Prague. PhD Vladimira
Machova was the host beside the political officials in those days. Then, with the sponsorship of
the International Computer Centre in Rome, managed by Professor Claude Berge, the first
International World Congress took place in Vienna. From then on INTERNET was the official
association name.
In 1967, the two-year-old INTERNET society held its first International European Internet
Congress in Vienna.
In 1989, Advanced Courses for advancing competences of experts in project, programme and
portfolio management are launched.
In 1996, the 13th World Congress (1996) was held in Paris. INTERNET got a namesake a new
international telecommunication system. The Executive Board (ExBo) renamed INTERNET to
International Project Management Association, IPMA (our third and current name), but retained
the logo.
In 1998, IPMA starts with certification of individuals and the1 st version of ICB, v.1.0. is being
published.
In 2002, IPMA launches on the market the IPMA International Project Excellence Award.
In 2012, IPMA offers organizational assessment and certification through IPMA Delta.
In 2015, IPMA brings out Strategy 2020.

3.0 MEMBERSHIP
3.1 PMI Membership
In a word, dedication. PMI membership signifies that youre serious about your project
management career and your professional development. It highlights this dedication to
employers, colleagues and stakeholders, giving you an edge in the job market. It also provides
you with access to valuable knowledge, networks and resources that help you improve and
advance.
For every member that registered to the PMI membership are eligible to the benefit to gain
exclusive access to PMI publications and global standards, plus networking opportunities
throughProjectManagement.com and PMI chapters. Some other benefits are to receive discounts
on training, events, certification exams and renewals. From the number of members tripled to
260,000 members from 150 countries in 2008. The membership in 2015 exceeds 467,000 in 204
countries.

Member Registration
One of the easiest method to become a member of PMI is to register online at the Official Project
Management Institute website: http://www.pmi.org/membership/become-a-member.aspx. Below
are the steps to become a member that described on the website.
Step 1: Log In or Register
If you are not already logged in, log in or register to continue checking out
Step 2: Select a membership type below and add it to your shopping cart
Select from Individual, Student, or Retiree membership types
Step 3: Checkout
Checkout to enter your information and purchase your membership
Step 4: Finish entering your information

3.2 IPMA membership

Membership in the International Practice Management Association is available to paralegal
managers and other practice support managers in law firms, corporations, government, judicial,
or legal agencies. Membership is also available to those individuals who may be otherwise

involved in practice support management, or who serve as providers of services and products of
interest to practice support managers.
IPMA Member Associations (MAs) is the ultimate governing body of IPMA, with IPMA serving
as a gathering-point for nations. MAs are the prime contacts for all those interested in effective
project and program management, in your country.
This audience includes professional project managers, managers and executives, key project
stakeholders, educators, trainers, consultants, and other product or service providers. Some
benefits of joining are, more successful projects, program, and business initiatives, based on the
competences that IPMA uniquely emphasizes and supports.
Comparison between PMI Membership and IPMA Membership
Based on their official website for PMI and IPMA, person that wishes to become a member can
register as a member from the website. Moreover, every member that join can have the many
benefits such as training, events, support and guidance.

4.0 TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP

4.1 PMI
There are three major types of membership in PMI which are Individual, Student and Retiree.

Individual
The individual membership is open to the public. It is suitable for persons that involves
projects or project management work, and simply for anyone that want to learn more
about them.

Student
PMI memberships aren't just for working project practitioners. If you are enrolled full
time in a degree-granting program at a college or university that has U.S. accreditation, or
the global equivalent, a PMI student membership may be right for you.

Retiree
Your enthusiasm for project management doesn't have to end when you stop working. If
you have been a PMI member in good standing for five consecutive years and have

retired from active employment, you can take advantage of a discounted retiree
membership and stay involved with the profession.

4.2 IPMA
There are several types of IPMA membership, based on your companys mission and your role
within the company as well as the number of individuals who have joined or wish to join.

Vendor
Associate membership is for persons who are employed by a company that produces or
sells supplies, equipment or services to in-house corporate publishing and distribution
facilities and are directly or indirectly responsible for developing, planning, marketing or
selling those materials or services.

Student
Open to student who wishes to join, the applicant must provide prove of student.

In-Plant Manager
Regular Membership is for persons who are employed by or manage in-house/corporate
publishing or distribution services or a department of in-house corporate publishing and
distribution services for and within a parent organization.
Persons whose primary role is Teachers of graphics, printing &/or mailing curriculum at
secondary schools, colleges or universities or is a full-time student are also eligible for
regular membership at a discounted fee. (Contact IPMA for more information)

IPMA certification
The IPMA four level certification program is world leading and professionally demanding.
Based on our findings, at the end of 2014 there were approximately 250,000 IPMA certificants
worldwide; nearly 75,000 of them are Advanced Competence-based, professionally-assessed
certifications in IPMAs 4-L-C, Four-Level Certification system.
These include IPMA Level A (Certified Projects Director), IPMA Level B (Certified Senior
Project Manager) or IPMA Level C (Certified Project Manager). These certificates are
noteworthy, as the demand from executives, strategic leaders, managers and stakeholders for
individuals
with demonstrated
Project,
Program
and
Portfolio Management
competence spreads globally.

The remaining 65% of our certified individuals are IPMA Level D (Certified Project
Management Associate). This designation is similar to the exam-oriented, knowledge-based
certifications of other major Project Management associations. In the IPMA approach, this
certification is the best first step towards a professional project or program manager role
demonstrating the individuals ability to understand the basics of project management.
Understanding Competence: Today, more than ever, everyone is demanding improved results
from their project, program, and portfolio initiatives. And others are now beginning to
understand the importance of broad competences, which include behavioral and contextual areas.
IPMA helps a range of practitioner roles to explore essential knowledge foundations, then
expand beyond knowledge, to achieve PM competence, and project results.
Certify Individuals: PM competence and certification have become key driving forces for
individuals. The IPMA Four-Level-Certification system (4-L-C) addresses this need by providing
a consistent process for the assessment and recognition of PM competence.
Certify PM Consultants: Understanding the importance of competent PM consultants, IPMA
Member Associations offer an assessment of the competences required. PM consultants
contribute to positioning and strengthening the ability of organizations to initiate, plan, execute
and evaluate projects, programs and portfolios.
Certify Organizations: Organizations certify your individuals to help them achieve their
personal aspirations and to assure delivery of needed business results. IPMA Delta is an
organizational project maturity assessment and certification, identifying actions needed to
achieve better business results.
Certification Success Stories IPMA Member Associations certify professionals in their end-toend competence in their actual roles. Read the testimonials of this enthusiastic group, who have
benefited from the certifications offered by IPMAs member nations.

5.0 CONCLUSION
To begin with both certifications are globally recognized and hold significance. The PMI (Project
Management Institute) are American based and IPMA (International Project Management
Association) are European based. While, PMI certification is knowledge based and requires
practical experience of leading and directing projects, on the other hand IPMA certification is
gained by passing A, B & C levels, which are competency based. Also, in case of IPMA one
needs to submit evidence regarding holding of project management experience, in addition to a 2
hour interview. Based on our research on IPMA and PMI history, we also find out that IPMA
inception is older than PMP and it is one of the oldest Project Management